It’s been a fairly terrific start to 2025 for The Tin Music and Arts venue in Coventry. First global superstar Ed Sheeran dropped in to watch a youth band’s rehearsal as part of his charity foundation’s push to boost children’s access to music, and then the venue smashed a fundraising target of £10,000 to help renovate its shabby exterior.

Marketing manager Jess Harper, said the venue had received amazing support, which included bands and gig goers alike. “We’re really overwhelmed with how many people have come out to all of the events we’ve put on, how many people have donated and all the bands and acts that volunteered to play,” she said.

The venue can now look ahead with added confidence, and with good reason, as there are some eye-catching shows on the horizon, including the rare opportunity to see much feted art and post-punk rockers Snapped Ankles in a small venue (16 May). What’s On picks a couple of upcoming highlights.

Tenebrous Liar (8 March)
Steve Gullick, one of the world’s most respected music photographers, is back on the other side of the camera again this year, as he returns to fronting Tenebrous Liar, a musical project he created 20 years ago. The move also sees him returning to the city of his birth for a gig to mark the release of ninth album Hell Never Called, which comes out the day before.

The LP is the band’s first in eight years, and while Gullick remains the only constant member – former alumni include Ed Harcourt, Duke Garwood and Dan Glendining - the current four-piece line-up admirably keeps their fingers on the pulse (or rather feet on the pedals) of the fuzzy, bleak and brutal rock of their predecessors. There also sonic nods to the likes of Nirvana, The Fall, Screaming Trees and Nick Cave, some of the many subjects Gullick has photographed during his stellar career.

Support acts for the show are London carnal rockers Index For Working Musik and Coventry-based ambient electronica outfit Compliance Unit, so be prepared for some volume.

Roddy Woomble (30 April)
With his enigmatic and poetic lyrics, warm baritone voice and consummate gift for a tune, Roddy Woomble is widely considered to be among Scotland’s best contemporary songwriters.

Over the sixteen albums that he has released (nine with his band Idlewild, and seven as a solo artist) he has traversed punk rock, chart bothering melodic rock, folk and most recently electronica, with his most recent project Almost Nothing. Each one delivered with the humble grace that he’s become known for.

Roddy’s upcoming record re-unites him with songwriting partner Sorren Maclean and was recorded with contributions from family and friends, in an old church on the Isle of Mull.

For more information and tickets visit thetinmusicandarts.org.uk

Main image: Ed Sheeran - (c) Eugene McLaughlin