The Tiger Lillies UK tour: From the Circus to the Cemetery

The Tiger Lillies are back.

It seems a lifetime ago since I last introduced my oldest friend to the unique sound of The Tiger Lillies at The Stables in Wavendon; but it was just 4 years ago. I guess that’s what pandemics do to your perspective on time. I’m not sure why I hadn’t done so before, that’s just how things go.

As I mainly inhabit the world of the West End musical, I did not discover them until their show, Shockheaded Peter came to the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre back in 2001. At that time a musical set in the dark and terrifying world of Hoffman’s Strewwelpeter – a set of cautionary tales for children – was a breath of fresh air to a West End that was otherwise churning out productions of All You Need Is Love, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady, Peggy Sue Got Married and South Pacific!

And since then, their version of pre-war Berlin cabaret has continued to be both fresh and shocking.

It’s dark and deviant, as the press release goes. The macabre magic of pre-war Berlin fused with the savage edge of punk.

The world of The Tiger Lillies is dark, peculiar and varied, with moments of deep sadness, cruel black humour and immense beauty. The three-piece band consists of Martyn Jaques, Adrian Stout and Budi Butenop, who together create a unique theatrical sound and whose signature blend of chanson, opera, and Romany Gypsy music.

Maybe it’s best if I play you the trailer for their tour from their Youtube channel.

So, the Olivier Award-winning godfathers of alternative cabaret, the legendary alternative-rock trio The Tiger Lillies embarked on the UK leg of their European tour last week (see venues and dates below). The one London date is at the Cadogan Hall on 03 June but hurry, tickets are almost sold out. They have already been to my local venue at Wavendon, but fortunately they return to the nearby Alban Arena in nearby St Albans on my birthday, so I will be taking some more people there to introduce them to the band.

And they always like a chat after the show which is brilliant for fans old and new and something I wish more acts would do… even when they don’t have a “best of” album to flog!

Speaking of which, their highly-acclaimed back catalogue of music is the story line for their show ‘From the Circus to the Cemetery’, coinciding, as it does, with the release of their first ‘best of’ album, ‘The Worst of The Tiger Lillies’.

Notable achievements include the band winning two Olivier Awards for the cult hit musical Shockheaded Peter and a Grammy nomination for their album The Gorey End, released in 2003.

And what did my mate Rick think? He loved them!

UK tour dates 2023

For tickets visit https://www.tigerlillies.com

• 11^th May – Bury St Edmunds Apex
• 12^th May – Norwich Theatre
• 13^th May – Cambridge Junction
• 18^th May – Nottingham Playhouse
• 20^th May – St Albans Arena
• 21^st May – Taunton Brewhouse
• 26^th May – Manchester Home
• 27^th May – Leeds City Varieties
• 28^th May – Liverpool Epstein Theatre
• 1^st June – Brighton Old Market
• 2^nd June – Brighton Old Market
• 3^rd June – London Cadogan Hall
• 4^th June – Wimborne Tivoli Theatre
• 9^th June – Portsmouth New Theatre
• 10^th June – Bristol Redgrave Theatre

Later this year, The Tiger Lilies will also become one of the first bands to play Ukraine since the war with Russia broke out.  The band will play Lviv on the 11th July and Kyiv on the 13^th July 2023.

What press have said about Tiger Lillies

‘Extraordinary, seek out a ticket for this glorious show’ 

**** Scotsman

“The Tiger Lillies are phenomenal. There’s a lot of heart in their Chelsea smiles and seeing them live is an experience in of itself. Guaranteed they’ll have you grinning from ear to ear”

**** Voice Magazine

“Three remarkable musicians strutting their inimitable stuff.  As much as storytelling session, as it is a concert”

**** Bouquets & Brickbats

Tiger Lillies on Social media

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheTigerLillies
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Tiger-Lillies