The Tin Music and Arts in Coventry’s Canal Basin has unveiled three shows featuring alternative rock acts in the coming weeks, with a mix of bands that are new, old and even older! What’s On gets its rock almanac out to round things up…

Virginia’s Wolves (Friday 6 March)

Get ready for some serious girl power when Leicester punk rockers Virginia’s Wolves headline an all-female evening of music in honour of International Women’s Day (which is officially celebrated two days later).

Formed in 2022, the quartet have been developing their potent live act ever since, claiming their howling (sorry, couldn’t resist) garage punk is a mix of “raw energy and unapologetic honesty”, that draws inspiration from the members’ diverse backgrounds and experiences. They’ve already got their claws (clang!) into 6 Music and Radio 2, and a self-titled EP released in January 2025 even earned coverage on BBC Introducing East Midlands. Support at what is sure to be a loud and lively night comes from Le Hev Hev and Inferno.

The House of Love (Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March)

If you remember psychedelic alt-rockers The House of Love then here’s some pause for thought: 2026 marks 40 (forty!) years since the band started out. Founded by singer-guitarist Guy Chadwick and lead guitarist Terry Bickers, the shoegaze act initially signed to indie label Creation alongside the likes of Primal Scream and The Jesus and Mary Chain, and enjoyed almost instant success with hits such as ‘Shine On’ and ‘Christine’ – staples of indie compilation albums and discos to this day.

The band’s current line-up - Chadwick is the only survivor from the original four-piece - are touring to celebrate the anniversary, a jaunt that now includes two gigs at the Tin. A matinee performance has been added on Sunday 29 March after the previous evening’s show sold out almost instantly – proof that the love for 80s indie music does indeed Shine On.

Spoon Speaker Man (Friday 3 April)

Quirky and candid in equal measure (jaunty single ‘Bargain Bin Bowie’ a useful case in point) Spoon Speaker Man are a band borne of a 30-year friendship between drummer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Worton and singer-songwriter Craig Walker.

The pair regularly crossed paths in the 90s while touring with their respective bands Neds Atomic Dustbin and Power of Dreams, and they’ve now teamed up to create an indie rock sound of their own.

The duo’s assessment that debut album ‘Age Of No Opinion’ blends “nostalgia and novelty” is fairly accurate, but while Britpop-style jangly guitars are undeniably front and centre, there are plenty of nods to the 70s and 80s music that inspired that era. Which should make for a lively combination when they finally - their last two tours had to be postponed - hit the stage with a full band.

For more information and tickets visit thetinmusicandarts.org.uk