The Lilacs

Born in Wigan in northwest England, The Lilacs play energetic indie rock driven by direct guitars, anthemic choruses and songwriting rooted in the tradition of British live bands. The quartet comprises Ollie Anglesea on vocals, Sam Birchall on guitar, Dave Gomersall on drums and Matt Johnson on bass; the lineup settled in October 2018 after some members had previously played together. The Lilacs emerged on the English independent circuit with regular gigs, including Manchester’s Albert Hall, several venues in the O2 Academy network and a slot on the bill at the Isle of Wight Festival. One of the first tracks to spread the band's name was the single “Vicarage Road”, which accompanied their early days and established their identity between indie rock, British pop rock and melodic effectiveness. The name The Lilacs also refers to the Lilac Centre, echoing Sam Birchall’s personal history and the death of his mother from cancer — a biographical detail tied to the band's origin rather than its presentation.