Bulletproof Festival: Maruja

As part of Bulletproof Festival, Maruja hit EartH Hall, London, on 4 June 2026. Emerging from Manchester’s independent scene, the group folds post-punk, noise rock and a dark, sinewy strain of jazz into long, tightly coiled pieces. A lean setup — guitar, rhythm section and saxophone — drives tracks that build in layers: repetitive guitar figures, heavy bass, drums pushing the pulse, and a sax that edges into improvisation. Vocals come spoken or chanted, circling themes of social pressure, urban anxiety and political tension.

On stage, Maruja work with volume and collective focus, stretching and releasing tension in waves to mirror the physicality of their studio recordings. Early singles led to the 2023 EP Knocknarea, which sharpened their method between abrasive textures and more atmospheric passages. After cutting their teeth in small clubs, they’ve taken this sound across the UK and into Europe. In London, expect a set anchored in groove and repetition, with long builds, sudden breaks and that saxophone cutting through the mix at just the right moments.