Photo + Words: Felix Hick

The Molotovs sold out the Tramshed in Cardiff on Thursday for their first night of the UK & ROI tour! The brother-and-sister duo, Issey and Mathew, are very quickly becoming one of the most exciting upcoming bands around, with their sound blurring the lines between Britpop and punk, and their attitude and stage presence bringing a fresh and dynamic involvement to their performances.

They had support from Shale, who were definitely a perfect choice for opening the night. Their performance instantly brought immense amounts of energy, confidence, and interest to the crowd that was quickly piling in. 

Then came The Molotovs, who did not waste a second, they instantly attacked their set with the intense raw momentum and urgency that makes live music so exciting! The basslines rang out across the Tramshed, the drums played by Noah Riley drove the sound forward, and Mathew’s vocals cut through the noise with his distinctive gritty delivery. 

The duo clearly understand the appeal of classic Britpop British indie music and show this through their memorable hooks, ringing guitar sounds, and curation of songs that demand to be sung back to them. What stood out to me the most was the fact it did not feel like a tribute to the past golden era of Britpop, they brought their own formula to the genre that is loved by most, and they could in fact be bringing a second wave of it along with them. 

One of the most enjoyable parts of the night was witnessing how broad the band’s appeal really is. There was a strong sense of presence from older fans who clearly connected with the Britpop influences running through the set, but they were not there alone! Younger faces were just as enthusiastic, dancing alongside them and embracing The Molotovs refreshing take on Britpop sound. 

Personality was a huge part of their performance too, their stage presence simply added another layer to their energy with entertaining facial expressions and interactions with the crowd – and each other – which emitted the sense that they were clearly enjoying every moment, and having fun on stage, making it impossible for the crowd not to join in with them!

If this opening night is anything to go by, The Molotovs have plenty to look forward to as the tour continues, and the audiences around the country are in for a very good time. With their sound, energy, and growing appeal across generations, this could be the beginning of something much bigger for the duo.