Joining Janeane LIVE at 9:00am - The NaNaz are an all-female punk/alt rock collective from Cardiff, South Wales - six women in their 50s and 60s who met at a punk workshop. Four members, Anne-Marie, Claire, Jade & Beccy will call in to KUCI 88.9fm studios.

 

The NaNaz — South Wales’ Riot Women of Punk

The NaNaz are an all-female punk/alt rock collective from Cardiff, South Wales, known for proving that punk has no age limit. Formed in 2024 through the Nana Punk workshops — a community project for women over 50 — the band blends raw DIY energy with art-rock edge, drawing inspiration from pioneers like X-Ray Spex, Poly Styrene, Bikini Kill, and The Au Pairs Green Gathering Festival+1.

Origins and Inspiration

The group began as part of a grassroots initiative to give older women a creative outlet, with no prior experience or instruments required. Participants included former nurses, foster carers, and ice-cream van drivers, all united by a love of music and a desire to perform The Guardian. The name “NaNaz” came after a lineup change, and the band now features a mix of new and experienced female musicians Green Gathering Festival.

Debut Single — “60 Lies”

Their first single, “60 Lies”, was released in September 2025 and produced by Jeff Rose of Skindred loudwomen.org+1. The track supports the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign, addressing the injustice faced by 3 million women who lost up to five years of pension entitlement. The song is a sharp, hook-laden protest anthem that channels fury, humour, and unapologetic truth-telling loudwomen.org+1.

Music and Style

The NaNaz’s sound is loud, honest, and unapologetic, mixing punk urgency with art-rock sophistication. Their repertoire tackles social issues — from pensions and menopause to recycling and care home fees — alongside personal and political themes The Guardian. They’ve been featured on guitar.com’s homepage and in Age Cymru’s poster campaign The Guardian.

Live Performances

Since their formation, they’ve played sold-out shows in Newport, Cardiff, and Swansea, and have 13 gigs and festival dates booked for 2026 Green Gathering Festival. Their headline Cardiff show is set for 24 October 2025 at The Canopi, with support from Scare Bears and Daisy Green loudwomen.org+1.

Why They Matter

The NaNaz are often called the real-life “Riot Women” — a nod to the BBC drama Riot Women — and are seen as a zeitgeist moment for women over 50 in the punk scene. They embody the DIY ethos, community spirit, and fearless attitude that punk has always championed loudwomen.org+1.

In short: The NaNaz are a riot in motion — a generation-defying punk force using music to tell their truth, inspire others, and prove that attitude, creativity, and noise have no expiry date.