Wigan’s indie-rock outfit The Lilacs are gearing up for a big year, starting with the release of their debut EP, The 395 (To Forever), on March 21st via Scruff of the Neck Records. In anticipation of the EP, the band drops their latest single, You’re Not That Daft, a catchy, high-energy track that showcases their signature sound. To celebrate, they’re heading out on an in-store tour before they hit the road for their biggest UK headline tour yet, including a sold-out gig at Sheffield’s iconic Leadmill. And with a packed summer festival schedule already in the bag, 2025’s shaping up to be a belter for the band.
For fans, You’re Not That Daft is classic Lilacs: a cracking blend of catchy tunes and rhythms that get stuck in your head straight away, with a hook you can’t shake off. Ollie Anglesea’s voice takes you back to those wild, carefree nights out – full of energy, a bit of madness, and that buzz you get when you’re out with mates. But there’s also a bit of nostalgia creeping in, like remembering all those people you shared those nights with who aren’t around anymore. The lyrics throw in all sorts – from the infamous ten drinks for £10 at Wigan’s Indiependence club to a daft claim of having Johnny Marr as a second cousin. This track’s like a time capsule, taking you back to those messy, sweaty nights at indie clubs you’ll never forget. With each beat, You’re Not That Daft invites you to relive those untamed, unforgettable nights.
Anglesea explains, “This is definitely one of the more ‘fun’ tracks on the record, and was the quickest song that came together in the studio. Similar to ‘Calling it a Night’ and ‘One More for the Road’, this song explores the times of our misspent youth and university days—late-night drinking, reckless adventures, and the blurry yet unforgettable moments that shaped us, even as we stumbled our way through it all.”
You’re Not That Daft is one of three tracks that preview the band’s forthcoming EP, The 395 (To Forever), joining previous singles Where’ve You Been Hiding and Calling It A Night. Produced by Joe Cross (The Courteeners, Hurts, Slow Readers Club), the EP encapsulates the experiences of growing up in the North while showcasing The Lilacs’ ever-expanding sound. These tales of youthful recklessness are clearly just the beginning for a band poised for a much larger future.
The EP is available for pre-order here, and you can get your hands on various physical formats, including two vinyl variants and a CD.
Tickets are flying out for their headline tour, so if you want to catch them live, you’ll want to act fast by heading over here.
You can catch The Lilacs live at the following venues:
MARCH
21st – Bury, Wax & Beans (Acoustic set and signing – SOLD OUT)
22nd – Wigan, Fat Bird (Acoustic set and signing – SOLD OUT)
23rd – Kingston, Banquet Records (Signing)
23rd – Kingston, Fighting Cocks (Acoustic set)
27th – Hull, Polar Bear Music Club (SOLD OUT)
28th – Sheffield, The Leadmill (SOLD OUT)
29th – London, The Garage
APRIL
3rd – Bristol, The Exchange (LOW TICKETS)
4th – Birmingham, O2 Institute 3 (SOLD OUT)
5th – Leeds, Beckett Student Union
10th – Nottingham, Metronome (LOW TICKETS)
11th – Newcastle, The Cluny (LOW TICKETS)
12th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
For the latest news on their festival appearances and future projects, follow The Lilacs on social media:
Spotify | Apple Music | Instagram | Facebook | X | Website
Band photo by Liam Maxwell
