The Tiger Lillies

The Tiger Lillies are an eccentric, avant-garde punk cabaret trio from London, founded in 1989 by singer and multi-instrumentalist Martyn Jacques. Their unique style blends the dark melodies of pre-war Berlin cabaret with raw rock energy and black humor, while Jacques’s distinctive high falsetto serves as the band’s creative hallmark.

Over the course of nearly three decades, they have earned cult status as a band unafraid to tackle controversial subjects in their lyrics: prostitution, addiction, blasphemy, and brutal humor — often delivered with perverse twists and provocative irony that leave audiences asking: “Why are we even laughing at this?”

Their body of work includes acclaimed productions such as Shockheaded Peter (winner of two Olivier Awards), the operatic-cabaret project Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a dark reimagining of Hamlet, the Mexican-burlesque Corrido de la Sangre, pandemic-era extreme performance experiments, and albums like Lessons in Nihilism (2024) and the newest, Thank You and Good Night (2025).

Their concerts are visually rich theatrical experiences, often lasting more than two hours.