On yet another wintry Friday where the taillights into town are lit up red and the pavements depressingly glisten with a week’s worth of mist and drizzle, a night of summery indie pop at Metronome proved a welcome antidote. The Lilacs and The Rosadocs were our hosts...
Sheffield five-piece The Rosadocs, buoyed by a fervent following in the front few rows, hit the ground running as tonight's support act, with frontman Keelan Graney’s effervescent stage persona grabbing the attention from the get go.
In possession of a powerhouse vocal delivery and earthy, heart-tugging lyrics, it’s easy to see why on social-commentary-fuelled tracks including Settle Down and Run Away. But instead of running away, theyv plan to return to Nottingham next month for two sold out dates at The Bodega.
Originally scheduled for last April, Wigan quartet The Lilacs’ appointment with their growing Notts’ fanbase has been a long time coming. With guitarist Sam Birchall now thankfully fighting fit after a testicular cancer diagnosis, the four-piece are understandable in jubilant form and chomping at the bit to get out in front of live audiences again.
Slowly but steadily garnering a solid live following since 2019, the four-piece’s melting pot of tales of late nights, swapped jumpers in night club queues and relationship woes have clearly hit home during the last six years - tipping a hat to fellow Northerners The Courteeners, The Lathums and Arctic Monkeys. Boyish frontman Ollie Anglesea possesses the sort of soaring, yet gritty vocal which it's easy to get swept away with, powered on by Dave Gomersall’s frenetic drums.
Tracks such as the staccato Sally and contemplative Something or Nothing grab the attention from the start, while Calling It A Night, with its "up all night and down all day" refrain bellowed back at them by their ardent followers, is an undeniable radio-friendly banger.
It’s on Grace where The Lilacs really shine though, possessing a killer dropped chord that pulls at the heartstrings. Touchingly named after the cancer treatment clinic in which Birchall’s mum was cared for, there’s no doubt The Lilacs have been through the wringer in their young lives to date - but have hearteningly come out the other side stronger. It will be interesting to see where their trajectory takes them now as they continue to flower.
The Lilacs performed at Metronome on 6th February 2026.
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