Mod is so back – The Molotovs in Newcastle, 11/9/2026
Siblings Issey and Matt Cartlidge of The Molotovs have gone from busking the streets of London to a sold-out tour in some of the most exciting venues across the UK. Marrying the driving drumbeats of The Jam with the edgy stage presence of Sex Pistols and Blondie, The Molotovs have carved out their own identity in the UK’s current mod revival. Their packed-out gig at Newcastle’s Digital on Friday was definitely one to remember.
As an outsider to this genre, I was unsure of what to expect from the night. When I arrived, it was clear to see that the band’s consistent gigging had paid off into a dedicated fanbase. The floor was packed from front to back with excited fans, a mix of those who would’ve been around for the subculture’s earlier days and new fans eager to get involved in the revival.
The Molotovs came on stage with unmistakable bravado, sporting classic punk-rock clothing and styled blonde hair. They were joined by touring drummer Noah Riley, whose sharp suit evoked the unmistakable sharpness of the 60s mod era. The band opened the show with ‘Johnny Don’t Be Scared’, filling the room with infectious energy that would be present throughout the whole show. I was captivated by Issey’s stage presence in these opening moments. Despite the minimal staging she made use of every inch of space available, carrying herself with a Blondie-esque swagger that was hard to take your eyes off.
Having played over 600 gigs in five years, The Molotovs level of experience was clear in the expertly arranged and polished set. Supported by Riley’s tight, bouncing drumbeats, the second song ‘Rhythm of Yourself’ kept the electricity flowing. Matt provided several thrilling guitar moments through the opening songs, and I was just as impressed by his vocals. He adopted a classic distinctly London vocal tone that I thought had been lost to time. His energy didn’t waver as the band kicked into the fan favourite ‘Geraldine’. Although the crowd was engaged throughout, I feel the setlist invited more dancing than was returned. Regardless, it was refreshing to see so few phones held high. I’m always entertained by a crowd-clapping moment, and this audience gave those in spades.
The setlist was a well-crafted mix of, singles, album gems and unreleased material. It’s difficult to be nostalgic for an era you weren’t alive for, but The Molotovs took me back in time with their old-school sound. Tracks like ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’ and ‘More More More’ displayed a deep understanding of their influences whilst having their own Gen Z flavour. The latter literally had Issey and Matt jumping whilst the crowd sang the hook.
A standout moment from the set was ‘Urbia’, the lead single from the band’s upcoming album. The song blends mod and indie influences that translated into a fantastic groove when performed live. Later on was a performance of the unreleased track ‘Father Flag.’
The main set came to a powerful close with a performance of the fan favourite ‘Newsflash.’ By this point, it was clear that The Molotovs are a class act. From start to finish, they carried themselves with conviction and expertise. Issey and Matt, supported by the incredibly drumming of Riley, made the perfect duo, hungry to provide an incredible show for the audience. With consistent swagger, vocal performances and riveting guitar melodies, they gave that tenfold.
After a stellar main set, The Molotovs exited the stage to a roaring crowd. Little did I know they had an extra trick up their sleeve - Matt returned alone carrying an acoustic guitar to perform an encore. His stripped-back performances of ‘Nothing Keeps Her Away’ and the unreleased ‘The Man Who Could Never Be’ became a highlight of the show because it presented a side to The Molotovs that I hadn’t expected. Matt’s typically gritty vocal style translated beautifully to a more acoustic style. The crowd appreciated this encore as much as I did.
Coming out of this show, it was clear to see that the current mod revival is in safe hands. Next April, The Molotovs will release their sophomore album ‘Welcome to Urbia.’ It’s been well received by crowds across the country and only makes me curious to see how it will fare on release. As made clear by the demand for this tour, mod has a place in the current market. For fans of The Jam, Sex Pistols, The Libertines and many more, keep The Molotovs on your radar. They are a blazing force in the UK mod revival, here to stay and take charge.
Article By Emilie Shaw
