Since he began releasing music a decade ago, Maverick Sabre has had one goal: to create albums that land as close to people’s hearts as possible.
Maverick Sabre will return to 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin for his headline show on Thursday 13th February 2025.
Tickets priced from €27 including booking fee & €1.50 restoration levy on sale now with Ticketmaster Ireland
Born in Hackney, Stoke Newington, Mav moved to Ireland at the age of four, spending his formative years in County Wexford before returning to London at seventeen.
Raised on a rich musical diet of Blues, Folk, and Country passed down from his father, he developed an early and enduring passion for music. This love grew as he immersed himself in the Irish Hip-Hop scene as a young teen, quickly gaining recognition as an MC and producer, crafting beats throughout his adolescence. Over the years, his sound evolved into a distinctive fusion of diverse influences, drawing inspiration from trailblazers like The Stone Roses, The Beatles, Tupac, Cymande, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, and Nas. With his trademark smooth vocals, he has stayed faithful to his aim and become synonymous with honest, soulful songwriting. As he prepares to release his fifth album, Burn The Right Things Down, Mav embodies the mindset that there is no time to waste.
The inspiration for Burn The Right Things Down sparked towards the end of 2023 when Mav felt an urgent need for change—a brush with existentialism. It wasn’t triggered by a particular loss but rather a profound realisation that change was necessary. Mav decided to step back from London and immerse himself in crafting music that resonated with his vision. Embracing the idea that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, Mav channelled this mindset into his creative process. The album unfolds in two distinct worlds: one portrayed through black-and-white visuals, artwork, and press shots, where Mav confronts harsher realities, and the other, vibrant and colourful, capturing a dreamlike, psychedelic atmosphere reflected in the album artwork and videos. This contrast embodies the themes of the songs themselves. Musically, the record is a melting pot of genres and influences, weaving these diverse sounds into a cohesive narrative. During its creation, Mav immersed himself in specific genres and albums, often playing films without dialogue or old black-and-white projector movies, sometimes alongside his band for inspiration.
The visual side of the project draws from early '90s black-and-white Hip-Hop videos and the works of directors like Andrei Tarkovsky, Roy Andersson, and Ingmar Bergman. Mav uses his voice as an instrument —through echoes, projections, and howling—pushing his artistry into new territory. The album captures a powerful ethos of urgency, freedom, and self-expression.
Mav recently marked the 10th anniversary of his debut album, Lonely Are The Brave, which includes the infamous I Need. He re-recorded it to reclaim ownership of the masters for which he has never received royalties. This process was more than a nostalgic revisit—it was a powerful reminder of the hunger that fueled his debut in 2012. His debut was followed in 2015 by Innerstanding, which showcased an eclectic artist unafraid to expose his feelings and perspectives. It featured collaborations with New York rapper Joey Bada$$ and Jamaican reggae artist Chronixx as Maverick’s sound expanded and his worldview matured. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Mav released When I Wake Up, reaffirming his place in the music scene with a standout project. The album featured his close collaborator and label-mate Jorja Smith on the track "Slow Down," a standout piece in both repertoires. Spanning 13 tracks, Mav ventured into more experimental territory—pushing his sound so far that he even considered releasing the album under a different persona. Mav’s is signed with FAMM, a boutique label home to Jorja Snith, ENNY, Bricknasty, Demae, Koniyeh, Mychelle and Shivani Day. The move from a major label to one headed by a team “I trust with my life” marked a new chapter in his creativity and made him label mates with Jorja Smith, an artist he has worked with and mentored from her earliest days in the music industry. “Apart from my own career, hers is the one I have followed the closest,” he says of their musical connection. “It's a beautiful journey, and seeing my little sister grow like that has been an honour.” The pair have written and recorded together on both When I Wake Up and Smith’s Mercury Prize-nominated debut Lost & Found.
Mav is a revered figure in the music scene, often described as a "musician's musician" with respect and love that travels far and wide. His talent and artistry have led to collaborations with an impressive roster of artists, including George The Poet, Ghetts, Nia Archives, Joey Bada$$, Chronixx, Jorja Smith, Chase & Status, and many more. His music explores various themes, from socio-political issues to deeply personal stories. Known for his outspoken nature, Mav has consistently used his platform to share his political views, including his support for Palestine and his broader disillusionment with the state of the world. Beyond his solo work and collaborations, Mav continues to explore new creative avenues. In recent years, he launched YOURS, a dynamic four-piece house music collective that showcases his versatile talents. The group’s debut album, What’s Mine Is YOURS, will be released on September 27th through Defected Records, further expanding Maverick’s artistic footprint and highlighting his ever-evolving musical journey.
