This is the 5^th time I’ve seen The Tiger Lillies and once again have left with a smile on my face (only just mind as their ‘assistant’ David Hoyle was extremely irritating and added nothing to the music imho – but more of that later).

The music speaks for itself – vaudeville for the modern age, cabaret with a twist, avant garde Brechtian with eastern European gypsy leanings. Martyn Jacques is both the leader and writer of all the dystopian songs of love, death, drugs, hookers, colourful characters, dark macabre and seedy underbelly of life in the world of sub culture.  All those early years living above a whore house in Soho certainly did the trick (wink 😊).

Tonight the trio consist of:

• Martyn Jacques: vocals, accordion, piano, ukulele
• Adrian Stout: double bass, theremin, musical saw, jaw harp
• Budi Butenop: drums, percussion

They are doing a short residency at Wilton’s Music Hall (20^th Feb to 2^nd March) in support of their new album ‘Lessons in Nihilism’ and played it in its entirety over two sets 19:30 – 20:20 and 20:40 – 21:30.  So more new twisted songs for the majority of the very diverse audience to engage with.

After every 2 or 3 songs the band sat down and we had to listen to a, thankfully relatively short, boring unfunny diatribe about politics, war, gender, and society from Blackpool’s very own David Hoyle.  Old queens never die they just get sadder I guess.  Even worse he bloody well sang a song assisted by Adrian on theremin.  Whatever the reason for having him on the bill is completely lost on me as it had nothing to do with the excellent music the band was playing and added nothing to the evening.  I’d rather have the band play more songs after all they have a huge back catalogue of excellent songs. 

As always the band were immaculately dressed suits, hats and grease-painted circus faces. Adrian and Budi had similar makeup accentuating their lines to almost Halloween skeletal appearance while Martyn had panda like face paint.  He wore a FCK PTN sticker (wonder what side he’s on 😊) on his bowler hat and cut and an imposing figure.  Occasional glimpses of his long pony tail flowing down his back during the quicker moments of accordion mayhem.

Most songs lead with the accordion with just a few guitar led ones such as the ghostly ‘Dying Clown’ accompanied by Adrian on theremin and Budi on washboard.  Unusual instruments of the day were Martyn’s 18” mini guitar in reverse (alas no pics) and Adrian playing the musical saw which had a wooden skull handle – top stuff!! Even the jaw harp made an appearance on one song.

‘Gone Wrong’ and ‘Come on Down’ are good old foot stomping gypsy based tunes.  Lots of sad melancholy soulful tunes too such as ‘Rest in Peace’ and ‘Time to Die’ are great vehicles for Martyn’s distinctive high falsetto voice.  ‘Disintegrate’ starts off Gypsy style then goes off into improvised Jazzy passages with the band giving it all they had.

I bought the CD and have been listening to it constantly while writing this piece.  It’s an excellent album, stark realism and great lyrics.  I highly recommend listening to it in the dark with a bottle or two of something by your side!

Set list

1. Gone Wrong
2. Bleached Earth
3. Dying Clown
4. Come on Down
5. Time to Die
6. Celebrity
7. Disintegrate
8. Blamed
9. Rest in Peace
10. No Sin
11. Disease
12. Kick a Baby (Urine Palace, 2007)
13. Banging in the Nails (The Brothel to the Cemetery, 1998)

To finish off we had the excellent ‘Kick a Baby’ and ‘Banging in the Nails’ the latter of which had Budi doing a protracted drum solo which was rather good given his small drum kit.

It’s always a pleasure watching The Tiger Lillies – a truly one of a kind band and experience.  I was lucky enough to have my CD signed by the band as well as a few photos with them.  Thanks chaps keep it up.  Can’t wait till next time you are in London.

Marko [28 Feb 2024]