The Molotovs - Jacaranda Baltic - Liverpool - 5th Feb 2026

Album Launch Show

Story by Matthew Murray

06/02/2026

The show is one of a series of small venue gigs happening over the week of the release of the Molotovs debut album ‘ Wasted on Youth’. The album has found itself in a race for the UK Album chart number 1 spot. Currently it is neck and neck with Lily Allen’s West End Girl, which has just had a boost due to its Vinyl release this week. We will find out who won at about 7pm UK time today (Friday 6th Feb 2026).

The show at the Jacaranda Baltic, the 400 capacity venue in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, was fronted with total showmanship by Mathew and Issey Cartlidge. Issey was like a woman possessed by the spirit of mod and punk. Perhaps channeling and blending the energy and attitude of Susie Quatro and Poly Styrene. Mathew with the sharp suit, stabby guitars and jerky movement emphasising his points embodies Paul Weller in the early Jam days. That’s no bad thing and it's something that's been missing from the UK music scene for a while. They played for about 45 minutes including an encore. This wasn’t really a full show though, it was specifically for the album launch. They have a full tour in bigger venues shortly. Focusing mainly on songs from the album, including the fabulous ‘Geraldine’ , ‘Newsflash’, ‘Today's Gonna be our day’ and ‘Popstar’. They also threw in an awesome uptempo cover of Bowie's ‘Suffragette City’.

Support was from the pretty incredible Liverpool based band ‘The Sukis’. We noted that they have a Graham Coxon doppelganger playing some amazing guitar on his cool Rickenbacker. Definitely ones to watch out for.