The Molotovs brought down the house at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on Saturday, September 26th, capping off their second sold-out night at the venue with a surprise appearance from The Libertines’ Carl Barât. Joining brother-and-sister duo Matt (18) and Issey Cartlidge (20) on stage, Barât delivered a thrilling rendition of the classic anthem What A Waster.
The moment marked a triumphant full-circle milestone for the band. Exactly five years prior, a very young Molotovs played their inaugural gig at the exact same North London venue supporting The Libertines. Barât initially met the teenage siblings busking in the rain near The Libertines' Albion Rooms hotel in Margate. Reflecting on their remarkable journey, Barât praised the band, declaring them a true force for good in music today, noting how they carved their path the old school way through relentless busking and supporting top acts before selling out two Forums independently.
It has been a meteoric five-year rise for the group, boasting over 600 live shows, international tours, and a top-three debut record. Addressing the roaring crowd, bassist Issey expressed deep gratitude to their dedicated fanbase, emphasizing that while reaching 600 gigs is an incredible achievement, this moment is merely a stepping stone rather than a final destination.
As their national tour draws to a close, excitement is already building for their upcoming second studio album, Welcome To Urbia, which is available for pre-order now and scheduled for official release on April 9th, 2027.
UK fans will not have to wait long to catch the dynamic act live again. The Molotovs are set to hit the road later this autumn supporting Razorlight on a massive tour kicking off November 26th at Glasgow's O2 Academy. The major run of dates will hit major cities across the nation, culminating in a colossal arena show at London's OVO Arena Wembley on December 4th before concluding with stops in Belfast and Dublin.
