A few years back, my wife and I had never even heard of The Lilacs. To us, they were just another name buried in the fittingly-chaotic Isle of Wight Festival lineup.

We spend the build-up to that hectic weekend weighing clashes and finding the perfect run of sets. But this one felt different. Hotly tipped by the festival, they’d been handed multiple slots through the weekend. Seemingly a quiet nudge to pay them attention.

It felt natural to see them, so we did. We had no expectations, instead we were full of curiosity and the buzz of the festival. Within minutes of their set, we were blown away. Without even speaking the words, we both knew we’d found a favourite, and also couldn’t believe we hadn’t seen them before.

We went back again that same festival, and at festivals to come. Then at their headline shows more locally to us. It seems like fate we stumbled into their set that day.

Something clicked immediately. Maybe it’s the high-energy riffs, the melodically gravelled vocals or the indie-club style rhythm section. Whatever it was grabbed us instantly, and it hasn’t let us go since.

This is what makes a new single release from The Lilacs feel so special in this house. We know it’s something we’re going to play on car journeys, at BBQ’s and who knows where else, even before we’ve even heard it.

‘Girl Behind The Bar’ is a classic song from The Lilacs. Its heady hook nestles itself in your mind after a single listen. It features an undeniable narrative, telling the tale of a carefree youth that’s replicated in every town and city across the country. As The Killers blares out the jukebox, you become instantly infatuated with the girl behind the bar.

This release comes after the band caused an avalanche of anticipation when they announced that their long-awaited debut album ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ will be released on October 2nd. Both the album and the single are out via Manchester’s renowned independent label ‘Scruff Of The Neck’.

Vocalist/guitarist Ollie Anglesea says,

“‘Girl Behind the Bar’ was the first song I wrote shortly after coming back from the Isle of Wight Festival in 2025, so as you can imagine it’s filled with nothing but good vibes! I think this release really sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s direct, it’s in your face and I’m certain this will become a fan favourite.”

‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ is the sound of The Lilacs stepping up to the next level. They’ve raised the bar with songwriting that sparkles with bigger earworm choruses than ever before, and their tour-honed musicianship has clearly evolved. And they have the dedication, heart and soul to match – all within the instantly relatable coming-of-age stories that fans have come to love.

As with the rest of the upcoming album, ‘Girl Behind The Bar’ was produced by Joe Cross (Courteneers, Hurts) and recorded at sessions split between Manchester and Paris. The single is one of eight new songs to feature on ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses‘, which is completed by fresh recordings of fan favourites and live staples ‘Grace’ and ‘Vicarage Road’.

The album is available to pre-order via the bands website, offering a CD, cream vinyl and signed lilac galaxy vinyl with alternate black artwork. There’s also a new bucket hat on offer. The first 500 orders of any physical album format will be rewarded with a signed art print. Meanwhile, select indie stores have an exclusive red cornetto vinyl with a signed obi strip, packaged in alternate red artwork.

Formed in Wigan by Ollie Anglesea and Sam Birchall (guitar), The Lilacs are completed by Matt Johnson (bass) and Dave Gomersall (drums). They debuted early in 2019 with ‘Vicarage Road’ and have been building a grassroots following ever since, winning further fans with ‘Grace’ in 2023 and scoring a Top 10 on the Independent Albums Chart with ‘The 395 (To Forever)’ EP in 2025.

They’ve played shows with Lottery Winners and The Lathums and hit countless festivals from Isle of Wight to Truck. And that has been rewarded with ever-bigger headline shows, so far peaking with a sold-out 2700-capacity headline show in Manchester.

Their ascension so far hasn’t been without challenges however. Sam Birchall recently received the all clear from cancer following a year of treatment – his story documented by both ITV and BBC. But now with ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’, it’s only a matter of time until the challenge is keeping up with The Lilacs.

If this is a sign of what’s next for The Lilacs, we’ll be right there just as we were that Isle of Wight weekend, just a bit more clued up this time.

The band’s current headline tour is now underway, which they will follow with an ever-expanding summer schedule of big outdoor shows and major festivals – including their debut at Leeds Festival. The dates are below, limited tickets remain available.


APRIL
10th – Norwich, The Waterfront (SOLD OUT)
11th – Southampton, The Joiners (SOLD OUT)
17th – Bridlington Spa, This Feeling By The Sea (HEADLINERS)
18th – Glasgow, King Tut’s (LOW TICKETS)
25th – Dublin, Whelan’s – upstairs (LOW TICKETS)

MAY
1st – Plymouth, The Junction (SOLD OUT)
2nd – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach (LOW TICKETS)
3rd – Liverpool, Sound City
30th – Leigh, Sports Village (with Lottery Winners)

JUNE
14th – Czech Republic, Rock For People
19th – Liverpool, On The Waterfront (with Red Rum Club)
24th – Sheffield, Tramlines (main stage)
30th – Lake District, Kendal Calling

JULY
23rd – Cheshire, In It Together Festival
23rd-26th – Oxfordshire, Truck Festival
25th – Suffolk, Latitude
30th-Aug 2nd – Derbyshire, Y NOT? Festival

AUGUST
16th – Isle of Wight, Robin Hood Adventure Park (with Scouting For Girls)
21st – Blackpool, Winter Gardens (with The Fratellis)
30th – Leeds Festival
29th – Wakefield, Tileyard North (with Ocean Colour Scene)