Taking place at Coal Drops Yard, the King’s Cross Summer Sounds begins on August 13 and runs until the 23^rd. This year, it promises its “most exciting line-up yet, seamlessly blending the world’s best folk, jazz, soul, classical and indie rock music with dynamic dance performances and exceptional local talent.” The Molotovs are the first slated act and will be playing a Bowie inspired set. Support will come from Ashaine White and Jack Kaye, former frontman of The Magic Gang. All artists on Friday’s bill are preparing covers of Bowie’s hits which will “celebrate [his] impact on music today.”

The Molotovs’ vocalist, Matt Cartlidge says of the upcoming show, “We can’t wait to get on stage at King’s Cross Summer Sounds – and to pay tribute to David Bowie, one of this company’s musical legends. The Lightroom show is phenomenal and this gig is going to be something special.”

Formed in 2020 by siblings, Matt and Issey Cartlidge, The Molotovs have been hotly rising on the scene for the past year. Their debut album “Wasted on Youth” released just this January and peaked at Number 3 on the UK Official Album charts. NME called the album “a collection of breakneck rock ‘n’ roll and uncompromising Brit-punk.” The duo’s explosive success has been debated online with some saying they are “nepo babies” but to that, Max Cartlidge says, “they don’t see the slog for the past six years.”

The Molotovs have been determined to cut their teeth on their local scene, playing over 600 gigs across their six year career. This has included anything from busking in London parks and playing sweaty club shows, to opening for the Sex Pistols at Royal Albert Hall. They have become ambassadors to the Music Venue Trust, a charity committed to protecting grassroots music venues. Matt Cartlidge calls the ambassadorship “ the bread and butter of what [The Molotovs] do.”

Bassist and vocalist Issey Cartlidge says their restraint on releasing music for five years was fundamental to their explosive success, as was their long journey through grassroots venues. “People are desperate – now more than ever – for those real connections,” she told NME, “instead of everything being substituted to a digital sphere where art has become increasingly devalued because of how disposable it is. We want to bring back that kind of meaning to music.”

Their surprise headliner spot at King’s Cross Summer Series is the natural next step for them, a free concert series “celebrating diversity and spirit of community,” while paying homage to one of their musical inspirations, David Bowie. The Molotovs take the stage at Coal Drops Yard at 6:30 PM on Thursday, August 13.

Lightroom is currently hosting a Bowie-themed exhibit which opened in April of this year. It uses “state-of-the-art digital projection and audio technology to create mind-blowing immersive experiences.” And it includes a mixture of rare and never-before-seen archival footage of Bowie’s career.

After Friday’s show, The Molotovs will embark on their ‘Welcome to Urbia’ UK tour. They will hit Nottingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, London and more. Last remaining tickets are available here.

The Molotovs ‘Welcome to Urbia’ UK Tour 2026

3/9 – Tramshed – Cardiff, UK

4/9 – Palais – Nottingham, UK

5/9 – Chalk – Brighton, UK

10/9 – TV Studio – Glasgow, UK

11/9 – Digital – Newcastle, UK

12/9 – Foundry – Sheffield, UK

17/9 – The Wardrobe – Leeds, UK

18/9 – Arts Club – Liverpool, UK

19/9 – Academy 2 – Manchester

24/9 – O2 Academy 2 – Birmingham, UK

25/9 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London

26/9 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London

2/10 – Ulster Sports Club – Belfast, IE

3/10 – The Grand Social – Dublin, IE

The stage, positioned next to the main arena, is part of the MVT’s effort to give grassroots acts exposure at some of the UK’s biggest shows. Coldplay, who brought their ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour to Wembley earlier this month, have partnered with the organisation throughout their 10-date residency at the stadium. Ten per cent of ticket proceeds from the run are being donated directly to the MVT, which supports small venues across the country.

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Speaking about the experience, vocalist and guitarist Issy Cartlidge highlighted the shared importance of grassroots venues to both emerging artists and global stars. She said from the stage: “Whether it’s Coldplay or The Molotovs, one thing almost all bands have in common is that they developed their craft, and their audience, playing at grassroots venues up and down the country,” she said.

“While Coldplay started out at the likes of the Falcon and the Bull & Gate, we played the likes of The Half Moon, The 100 Club and Spice of Life – where we still host a weekly music night, Incendiary, with some of London’s best young guitar bands. Another thing we have in common is that we are music fans, and without these venues we wouldn’t get to see amazing artists in action.”

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Formed by siblings Matthew and Issy Cartlidge, The Molotovs have established themselves as one of the UK’s hardest-working young bands, playing more than 600 shows despite still being in their teens. Their reputation has earned them high-profile support slots, most recently opening for the Sex Pistols. They will join the punk icons once again on their upcoming North American tour, beginning September 16 at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas.

Coldplay’s partnership with the MVT comes amid growing concern over the future of small venues. The organisation has warned that one grassroots space is closing every two weeks, describing the situation as a potential “collapse of touring” for emerging artists. For years, the MVT has campaigned for a mandatory £1 levy on arena and stadium tickets to be reinvested in the grassroots sector, a move it argues is essential to sustain the pipeline of talent that feeds into the wider music industry.

By spotlighting acts like The Molotovs at Wembley, the collaboration highlights the vital role smaller stages continue to play in shaping the next generation of headliners.

In case you missed it, MXDWNs earlier coverage of Only The Poets announcing the £1 levy for their 02 academy Brixton show can be read here.