Richmond, VA – The temperatures may be falling outside, but the music scene heated up in Richmond on October 11, 2024 as the up and coming Atlanta-based band, Liliac fanned the rock flames at Ember Music Hall.
Unlike family bands of days gone by, Liliac really rocked. I learned of them, as I have so many bands, via a random YouTube suggestion. I never looked back. I expected to be rocked, but they far exceeded expectations, especially when it came to their setlist. To be honest, I expected a lot of the covers that got them noticed, with a few originals tossed in. It was the exact opposite, with very few covers (3 of 20 songs) and a lot of Liliac’s own power rock!
Fronted by Melody Cristea (vocals), family members Sam (guitar), Ethan (bass), and Justin (keys), along with Paul Barnes Jr. (drums, filling in for Abigail Cristea), they took the stage at 8. Turn up the AC, it was about to get comfortably warm.
Starting with “Rise Up“, they rocked into “Not Afraid“. They seemed to be having a great time as Melody blasted the lyrics, Sam killed the riffs, Ethan and Justin got into the bass and the keytar, and Paul kept them all together.
Check out their newest video release, “Breathe”
They were originally schedule to perform in Richmond on August 30 but had to cancel due to being invited to perform at the 2024 Rocklahoma Festival. After the first few tunes, it was clear why. They were rocking Ember in a way I feel Ember had not been rocked before.
It was great hearing them perform some of their newer originals, including their unreleased, “Anxiety Kills the Beautiful” and “Prisoner“. Melody, in her rockin’ raspy voice, belted every tune without missing a note. After “Somber Cry” and leading into a Sam guitar solo after their cover of, “Seven Nation Army”
Going back a few years, we were taken to one of their earlier originals, “Mars“. Following “Rebel Girl“, the youngest of the band, Paul, filling in for Abigail, did a fun drum solo.
Liliac Photo Gallery
One thing I thought was brilliant, especially for some of us not familiar with a lot of their music, was they did shorter versions of some of their songs. This gave us all a taste of more and showed us their range while showcasing their growing melodic portfolio. With few words in between, we were treated to a constant barrage of Liliac rock!
Changing pace a bit, they did their countryesque “Bad Boyz” followed by “Annabella” before delivering some “Madness“. They had some fun sharing a sample of merch with the fans, including a batty moment with Melody and Sam. We heard “Dear Father” before they wrapped up the set allowing us to “Breathe” giving us the “Delusion” they were done for the night.
The encore included what I think is their best cover as Melody’s raspy vocals are the perfect fit for Dio’s “Holy Diver“. They finished the night with one of their most popular singles, “Carousel“.
At the end of the night, it was clear, Liliac is making an impression on the music scene. Keep an eye out for them as they turn up the heat at a festival or venue near you.
Liliac Setlist
Rise Up
Not Afraid
Anxiety Kills the Beautiful
Monsters Are Dead
We Fight, We Fall
Buried Alive
Prisoner
Somber Cry
Seven Nation Army
Mars
Rebel Girl
Heaven and Hell
Bad Boyz
Annabella
Madness
Dear Father
Breathe
Delusion
Holy Diver
Carousel
Show Date: October 11, 2024
