Independent Country presents..
British Indie legends The House of Love headline as the Ryland Caravan rolls into Cannon Hill Park for its fourth year.
This unique, boutique one-day music festival returns to the Outdoor Theatre at MAC Birmingham at the height of summer with another indie cavalcade, hosted as always by Birmingham’s favourite alt.cowboys Independent Country.
Other acts to be announced shortly. Tickets on sale now!
2-10pm, Saturday 6th June 2026
MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham
The House of Love
The House of Love are one of the most distinctive and influential British bands of the last 40 years, and we're delighted to have them headline the 2026 Ryland Caravan.
Formed in London and fronted by songwriter Guy Chadwick, the band helped define a sound that fused shimmering guitars, melodic intensity and emotionally direct songwriting. Their sound bridged the gap between indie pop, psychedelia and post-punk.
Rising to prominence on the legendary Creation Records, The House of Love earned widespread acclaim with a run of era-defining singles including “Shine On”, “Christine” and “The Beatles and the Stones”, before achieving mainstream success with the UK Top 10 hit “Destroy the Heart.”
Renowned for powerful and immersive live performances, The House of Love continue to captivate audiences with sets that balance classic material and deeper cuts, delivered with conviction and emotional weight.
When they headline at Ryland 2026, we'll experience a band whose songs have soundtracked generations, and whose influence still resonates across alternative music today.
Your Hosts, Independent Country
Independent Country are 6 cowboys from Birmingham (UK) who take Indie classics on a rollicking ride to Nashville and back.
Floppy fringes and baggy jeans are swapped for pedal steel guitars and four-part harmonies as the NME meets The Grand Ole Opry. You ain’t heard nothing like this!
The band have played festivals and venues all over the UK, including The Union Chapel, Shiiine On and Moseley Folk Festival. They bring either full-band sets that'll tear the house down on a raucous Saturday night, or else a laid-back acoustic show that will provide the ideal soundtrack to a regretful, hungover Sunday.
Saddle up your ponies and say hello to the best gang in town. Find them online at the places below.
About The Ryland Caravan
Like an old time passing show, The Ryland Caravan once again pulls in to MAC in Cannon Hill Park for a non-stop day of live music, conversation, and craft fair browsing.
Created by Independent Country as a celebration of the music they love, The Ryland Caravan is an one day mini festival set in the beautiful Brum brutalism of MAC's outdoor theatre.
2023's inaugural event saw fantastic sets from Teenage Fanclub songwriter Gerry Love, Laura J Martin, Swampmeat Family Band, and more.
For 2024, the Independent Country boys put together another tremendous bill, headlined by indie stalwarts Cud and Dexys Midnight Runners legend Pete Williams. The day also saw Ryan J Webb, The Bitter Lemons and Tilda Gebhardt tread the baords.
2025 was co-headlined by the Miki Berenyi Trio and The Tubs, and an intimate acoustic set from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian. All of this followed sets from Lo-Ho-Li and The Leaking Machine, and of course your hosts, Independent Country.
For 2026 we're delighted to have The House of Love. More acts for 2026 to be announced soon.
The 2026 Ryland Caravan Playlist
Join the mailing list
Add yourself to the Independent Country mailing list to get info on forthcoming shows, discounts on merch, fried chicken recepies, cowboy shirt advice, and much, much more.
The Venue
A theatre under the stars!
Nestled at the edge of Cannon Hill Park, a mile or so from central Birmingham, the show will take place in a stunning Roman Amphitheatre style, open–air theatre that forms part of Midlands Arts Centre (mac).
Please dress appropriately - the performance will go ahead whatever the weather!
Getting to MAC
Please consider planning your journey to MAC ahead of your visit by checking pages such as Edgbaston Cricket Ground to see whether any events might cause disruptions to your journey. When visiting MAC, we encourage you to use public transport, cycling and walking wherever possible.
By Bike
MAC is in the middle of National Cycle Route 5, as well as situated on the Rea Valley Cycle Road. It is readily accessible by bike from Birmingham City Centre and further afield. We have bike racks located at both entrances to the building. We also have another bike rack at the rear of the terrace facing Cannon Hill Park.
By Train
MAC is situated next to 4 train stations; Five Ways, University, Selly Oak and Birmingham New Street. The closest station is Five Ways - being 1.3 miles away, followed by University (1.4), then Selly Oak (1.5) and finally Birmingham New Street (1.7). The number 1 bus can take you to Five Ways station and 41 can take you just outside the QE Hospital by University station.
Alternatively, to walk it's around a 40 minute to both stations. The number 63 can take you to Selly Oak station and number 45/47 can take you to Birmingham New Street station (allow around a 7 minute walk from getting off to walking to the station however).
By Bus
1: From Five Ways, Edgbaston, Moseley and Acocks Green. The no 1 stops right outside MAC on Edgbaston Road.
35: From City Centre, Balsall Heath, Moseley and Kings Heath. The no 35 stops just around the corner from MAC on Willows Road.
41: From Heartlands Hospital, Acocks Green Village, Moseley, Springfield Road, Pershore Road (right outside MAC) and QE Hospital.
45/47: From City Centre (Carrs Lane), Selly Park, Stirchley, Cotteridge and Kings Norton. The buses stop on Pershore Road, five minutes walk from MAC.
61/63: From City Centre (Carrs Lane and Smallbrook Queensway), Rubery, Rednal, Gannow, Northfield and Selly Oak. All three buses stop ten minutes walk from MAC on the Bristol Road, near the Priory Road/Bristol Road traffic lights.
Check NX West Midlands for more information.