The Molotovs shut down ‘Oasis Street’ in Soho with a Christmas guerrilla gig in aid of The Big Issue. See clips below.
On Tuesday (December 16), the London punk duo and siblings Matt and Issey put on the show in Berwick Street – the street that features on the cover of Oasis’s ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ in support of the ‘Stop, Talk and Support’ Christmas campaign.
They played songs from their forthcoming debut album ‘Wasted On Youth’, as well as a sing-along of Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’. The gig comes as part of Big Issue’s Christmas campaign, which highlights the decline in casual social interaction and the number of people stopping for a chat with vendors. You can support the campaign here.
The Molotovs encouraged Londoners to engage with their local Big Issue vendors – including Paul and Terry, who were at the gig and often sell the magazine near Oxford Circus and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Speaking on the campaign, Matt said: “One of the tragedies of the struggles facing society today is that so many people get left behind. The Big Issue does an amazing job at helping people but it’s down to the rest of us to make sure vendors, just like everyone else, are true parts of the community.
“It takes so little time to stop and have a chat with someone, but too often we all just walk past with our eyes fixed on our phone or the street ahead,” Matt continued. “We all need, more often, to ‘stop, talk and support’.”
Big Issue Vendor Paul added: “It makes all the difference in the world when people stop and chat. Some people do and some people don’t. It reminds people you’re human when you can have a conversation, rather than making you feel invisible.”
Issey said: “There is so much division being created in society today but we can choose to
respond humanely, treating people as people, with understanding and empathy. Our lives can be fragile and all our circumstances can change in an instant. Everyone selling the Big Issue has a story to tell and deserves our support.”
Russell Blackman, Managing Director of Big Issue, said: “We’re super grateful to The Molotovs for drumming up support for our vendors on their most important weekend of the year for sales. There’s nothing like a guerilla gig to get people to stop, start a conversation and take time out of their busy shopping schedules to engage with the vendors in the vicinity. Please support your local Big Issue vendor this winter as they brave the elements to sell and earn a hugely important income.”
Approved by Green Day and having recently supported Sex Pistols, The Molotovs have played over 600 gigs since forming in lockdown. Next January, they’ll kick off their headline tour, just before they support Yungblud on his UK and Ireland arena tour next spring.
Starting at Glasgow’s King Tut’s, where they’ll then travel to cities like Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield and Blackpool.
They’ll also play a set of record store dates, including Kingston’s Banquet Records, London’s Rough Trade Denmark Street and Liverpool’s Jacaranda Records.
Buy your tickets here and see the full list of dates below:
The Molotovs’ 2026 UK headline tour dates are:
JANUARY
6 – King Tut’s, Glasgow
7 – Lending Room, Leeds
8 – Gorilla, Manchester
9 – Thekla, Bristol
11 – The Cavern, Exeter
13 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
14 – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
15 – Esquires, Bedford
16 – Ramsgate Music Hall, Ramsgate
21 – Hallamshire Hotel, Sheffield
22 – The Bootleg Social, Blackpool
23 – The Sugarmill, Stoke
24 – Monks Waterside, Aylesbury
26 – The Brook, Southampton
27 – The Black Prince, Northampton
28 – The Waterfront Studio, Norwich
30 – Banquet Records At Kingston College, Kingston
31 – Resident Music, Shop, Brighton
FEBRUARY
1 – Rough Trade, Denmark Street, London
2 – Sister Ray at 100 Club, London
4 – HMV, Shop, Cardiff
5 – Jacaranda Records, Shop, Liverpool
Elsewhere, The Molotovs will play The Great Escape Festival in 2026 alongside NME 100 2025 alumni Maruja, Nia Smith and Ugly.