Maeve

Maeve play Tiny Rebel on Saturday 17 October, part of Swn Festival 2026. They're an alternative rock band from South Wales, and this is a Cardiff date for them.

Their sound sits somewhere between post-punk and new wave, blending a sharp, jagged edge with the atmospheric textures that new wave is known for. You'll hear that in the moody guitar tones and the driving rhythms that hold the songs together. The lyrics lean into the introspective side of things, and the band describes their work as exploring identity, hidden emotions and the contrast between outward appearances and inner struggles. It's the kind of thing that works well in a live setting, where those atmospheric layers can actually breathe.

One track that sums it up is 'Behind Your Smile', which pairs sharp, rhythmic instrumentation with reflective lyrics. It's a good place to start if you want to get a feel for how they balance the two sides of their sound — the driving, rhythmic side and the more atmospheric, introspective one. They draw on classic post-punk and more modern alternative acts, and that mix comes through in the way they build their songs.

Because it's part of Swn Festival, this is one of many gigs happening across the city that weekend, so it's easy to fit into a larger run of shows. The set starts at 1:00 PM on Saturday 17 October at Tiny Rebel.