The Molotovs have today announced a major UK tour after midweek results put them challenging for No.1 in the Official Charts with debut album Wasted On Youth (Marshall Records).
The chart success of Wasted On Youth is the outcome of a touring-led, fan-built campaign – rather than hype or algorithms – with the industry catching up on huge demand.
Despite still being teenagers, siblings Matt (17) and Issey Cartlidge (19) have played more than 600 shows, amassing new fans everywhere they go.
The band take the step up in September with the ‘Welcome To Urbia’ tour including the 2,300-capacity Forum in London, as well as major venues in Nottingham, Brighton, Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham.
In the Official Charts midweek figures on Monday, the band were at number 2 in the album charts, just behind Lily Allen and ahead of Olivia Dean. They are also ahead of guitar bands Cast, despite the recent Oasis support slots, and Kula Shaker.
The band joked on Instagram that they are “in a chart war with some new, unsigned band called Lily Allen”.
Lily replied: “It’s all love baby, @TheMolotovs, hope you win the war.”
The band’s chart success is down to a focus on physical sales, with more than 6,000 pre-orders from the rapidly growing live fanbase, built over the last two years with the sale of 15,000 tickets.
Matt said: “After tearing up every dive bar and stage on the circuit, finally unleashing Wasted On Youth feels electric. We’ve lived these songs on the road, pouring every ounce of sweat into every live show. To see that raw energy bottled into our debut album is massive – it’s the payoff we’ve been chasing.”
Issey said: “We’re delighted with the chart success of the album but that’s not what we’re about. Our passion is for getting out around the country, and around the world, playing for audiences new and old – connecting with people who love music as much as we do. That love of music can help build a positivity and optimism sorely lacking elsewhere in 2026.”
The Molotovs Irish / UK tour dates:
Thu 03 Sept 2026 – Tamshed, Cardiff
Fri 04 Sep 2026 – Palais, Nottingham
Sat 05 Sep 2026 – Chalk, Brighton
Thu 10 Sep 2026 – TV Studio, Glasgow
Fri 11 Sep 2026 – Digital, Newcastle
Sat 12 Sep 2026 – Foundry, Sheffield
Thu 17 Sep 2026 – The Wardrobe, Leeds
Fri 18 Sep 2026 – Arts Club, Liverpool
Sat 19 Sep 2026 – Academy 2, Manchester
Thu 24 Sep 2026 – O2 Academy 2, Birmingham
Fri 25 Sep 2026 – O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London
Fri 02 Oct 2026 – Ulster Sports Club, Belfast
Sat 03 Oct 2026 – The Grand Social, Dublin
Ticketing & Direct Link: https://themolotovs.os.fan/
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