The Hoosiers

The Hoosiers bring their pop-rock craft to NX Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, on 9 October 2026. Formed in 2003 by Irwin Sparkes and Alan Sharland after a stint in Indianapolis that inspired their name, the duo honed a brisk, melodic writing style with a slightly offbeat streak, where indie pop, piano-led rock and direct choruses meet. They broke through in the mid-2000s with debut album The Trick to Life (2007), followed by The Illusion of Safety (later reissued as Bumpy Ride), before taking a more independent route with The News from Nowhere (2014) and The Secret Service (2015). Their latest chapter, Confidence (2023), adds a synth-tinged edge while staying true to their melodic backbone.

On stage, The Hoosiers operate around the Sparkes–Sharland core with a live band, revisiting early tracks alongside newer material. Tight harmonies, crisp guitars and piano lines anchor a set that moves at a lively pace and keeps the focus on hooks built to stick.