Yungblud’s decision to bring The Molotovs on tour didn’t come from a label meeting or industry introduction — it started with a spontaneous chat at a Camden bar.
The duo – comprising siblings Issey, 19, and 17-year-old Mathew Cartlidge – explained that they first crossed paths at The Hawley Arms, a pub Yungblud frequents.
Speaking exclusively to ContactMusic.com, Yungblud said: “Yeah, we met him in the pub, his favourite pub is The Hawley Arms in Camden. And I’ve got a mate that works there, well a couple of mates that work there.”
After being tipped off that Yungblud would be dropping by, Mathew headed over.
What followed was a surreal moment.
Mathew recounted: “I went up to the bar to get a drink, and Yungblud was there. And he just looked at me. I looked at him, and he went, ‘I love your band.’”
The singer then invited him behind the bar for a photo — a picture Mathew remembers but can’t currently locate — before extending an unexpected invitation.
He continued: “He said come up to the afterparty later… it was like, I want you guys to come on tour with me. And that’s how it happened. His manager was there as well… his manager was behind it.”
Despite the rock‑and‑roll setting of their first meeting, Mathew insisted that life on the road won’t be one long party.
The band – who were in a chart battle with Lily Allen recently with their debut album, Wasted on Youth, reaching number three in the UK – are determined to stay focused while opening for Yungblud.
Mathew said: “I mean, I doubt it’s gonna be partying every night. We take it pretty seriously. And if you go on a stage hungover every night, you’re not gonna give a good gig.”
Issey added that The Molotovs aren’t interested in living up to outdated clichés
She said: “We don’t buy into the whole rock and roll myth, and rock and roll lifestyle. How are you gonna create music and get back into rehearsal? If you are p**** all the time. It’s just not gonna work like that. And that’s sort of the perpetual like rock and roll myth. But it’s exactly what it is.”
The Molotovs have previously opened for The Libertines, Sex Pistols, Blondie, Iggy Pop and The Damned.
Yungblud’s sold-out arena tour with support from The Molotovs and The Warning kicks off on April 11 in Sheffield.
Later this year, the band will embark on their own headline run, dubbed Welcome To Urbia, which recently added more dates due to demand.
Head to themolotovs.os.fan for tickets.