THE MOLOTOVS BRING A SPLASH OF PUNK-Y CHOAS TO KINGS CROSS

LIVE REVIEW | THE MOLOTOVS w/ ASHAINE WHITE + JACK KAYE | COAL DROPS YARD, LONDON | 13th August 2026 by James O’Sullivan

Even at 6:30 pm, London’s temperature was pushing 35°C. It meant that the few hundred already in place for the night’s events were sweltering and suffering. Despite both the shade offered by the setting and the liberal sprinkling of King’s Cross-emblazoned, hammock-like deck chairs arrayed in front of the stage, a slight miasma of lethargy hung over everyone present, broken only by the persistent thought of “yes, you should run through the water features and public splash pads; no, you won’t look like a deranged, dripping loon afterwards”.

Or maybe that was just me?

The opening of King’s Cross Summer Sounds, subtitled here as ‘Bowie Night’, was a particularly warm affair. Tucked into the shaded, futuristic surroundings of Coal Drops Yard, the free event offered a suitably intimate setting to celebrate one of this country’s most legendary musical icons. Presented in partnership with Lightroom, and home to the immersive David Bowie: You’re Not Alone exhibit (running until January!), the evening saw each act pay tribute to David Bowie by throwing a cover into their sets. Running the gamut from indie-rock and punk to RnB, Americana, and instrumental folk, with a bit of jazz thrown in for good measure, there was something for everyone.

First up was Jack Kaye, the former frontman of The Magic Gang. Now embarking on a solo career, he used the evening to show off his own wares. His set was mostly comprised of tracks lifted from his debut EP Go Easy, out now. Built around chilled-out arrangements and a relaxed drumbeat, tracks like ‘Dora, The Weight‘, ‘Big Blue Eyes‘ and ‘Emma‘ showcased his reflective side and gave a glimpse of what’s next for the singer. A final rendition of Bowie’s ‘Heroes‘ provided the requisite nod to the evening’s theme. It was understated, and perhaps lacked the same celebratory urgency that the opening of a big ol’ curated list of performances might otherwise demand. However, there was an appealing warmth to Kaye’s performance – a gentle introduction to a new chapter.

On paper, Ashaine White seemed an unusual fit between an indie troubadour and punk-rock rising stars. Yet her soulful vocals quickly won over the quietly attentive crowd. Drawing on Jeff Buckley, Nirvana, jazz, alternative rock and soul, those influences came through in the tense ‘Let Me Down’. However, ‘Wasting Away’ was the standout: dark and angry, with a discordant guitar riff simmering beneath White’s softer vocals. She was brilliant, and a haunting, stripped-back rendition of ‘Life on Mars‘ provided a beautiful finale. As the set ended, much of the crowd headed straight to the merch desk to thank her. Catch her at The Windmill, Brixton, on 30th September.

Finally came The Molotovs. The London duo arrived dressed for a tundra, with frontman Matt Cartlidge wearing the mod equivalent of his Sunday best, before launching into a ferociously energetic set. The seated crowd quickly charged towards the stage, suddenly remembering they were at a punk-rock gig. Openers ‘Johnny Don’t Be Scared’ and ‘Daydreaming‘ got everyone moving, while the jaunty ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’ added tambourine and a surf-rock guitar solo. The upbeat ‘Rhythm of Yourself’ then matched the crowd’s joyous momentum. There was also room for ‘Down at the Cafe’, a newer track closer to The Smiths than the duo’s familiar punk sound. Its jangling guitar and Morrissey-like melancholy offered a glimpse of where they might head next.

For a band with barely a handful of years behind them, The Molotovs already carry the confidence of considerably more established performers. Joking about their upcoming O2 Kentish Town Forum shows on 25th and 26th September, they cajoled everyone still undecided into attending, promising another ten songs to win them over. Likely unnecessarily, as it turns out, the shows are all but sold out, with only a few remaining tickets!

‘Newsflash‘ led into Bowie’s ‘Suffragette City‘, a song Issey had previously described as the zenith of their live set. Originally the B-side to their first single, the group’s cover becomes exactly what you’d expect in their hands: frantic, wiry, and electrifying, Bowie’s glam swagger filtered through the duo’s punk instincts. It was also the only Bowie cover of the night which felt deliberate. The track had appeared extensively in the group’s live archives, and throwing it into the middle of the set felt a tad more natural than tacking it on at the end.

The title track from their debut album, ‘Wasted on Youth’, was followed by new single ‘Urbia’ and the infectiously fun ‘Come On Now’. Matt then offered the crowd a choice: a fast song or a mid-tempo one? ‘Fast’ won, to nobody’s surprise, and King’s Cross got the live debut of ‘Stories’. The frantic ‘More More More‘ brought the night to a close, playfully mocking an audience’s relentless demands for an encore.

Well, besides an impromptu signing at a nearby record shop anyway!

Having The Molotovs close a celebration of Bowie felt almost full circle. Like Bowie himself, the duo are clearly influenced by what came before, yet confident enough to reshape those influences and carve out their own path.

Before they took the stage, we sat down with Matt and Issey from the band to discuss just why the night meant so much to them, their new album and why they are so passionate about reviving youth spirit in live music. Read more here…