The Hoosiers

The Hoosiers headline O2 Ritz Manchester on 8 October 2026. Formed in 2003 by singer-guitarist Irwin Sparkes and drummer Alan Sharland, the band took its name from a stint in Indianapolis before settling in London. First imagined as a trio with bassist Martin Skarendahl, they made their mark in the mid-2000s with a punchy, melodic approach that blends indie pop, piano-driven rock and concise, catchy choruses. Their debut album The Trick to Life arrived in 2007, followed by The Illusion of Safety in 2010, later reissued as Bumpy Ride.

After leaving the major-label circuit, The Hoosiers continued independently with The News from Nowhere (2014) and The Secret Service (2015). Now operating mainly as a duo led by Sparkes and Sharland, they keep touring with a flexible live setup. In 2023 they added Confidence, pushing their pop-rock towards sleeker, synth-tinged textures while staying true to their melodic core. On stage, expect a set that moves easily from early hooks to newer cuts, with the band’s knack for direct, singable refrains front and centre in Manchester.