The Hoosiers to play gig at small record shop

Multi-platinum selling band The Hoosiers are set to play an intimate gig to just 70 people after a festival where they were due to perform was cancelled.

The band had been booked for On the Green Fest in Peterborough, which was cancelled due to poor advance ticket sales.

But instead the band will play a free gig at family-run independent record shop Rockabuy Records in Oakham, Rutland, on Saturday 24 May.

Rockabuy owner Dean Poole said he was staggered when the festival organisers approached his son asking if they wanted The Hoosiers to play in their shop.

Dean said: "The people who were running the festival know my son Chris and contacted him and said 'the festival has been cancelled, so how do you feel about The Hoosiers playing in your shop?'

"My instant reaction was that we've only got a small shop which will only hold about 70 people; do they really want to play here?

"But we were told they were happy to do a small intimate gig, so I thought 'let's do it'. Sometimes in life you just need to go for it, and it'll be nice to give something back to the fans.

"It's quite a thing for sleepy little Oakham, and we'll need to be careful we don't upset the noise police, but it will be an acoustic gig, so we won't be shaking the windows!"

The Hoosiers – who comprise original members, vocalist Irwin Sparkes and drummer Alan Sharland - will play hits from their entire back catalogue during the gig.

Irwin said: "With the disappointing news that On The Green Festival has been cancelled, Al and I thought it would be only right and a bit fun to do a pop-up gig at the nearest record shop for fans who were planning to come to our festival show."

Entry to The Hoosiers show will be on a first-come, first-served basis, prioritising those who have cancelled tickets to On The Green Festival at the Embankment with them.

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