The Molotovs Bring The Fire At London Showcase

The teenage duo Mathew and Issey Cartlidge played a sold-out show at the Electric Ballroom, giving fans of The Molotovs an early taste of their upcoming debut album "Wasted On Youth".

The crowd is a mix that Camden does best, with young fans in ripped jeans and older music lovers who would’ve caught Paul Weller at his peak.

Supporting act Soaked kicks things off with the kind of determined energy that makes opening acts worth showing up early for. They lean hard into the punk side of indie rock and manage to get the crowd moving, which is no small feat when half the room is still queuing at the bar.

By the time The Sukis take to the stage, the venue has filled considerably. Dressed in sharp suits that would've made Pete Townshend weep with joy, the band delivers a catchy indie-rock set that builds tension for the headliners.

When The Molotovs hit the stage at 9:30 pm, the balconies on all sides are packed with onlookers vying to see the action.

It’s an explosive start with a new song, "Urbia", and the hour-long set features songs from their debut album "Wasted On Youth", which is out on January 30 with Marshall Records.

Red lighting adds an urgency that matches the band's intensity and in the 1,500-capacity venue, the crowd moves plenty. Multiple crowd-surfing attempts break out and bodies are launched overhead with varying degrees of success.

Aspiring for a third number one single in a row, The Molotovs deliver a thrilling performance to "Rhythm Of Yourself", which is set to be released on 31st October.

Another notable highlight is "More More More", which topped the UK physical and vinyl charts earlier this year.

Throughout the performance, Mathew restlessly circles the stage, with leg kicks and air jumps accompanied by a shrill whistle.

But if Mathew is all sharp bursts and restless turns, Issey is a continual riot. She gives a masterclass in how to not just play the bass but perform it. Hair tosses are in full swing and there’s a moment when Issey hoists the guitar onto her shoulder and plays it overhead.

Clad in a Union Jack dress, Issey seamlessly transitions from performing to addressing the crowd and passionately expresses what it means to be British.

I’m proud to sport this flag. This is British identity. People gathered together for music and a legacy of British artistic history.

She says, gesturing at the stage, at the moment.

We must reject cultural pessimism - reject division, intolerance and hate - and embrace togetherness in its wake.

It’s a clear reminder that music is political, and The Molotovs aren't shy about showing it.​

We must keep on asking ourselves one vital question: 'Is There Any Hope?' We think the answer is definitively 'yes'.

It's a bold statement from the teenagers, but it doesn't feel naïve. The Molotovs emerged from pandemic-era busking on Oxford Street and although Mathew is 17 and Issey is 19, they’ve performed over 600 gigs since starting in 2020. The siblings have supported iconic acts such as the Sex Pistols and The Libertines, earning the endorsement of Paul Weller himself.

At the end of the set, the duo brandishes their guitars high in the air. For a Wednesday night in Camden, it feels like something bigger than your average London gig.

In a venue that's hosted the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Harry Styles, to Prince, it was exactly the kind of night worth having.

Preorder the album "Wasted On Youth" HERE!

Preorder the single "Rhythm Of Yourself"  HERE!

Photos by: Aoife Hyland