The Lilacs Announce Stripped-Back UK Record Store Tour

by | Aug 27, 2026

The Lilacs have announced an intimate run of in-store shows to mark the release of their debut album, Keeping Up With The Joneses, out 9th October via Manchester’s renowned independent label Scruff of the Neck. The stripped-back record store tour sees the Wigan four-piece trade festival stages for record shops and intimate venues, bringing the songs from the album to fans up and down the country in a rare relaxed setting, with most dates including a signing session straight after the performance. The band will also be selling a special limited edition Record Store Tour 2026 version of the album on CD, only available from record stores as part of ticket bundles for these events. The CD will have alternative artwork from the standard album artwork. Tickets are available today at 11am, see all links below. 

 

The run kicks off in Wrexham at The Rockin’ Chair on 8th October, the day before the album lands, and then hits ten other venues across the country’s independent record shop network. These include Rough Trade East in London, The Cluny in Newcastle and a hometown date at Boulevard in Wigan, before wrapping up in Nottingham at Rough Trade on 20th October.

 

Keeping Up With The Joneses is available to pre-order HERE. The band’s official store offers a CD, cream vinyl, and signed lilac galaxy vinyl with alternate black artwork. Meanwhile, select indie stores have an exclusive red and white cornetto vinyl, packaged in alternate red artwork. 

 

The album has already been previewed by four singles, including Miss Behavin’, Girl Behind The Bar, What’s The Worst That Can Happen? and most recently Put The World To Rights, a hook-laden anthem the band have called their favourite track on the record.

 

Formed by vocalist 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 following of dedicated fans ever since, winning over more with single Grace in 2023 and scoring a Top 10 on the Independent Albums Chart with The 395 (To Forever) EP in 2025.

 

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 to Truck festival. 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 stripped back record store tour offers fans a rare chance to catch the band in a far more intimate setting before they return to bigger stages on their biggest ever headline tour in 2027.

Tour Artwork: Supplied By Halestorm PR 

The Lilacs new album ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ is released on Friday 9th October 2026. 

The album is available to pre-order HERE

OCTOBER 2026 

8th – Wrexham, Rockin Chair (via Jacaranda) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

9th – Wigan, Boulevard (via Jacaranda) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

10th – Nantwich, The Crown (via Applestump) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here 

11th – Newcastle, The Cluny (via Reflex) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

12th – Leeds, Key Club (via Crash) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

13th – Sheffield, Foundry (via Bear Tree) – Performance Only – Tickets here

15th – Bury, Wax & Beans (via Wax & Beans) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

16th – London, Rough Trade East (via Rough Trade) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

17th – Kingston, Fighting Cocks (via Banquet) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

18th – Liverpool, Jacaranda Baltic (via Jacaranda) – Performance Only – Tickets here

20th – Nottingham, Rough Trade (via Rough Trade) – Performance & Signing – Tickets here

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