Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
Carl Barât Joins The Molotovs On Stage In London For 'What A Waster'
The Libertines' Carl Barât surprised fans at The Molotovs' sold-out O2 Forum Kentish Town show, joining the sibling punk duo for a rendition of the 2002 single 'What A Waster'.
Carl Barât of The Libertines made a surprise appearance at The Molotovs' sold-out London show on Saturday night, joining the sibling punk duo on stage for a raucous rendition of «What A Waster». The collaboration closed out the band's 21-song set at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, marking the second of two consecutive nights at the venue.
The performance came five years after The Molotovs supported The Libertines at the same venue in 2021. Before introducing Barât, guitarist and vocalist Mathew Cartlidge addressed the crowd, while bassist and vocalist Issey reflected on the band's journey from opening act to headliner. «This is not the first time we've played this place – and I don't mean yesterday», Issey told the audience. «It was back in December 2021, supporting none other than The Libertines. So here we are now, 600 gigs later – a better slot than just when doors open. We've got you lot to thank for following us on this journey. So, thank you very much. This isn't the final destination; this is only a step along the way».
The cover of «What A Waster», The Libertines' 2002 debut single, which appeared on their first album «Up The Bracket», capped a landmark week for The Molotovs. The duo's two-night stand at the Kentish Town venue formed part of their current UK and Ireland headline tour, which concludes with shows in Belfast and Dublin later this week.
Barât praised the band in a statement following the performance. «The Molotovs are a true force for good for music today», he said. «Years busking on every street corner in the city – and supporting some of the finest acts around – to selling out two forums on their own, they've managed to carve their path the old school way». He added: «I wish them hearty congratulations and continued greatness».
The guitarist and singer first met the band when they were young teenagers preparing to busk in the rain near The Libertines' Albion Rooms hotel in Margate. The Molotovs later wrote on Instagram after their double-header in the capital: «London, we can't thank you enough. Two nights now engraved».
The Molotovs are set to support Razorlight on their «America» 20th anniversary UK and Ireland tour later this year. Their second studio album, «Welcome To Urbia», is due for release on April 9, 2027. It will follow their UK Number Three debut, «Wasted On Youth», which arrived this January. The band recently previewed the forthcoming record with the single «Urbia», described as moody and driving.
Speaking about their first LP earlier this year, Mathew explained: «The album is a bit of a youth manifesto. An attitude of the youth, and it's trying to inspire young people to change their environment. I can only write about what I see in my environment. I can't write about Mars like David Bowie. I'm not that imaginative yet, or maybe the drugs haven't come yet».
Meanwhile, The Molotovs opened the King's Cross Summer Sounds series in London last month with a free, David Bowie-inspired show. Last year, Carl Barât joined Suki Waterhouse on stage at the O2 Forum Kentish Town for a live cover of The Libertines' «Can't Stand Me Now». More recently, he appeared in the all-star choir that contributed to the «Help(2)» charity album for War Child.
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