Indie
The Molotovs announce major UK tour as debut album Wasted On Youth battles Lily Allen's West End Girl for No.1
The Molotovs have announced their biggest headline UK tour to date amid a chart battle with Lily Allen.
The Molotovs have announced a major UK headline tour as their debut album Wasted On Youth surges up the Official Charts, with midweek figures placing the band in contention for the No.1 spot.
The record’s rapid rise is the result of a grassroots, touring‑first campaign that has seen the teenage trio build a loyal following through relentless gigging rather than online hype. Siblings Matt (17) and Issey Cartlidge (19) have already played more than 600 shows, steadily expanding their fanbase across the country.
The band will take their biggest step yet this September with the Welcome To Urbia tour, which includes a headline date at London’s 2,300‑capacity O2 Kentish TownForum alongside major venues in Nottingham, Brighton, Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham.
Tickets go on sale on Thursday (05.02.26) HERE.
In Monday’s (02.02.26) midweek update, Wasted On Youth landed at No.2 in the Official Albums Chart - just behind Lily Allen and ahead of Olivia Dean, Cast and Kula Shaker. The band joked on Instagram that they were “in a chart war with some new, unsigned band called Lily Allen,” prompting Allen to respond: “It’s all love baby, @TheMolotovs, hope you win the war.”
The album’s chart momentum has been powered by physical sales, with more than 6,000 pre‑orders from fans who have followed the group’s intense touring schedule. Over the past two years, The Molotovs have sold 15,000 tickets across the UK.
Frontman 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… To see that raw energy bottled into our debut album is massive.”
Issey added: “We’re delighted with the chart success, but that’s not what we’re about. Our passion is getting out around the country and the world, playing for audiences new and old. That love of music can help build a positivity and optimism sorely lacking elsewhere in 2026.”
The Molotovs – UK and Ireland Tour Dates 2026:
September 3 – Tamshed, Cardiff
September 4 – Palais, Nottingham
September 5 – Chalk, Brighton
September 10 – TV Studio, Glasgow
September 11 – Digital, Newcastle
September 12 – Foundry, Sheffield
September 17 – The Wardrobe, Leeds
September 18 – Arts Club, Liverpool
September 19 – Academy 2, Manchester
September 24 – O2 Academy 2, Birmingham
September 25 – O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London
October 2 – Ulster Sports Club, Belfast
October 3 – The Grand Social, Dublin
