London’s most explosive new duo, The Molotovs, have ignited a retail frenzy. Following the news that the band is locked in a fierce midweek chart battle with Lily Allen and Olivia Dean, record stores across the country and online giant Amazon have reported total sell-outs of their debut album, Wasted On Youth.
The siblings—Matt (17) and Issey Cartlidge (19)—have seen their debut surge to No. 2 in the midweek charts, fueled by over 6,000 physical pre-orders and a relentless in-store performance tour. The demand has been so high that three shops ran out of stock before the band even arrived for their sets, while Amazon struggled to fulfill CD orders for 48 hours.
A "Friendly" War
The "chart war" began when the band jokingly referred to Lily Allen on Instagram as a "new, unsigned artist." Allen responded with characteristic grace, wishing them luck in the battle. Despite the humor, the stakes are real: The Molotovs are currently sitting ahead of major guitar acts like Cast and Kula Shaker, proving that their brand of authentic, high-octane indie-punk is resonating with a new generation of physical collectors.
Announcing the "Welcome To Urbia" 2026 Tour
To celebrate the album's success, The Molotovs have announced their largest run of headline dates to date. The "Welcome To Urbia" tour kicks off in September 2026, culminating in a massive show at the 2,300-capacity O2 Forum Kentish Town in London.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, 5th February.
3rd Sept Cardiff Tamshed
4th Sept Nottingham Palais
5th Sept Brighton Chalk
10th Sept Glasgow TV Studio
11th Sept Newcastle Digital
12th Sept Sheffield Foundry
17th Sept Leeds The Wardrobe
18th Sept Liverpool Arts Club
19th Sept Manchester Academy 2
24th Sept Birmingham O2 Academy 2
25th Sept London O2 Forum Kentish Town
2nd Oct Belfast Ulster Sports Club
3rd Oct Dublin The Grand Social
