Warming up the sold-out 2,300-capacity room were The Crystal Teardrop, a five-piece from Stoke-on-Trent whose set offered a crisp slice of mid-1960s garage rock, Byrds-style jangle, and psychedelia. Driven by vintage organs and Rickenbacker chimes, their retro aesthetic proved an ideal curtain-raiser for the main event.
Following a brief, enthusiastic introduction from Tommy McGuinness—manager of Covent Garden’s iconic Mod hub, The Marquis—The Molotovs took the stage with absolute confidence. Relentless touring over recent years has turned this London trio into a formidable live act. From the opening chords of "Johnny Don't Be Scared" through "Rhythm of Yourself" and new offering "Born In Society," the band operated as a tight, cohesive unit, shifting smoothly through the gears and steadily cranking up the pressure. While comparisons to The Jam remain noticeable, lead vocalist and guitarist Mathew Cartlidge commands the stage with a clear, distinctive identity. In a dark grey double-breasted pinstripe suit and cravat, the bleached-blonde frontman looks born for the role. Alongside him, his sister and bassist Issey Cartlidge provides a striking visual focal point, executing a highly animated, theatrical display of stage struts, lunges, and sharp poses while delivering precise, grounding basslines in a royal blue halterneck gown split to the thigh.
Ripping through their set with ferocious speed and pristine clarity, "Daydreaming," "Geraldine," and "Join Us" proved a genuine pleasure to behold, before the band pivoted seamlessly into the punchy, hook-heavy rhythms of "Today's Gonna Be Our Day" and "Down at the Cafe". Everything seems to be falling into place for The Molotovs and they are taking it all in their stride. A standout highlight of the set was "Urbia," the driving title track from their upcoming sophomore album Welcome To Urbia, scheduled for release in April 2027. The main set pressed forward at a relentless pace through "Is There Any Hope?," "Father Flag," the debut album's roaring title track "Wasted on Youth," and their breakthrough single "More More More".
The closing section of the main set gained further momentum with "My Metallic Wife," "Get a Life," and "Newsflash," before culminating in a driving cover of David Bowie’s "Suffragette City". Returning for an encore, the band delivered "The Man Who Could Never Be," "Nothing Keeps Her Away," and "You, Me - Shadowboxer," before closing the night with a rousing rendition of "Come On Now".
The rise and rise of The Molotovs continues.
Setlist Johnny Don't be Scared Rhythm of Yourself Born In Society Daydreaming Geraldine Join Us Today's Gonna Be Our Day Down at the Cafe Urbia Is There Any Hope? Father Flag Wasted on Youth More More More My Metallic Wife Get a Life Newsflash Suffragette City (David Bowie cover)
Encore: The Man Who Could Never Be Nothing Keeps Her Away You, Me - Shadowboxer Come On Now
