The world of The Tiger Lillies is dark, peculiar and varied, with moments of deep sadness, cruel black humour and immense beauty. This unique "anarchic Brechtian street opera trio" tours the world playing songs about “anything that doesn’t involve beautiful blonde girls and boys running at the meadow” to quote their founder Martyn Jacques. 

The Tiger Lillies are a British musical trio, formed in 1989 by Martyn Jacques. Their music is often described as “death oompah”—a unique blend of dark cabaret, punk, chanson, and operatic elements—exploring macabre and melancholic themes through Jacques’ distinctive falsetto and accordion. Their highly theatrical performances have captivated audiences worldwide.

The world of The Tiger Lillies is dark, peculiar and varied, with moments of deep sadness, cruel black humour and immense beauty.

They gained international acclaim with the stage production Shockheaded Peter, winning two Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. In 2003, they were nominated for a Grammy Award for their album The Gorey End, created in collaboration with the Kronos Quartet.

In 2025, The Tiger Lillies collaborated with La Perla 29 on The Tiger Lillies in a Macbeth Song, directed by Oriol Broggi, for which they received the Critics’ Award for Best Original Music at the XXVIII Critics Awards for Performing Arts in Catalonia. The same year, they released the critically acclaimed album Serenade from the Sewer, which they are currently touring worldwide.

In 2026, the band will premiere a new theatre production, Bacchae, directed by Javor Gardev, at the Athens Epidaurus Festival, followed by a tour across Greece.