The Molotovs have announced a major UK tour as Midweek Chart results put them on course to enter the Top 10 with debut album Wasted On Youth (Marshall Records).
Wasted On Youth is at No.2 according to the sales flash from the Official Charts Company with 7,262 units so far (including 6,346 physical copies, 805 downloads and 111 sales-equivalent streams).
The chart success, based on pre-orders of the physical editions, has been driven by heavy touring with more than 600 shows to date.
The band have now revealed they will step up to bigger venues in September with a 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.
Ant Andrews, of Expectation Management, said: “We focused on building demand first through touring, physicals and real audiences, using social content to amplify the story as it unfolded. Once that momentum was clear, everything else followed.”
John Giddings and Charly Beedell-Tuck, of the Solo booking agency, are steering the live strategy.
John Giddings said: “You can tell how good a group is by how many tickets they’re selling before they even release any music. The Molotovs sold out Dingwalls, Scala and two provincial tours before the album – over 15,000 tickets so far, and counting.”
What The Molotovs have achieved in such a short space of time is extraordinary
Steve Tannett
Alan Edwards, founder of the Outside Organisation PR agency, and André Langlois were brought in by the band’s management.
Alan Edwards said: “There are two fundamentals that never alter: the song and the ability to perform it live – and The Molotovs are proof that building a band from the ground up still works. Having already sold 15,000 tickets before releasing an album, they are an antidote to the carefully controlled, anodyne music of today.”
The band are signed to Marshall Records, run by industry veteran Steve Tannett and senior label manager Ellys Airy.
Recorded at Marshall Studio with producer Jason Perry, and mixed and mastered by Blair Crichton from Dead Pony, Wasted On Youth features sibling duo Matt and Issey Cartlidge with drummer Noah Riley.
Steve Tannett said: “What The Molotovs have achieved in such a short space of time is extraordinary. The band and the team should be very proud. It’s fitting that Marshall Records achieves its first Top 10 album in our 10th anniversary year.”
The Molotovs recently signed a global publishing deal with Notting Hill Music.
Head of creative John Saunderson said: “We were absolutely delighted to sign The Molotovs early. We totally believed in Matt, Issey and Noah from the moment I saw them live. Their energy, passion and songwriting skills make them so unique in today’s market place. Wasted on Youth is a work of art – it has our full support and it’s so good to be working with Marshall Records and Expectation Management… The A Team right there.”
Matt Cartlidge, from the Molotovs, 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 Cartlidge, from the Molotovs, added: “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.”
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, February 5.
PHOTO: Derek De Souza
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