Northern lads The Lilacs are a high-energy indie band from Wigan. In just a few years, the band has already started to make a real name for themselves up and down the country, having played sets at iconic venues such as Manchester’s Albert Hall, various O2 Academy venues, and even found themselves on the bill at the mighty Isle of Wight Festival in 2021. The lads have accumulated over half a million streams worldwide, catching the ‘ear’ of various well-known radio stations such as XS Manchester. Their debut single Vicarage Road has found its way onto over 5,000 playlists and has become one of the band’s most recognised tunes with upwards of 200,000 streams on Spotify alone.

Having formed a strong friendship in a previous band, Ollie Anglesea (Singer) and Sam Birchall (lead Guitar) quickly developed the appetite to create a legacy of their own. After tireless months of long rehearsals and endless train fares, the band became complete when additions Dave Gomersall (Drums) and Matt Johnson (Bass Guitar) were made in October of 2018. With the line-up complete and tunes up their sleeves, the next thing on the agenda was to name the band. It was clear from the off this wasn’t going to be easy, with numerous suggestions being cast aside. Unfortunately earlier that year, Sam lost his mum in a battle with secondary breast cancer. Having numerous visits for treatment at The Lilac Centre (a specialist cancer clinic), the lads felt this was a suggestion that couldn’t be overseen.

23-year-old Portsmouth born alt/indie singer-songwriter dipping his feet into hip-hop and soul influences has been writing his own music since he was 10. Inspired by the likes of Kasabian to Kate Bush to Billie Holliday, Dodgson’s songs encompass attitude and melody voiced by meticulously written, gritty lyrics.

For the past three years, Dodgson has progressed from playing solo to perfecting his live shows with a full band. Together they performed multiple times at Isle of Wight, 110 Above and Victorious festivals, as well as gracing stages at The Great Escape, Live at Leeds, Truck, Tramlines, YNot and Kendal Calling festivals. Other shows included support slots for the likes of The Lottery Winners, Corella, Sundara Karma and Himalayas.

2023 saw Dodgson make his debut at Glastonbury festival and release his second EP (produced by Michael Smith at RYP Recordings, and one track by Damon Minchella and Tom Manning). It gained him multiple Radio 1 plays from the likes of Jack Saunders and Gemma Bradley, and main support slots for both Calum Bowie and Tom A. Smith on 11 of their UK tour dates. He also had no trouble selling out his own debut hometown headline show in April.

After selling out his second hometown headline show this time at the iconic Wedgewood Rooms, he performed at his debut London headline at The Grace in Islington in November, and released the second instalment of his forthcoming 3rd EP ‘Kids on the Firing Line’.

Oxygen are pleased to be releasing their second single 'Turning Into One' by the end of January 2025. Since releasing Facade in April 2023, Oxygen have played a number of gigs across various cities in the UK - supporting many different bands such as Keo, Better Joy and more - along with their debut headline show to a sold out Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, back in September 2023 to 100+ people.

In the midst of these shows, Oxygen have been writing and recording some promising material, which they hope to see enjoyed by many in 2025 - working with some great producers and engineers from all around the UK, to ensure that their new  material is something to remember. With four tracks to follow up 'Turning Into One', Oxygen are prepared for 2025, and for the release of their debut EP in Spring.

Oxygen will be supporting THE LILACS as part of Independent Venue Week 2025 on 1st February.  Those in attendance should expect to hear some unreleased material, alongside a captivating stagecraft.