The Lilacs have issued an official statement today that sees them postpone their UK headline tour due to guitarist Sam Birchall being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“It’s with sadness that I have to announce this news to you all…after a recent downturn in health & undergoing various tests I have been diagnosed with testicular cancer. After starting this band with Ollie all those years ago, and in fact naming the band after ‘The Lilac Centre’ since my mum sadly passed away with cancer, this all seems ironic and a huge shock to myself and us all. With this in mind, my personal health and wellbeing must come first and I will be starting my ongoing treatment immediately.”
The Lilacs join fellow Wigan bands Lottery Winners and The Lathums in continuing to prove that the current north-west indie scene is blossoming. The Lilacs show that they have everything needed to be the region’s next great hopes as they share the new EP ‘The 395 (To Forever)’. The EP is their biggest project to date and their first release for the Manchester label Scruff of the Neck.
As demonstrated by the recent singles ‘You’re Not That Daft’, ‘Calling It A Night’ and ‘Where You’ve Been Hiding’, The Lilacs excel at capturing the vibe of what it means to be growing up in a small town: both the hope and hopes, but also the bittersweet moments too. The band wrap these stories in songs rich with bright, boisterous melodies and soaring, anthemic hooks which are perfectly suited for fans to holler those hooks right back with life-affirming intensity at them during live shows. Ollie Angelsea’s lyrics capture the essence of young adult life, from big nights out to faltering relationships, through to those friendships which mean everything.
