The Tiger Lillies Announce National Tour: ‘Come On Down (The Nihilism Tour)’

Grammy-nominated, avant-garde music pioneers The Tiger Lillies are set to embark on a national tour with their latest show, Come On Down (The Nihilism Tour), beginning in September 2024. Known for their dark, poetic performances, the band continues to explore themes of absurdity and the inherent meaninglessness of existence—a thread that has run through their work for decades.

An exploration of life's absurdity

With a unique blend of sharp wit, biting irony, and a deep sense of humanity, The Tiger Lillies present a musical experience that reflects on the futility of human achievements.

They liken our actions to stones cast into a pond—creating ripples that inevitably fade into nothingness. Their new show promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of this concept, delivered with the band’s signature style that mixes Brechtian opera, pre-war Berlin cabaret, and gypsy music influences.

A legacy of dark and peculiar performances

The Tiger Lillies, led by the charismatic Martyn Jacques, have been trailblazers in the avant-garde music scene for years. Their shows are known for their dark, peculiar nature, interspersed with moments of black humour and haunting beauty. Over the years, they have created a distinct niche for themselves, with performances that challenge audiences and provoke deep reflection.

Their repertoire includes critically acclaimed productions such as The Tiger Lillies Christmas Carol, The Ancient Mariner, and the West End hit Shockheaded Peter, for which they received double Olivier Awards. Their work often raises uncomfortable questions about society, pointing an accusatory finger at the audience with a twisted sense of humour that forces one to question the very act of laughing.

A sound that defies classification

The Tiger Lillies' music is a unique amalgamation that defies easy classification. Drawing on influences as diverse as Bertolt Brecht and Jacques Brel, their sound is a chaotic, anarchic blend that incorporates elements of opera, cabaret, and gypsy music. This distinctive sound has earned them a place as one of the world’s foremost avant-garde bands, praised for their originality and artistic bravery.

Critical acclaim

The Tiger Lillies have consistently earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The Guardian has lauded their work as “phenomenal,” while The Scotsman has described their performances as "glorious" and "poetic brilliance." Such accolades speak to the power of their art, which manages to be both deeply unsettling and incredibly compelling.

Tour dates and venues

The Tiger Lillies’ Come On Down (The Nihilism Tour) will take them to some of the UK’s most iconic venues. Fans can look forward to experiencing their latest show at the following locations:

• 06-Sep-24: Milton Keynes – The Stables
• 07-Sep-24: Taunton – Brewhouse
• 09-Sep-24: Leeds – City Varieties
• 10-Sep-24: Manchester – HOME
• 14-Sep-24: Oxford – North Wall
• 24-Sep-24: Colchester – Arts Centre
• 27-Sep-24: London – Cadogan Hall
• 28-Sep-24: Cambridge – Junction
• 03-Oct-24: Liverpool – Playhouse
• 05-Oct-24: Durham – Gala
• 06-Oct-24: Basingstoke – The Haymarket
• 07-Oct-24: Bristol – Redgrave Theatre
• 12-Oct-24: Brighton – Dome

For tickets and more information, visit Bound and Gagged Comedy at www.boundandgaggedcomedy.com.

The Tiger Lillies invite you to join them on this journey into the absurd, where the line between laughter and despair is as thin as a razor’s edge.