The Molotovs – Live in Leeds 2026 – “direct, sassy assertion”

Leeds Becketts University Student Union 18^th September 2026

Somewhere beyond energetic, The Molotovs have worked so hard to make a set that impresses. In constant motion, slamming song after song out and dressed impeccably, they deserve the hype that’s flying about. In Leeds tonight, a year on from playing a 250-capacity venue, they’ve had this year’s venue upgraded to a packed 1,000 hall. In an all-too-brief hour, they pack a score of songs in, barely pausing and leave us thrilled. Like that other full-on experience, The Jim Jones Experience, playing any longer would mean a drop in energy.

Three-pieces are a great format, ramping up the individual efforts into the purest form of rock. The drummer is insanely frantically fast, while siblings Matt and Issey Cartlidge have their act nailed perfectly. Only in their teens, the energy is at crazy levels and while they wear their influences on their sleeves, riffs and forms are only borrowed from the very best. Of course the choppy sound and Matt’s accent will always draw Jam comparisons but the sound has a punkier, harder edge. The vocal wooo-aaahs add to that comparison but, for original material from such a young band, there will always be a starting point to springboard from. And it’s not just a springboard; it’s a massive leap up, like Matt’s excited jumps. He pummels his high pitched, thin-strung guitar as a purely percussive instrument, with the occasional solo being remarkable only in being unnecessary. Issey pouts, poses, spins and yet somehow puts out a solid, tuneful and essential bass sound.

‘Join Us’ is a highlight, with a choppy set of riffs, backing chorus and strong melody. It’s all about the sound and sloganeering hooks, while actual lyric content isn’t that strong – ‘Down At The Cafe’ is pretty much just the title repeated – but no-one is looking for poetry when the music temperature is so high. ‘More More More’; simplicity itself, is all about the stop-start, the chorus and the riff. That’s what rock is. That, plus attitude and style. The band have plenty of that too, with a Mod style nailed in Matt’s presentation and merch added to an attitude of direct, sassy assertion and sex appeal.