The Molotovs // Electric Ballroom Camden
A punk rock renaissance gathering momentum
★★★★☆ (4/5)
The Molotovs - Wasted On Youth Album cover
How do you sell out the Camden Ballroom before releasing your debut album? As it turns out, through relentless touring and gripping live shows, punk rockers The Molotovs have proven. Before the band even set foot on stage, the sold-out crowd were in exceptionally high spirits due to the rousing opening acts.
Opening the evening were Soaked, who brought a raw sound that oozed with unrestrained energy. Charged lyrics rode atop aggressive guitars and into tight choruses that resonated with the cheering audience.
Alt-rockers The Sukis brought indie-tinged theatricality which channelled the energy of early Arctic Monkeys, Blossoms and The Strokes, among others. The far-ranging influences and top-notch songwriting speak of a band that is ready for big things.
This meant that when The Molotovs took to the stage their entrance was greeted by a euphoric crowd that was ready to sing and dance for the punk rock dished out by the band. Resplendent in mod-revival stylings, donning a slick suit and a Union Jack bodysuit Mathew and Issey Cartlidge struck iconic figures as they rocked the ballroom.
Immediately serving their distinctive blend of driven guitar and concrete bass, the duo had the audience gripped. There’s nothing like seeing a band hungry for success performing live. A desire to prove themselves radiated into the audience, symbiotically raising the energy levels of both.
This was evident throughout as crowd-surfers planed across the audience, while the band, fresh from supporting punk legends The Sex Pistols, displayed a professional swagger which belied the anarchistic roots of their music.
Much of the set came from the band's unreleased debut “Wasted On Youth“ ( set to release in January 2026), which could have led to a worryingly flat atmosphere but each song was instead greeted rapturously as the crowd welcomed the new songs with gusto. New cuts such as “My Metallic Wife” saw the band cover new lyrical content while still delivering solid crowd pleasers. Everything they demonstrated pointed towards an electrifying debut.
Early on, “Suffragette City” served as a mission statement for the evening, melding punk urgency with melodic hooks and barbed lyrical bite. While “More More More” showed roots from the band's indie inspirations, as the mod-revival tinged track harkened back to the guitar band of the 2000s.
In between songs the band used their platform to reject pessimism from the political landscape and instead made a plea toward unity. This concept could be heard in the optimistic “Today’s Gonna Be Our Day” urges listeners to seize the day before it slips away. The breakdown allowed Mathew to unleash a searing guitar solo, which illustrated the show's great sound mix as the bass and drums formed a solid foundation to let the guitar and vocals shine.
A smattering of covers allowed the band to pay tribute to some of their inspirations. David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel” took on new life as a speedy rocker.
This ability to channel a pantheon of British rock inspirations has led the band to cultivate a fanbase which spans multiple generations. Paul Weller haircuts stood next to fresh cut perms, speaking to the timeless quality of their sound and showing the unifying power of music.
Eager chants for “one more song” echoed from the crowd as they waited with bated breath for an encore. Delighted cheers rose as they emerged for their encore and thoroughly brought the house down. The audience of rockers emerged into the Camden streets having had a special night, many feeling that they had seen an early peek into a band that is set to grow exponentially.
Stream The Molotovs: Here
See the band live: Here
REVIEW BY: SAM MCNAUGHTON
