The Lilacs have become professionals at throwing optimism in the face of their struggles and hardships, and their new single ‘Put The World To Rights’ neatly wraps this ability into a 3-minute anthem.

The Wigan four-piece return with their fourth single ahead of debut album ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ coming October 2nd via Manchester independent label Scruff Of The Neck.

This single opens with a demo-like acoustic glimpse at the song in its infantry stages. Something bands and artists are starting to share more frequently. Before the rest of the band join him, frontman Ollie Anglesea strips back the piece, highlighting its ability to work as an acoustic piece as well as roaring with a full band.

It’s a song that’s unmistakably The Lilacs. In their typical fashion, you can hear the lineage of British guitar bands without it being a purely retro sound. Their singles always have driving, upbeat guitars that build momentum into the track, and this is no different.

They’ve always understood the value of familiarity in guitar hooks, teaming with venue-filling melodies designed for the big stages. As with their other releases, this sounds like the sort of song you’d belt back to the band in a crowded venue.

Formed by Ollie Anglesea (Vocals and guitar) and Sam Birchall (Guitar), The Lilacs is completed by Matt Johnson (Bass) and Dave Gomersall (Drums). Talking of ‘Put The World To Rights’, the band said “Arguably our favourite track on the record, ‘Put The World To Rights’ is the 4th and last single of our debut album and we think the fans are going to love it.”

They continued “Releasing music is always a nervous time for the band, but there’s a genuine feel of excitement on this one. With it being the last single, it also means the album release is fast approaching”

This new single follows other releases ‘Miss Behavin’, ‘Girl Behind The Bar’ and ‘What’s The Worst That Can Happen’ in an exciting time for the band as they count down to the launch of their debut album. The band’s website features a CD, cream vinyl, and signed lilac galaxy vinyl with alternate black artwork. Meanwhile, select indie stores have an exclusive red cornetto vinyl with a signed obi strip, packaged in alternate red artwork.

The Lilacs have built a reputation for electric live shows, sharing stages with Lottery Winners and The Lathums and playing everywhere from Isle of Wight Festival to Truck. That momentum has translated into increasingly ambitious headline dates, including a sold-out 2,700-capacity show in Manchester. Their summer touring has kept up the pace, with a recent stop at Rock For People in the Czech Republic followed by major sets at Kendal Calling, Tramlines and Latitude and a first-ever Leeds Festival appearance still to come this month. The momentum carries into 2027, when the band embark on their biggest headline tour yet, taking in venues like Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse.

It hasn’t been a straightforward road to the debut album. Guitarist Sam Birchall was recently given the all-clear from cancer after a year of treatment, a journey documented by both ITV and BBC.

The Lilacs can be seen live at the following dates:

AUGUST 2026

21st – Blackpool, Winter Gardens (with The Fratellis)

30th – Leeds Festival

29th – Wakefield, Tileyard North (with Ocean Colour Scene)

FEBRUARY 2027 – Headline tour

26th – Belfast, Ireland – Voodoo 

27th – Dublin –  Academy 2 

MARCH 2027

4th – Hull – The Welly Club

5th – Newcastle Upon Tyne – Digital

6th – Glasgow – Warehouse SWG3

11th – Sheffield – The Octagon Centre

12th – Birmingham – O2 Institute 

13th – Nottingham – The Level

17th – Southampton – The 1865

18th – London – Islington Assembly Hall

19th – Brighton – Brighton – Concorde 2

20th – Bristol – Thekla

April 2027

1st – Norwich – The Waterfront

2nd – Lincoln – Engine Shed

3rd – Manchester – O2 Victoria Warehouse

10th – Paris, France – Supersonic

Written by Brad Halcrow for The Songbird HQ