LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: THE MOLOTOVS AT THE O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON 25/09/26
The Molotovs, sibling duo Mathew and Issey Cartlidge, brought explosive energy and undeniable chemistry to the O2 Forum Kentish Town on September 25th, opening the first of two headline shows at the iconic North London venue. The atmosphere inside the 2,300-capacity venue was electric. The sold-out performance demonstrated exactly why the young band has been turning heads across the UK punk and rock scene recently.
Opening the evening were Jeanie and the White Boys. Fronted by East London’s Jeanie Crystal, the band brought a chaotic blend of queer punk and rock’n’roll glamour to the stage. “Are you guys alive out there, cause it looks like you’re pretty dead?” Crystal called out early in the set, commanding the stage with immense confidence. She threw her hair around and controlled the stage with ease, despite the venue still filling up. Backed by members of Toy and Warmduscher, they won over the early crowd with their fierce, theatrical energy.
Next came Stoke-on-Trent psychedelic garage-rock band The Crystal Teardrop. Fronted by Alexandra Rose, they immediately transported the room back to 1960s London with vibrant outfits and catchy guitar riffs. Their short set balanced older favourites with their latest single ‘Tomorrow Starts Today’. One particular highlight was when they closed their set with ‘Colours Changing’, extending the track into a massive, trippy instrumental solo before eventually leaving the stage.
Then it was finally time for The Molotovs. Before the band even took the stage, Tommy McGuinness, manager of Covent Garden’s iconic pub The Marquis, stepped up to introduce them. He recalled seeing the band for the first time in a tiny pub, highlighting the fact that they had now sold out Kentish Town not once but twice. He urged the crowd to always support their local music scenes and discover exciting upcoming talent before finally welcoming the headliners on stage to loud applause. The trio, comprising of siblings Matt and Issey Cartlidge and drummer Noah Riley, opened with ‘Johnny Don’t Be Scared’. Throughout the night, they also showcased newer material, including their latest punk single ‘Urbia’, a teaser for their upcoming album ‘Welcome To Urbia’. Despite their young age, frontman Matt Cartlidge is only 17 and his sister Issey is 19, they performed with complete confidence. Matt impressed with sharp guitar riffs and biting vocals, while Issey brought an energetic presence on bass alongside Noah Riley, who kept the pace on the drums from the back of the stage.
They played fan favourites such as ‘More More More’ and ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’ during what marked a massive, landmark moment for the young group. The crowd was a dense mix of young and old, with many wearing “Who the fuck are The Molotovs?” shirts and other merchandise, suggesting they have been following the band’s grassroots journey for some time now. One young fan at the barrier had even dressed like frontman Mathew, who appears to inspire fans not only musically but stylistically too. Many mosh pits erupted near the front throughout the set, keeping security guards on their toes as a steady stream of young fans crowd-surfed repeatedly, completely swept up in the atmosphere. By the time the final chords of ‘Come On Now’ echoed through the venue, many fans at the front were left in a sweaty blur of adrenaline.
Unapologetically raw, breathlessly fast and remarkably confident for such a young age, the night proved that the hype surrounding them is entirely justified. They did not simply just play a set; they commanded the room and left everything on that stage, proving that guitar music is still alive and kicking. Catching The Molotovs the next time they play London is an absolute must for anyone who loves punk and rock music.
Words and photos by Nadine Goetz.
