On a warm London evening, Coal Drops Yard became the perfect setting for a summer set that marked the opening night of King’s Cross Summer Sounds 2026, the free music and performance festival returning to the neighbourhood until the 23rd of August.
This year’s opening night came in partnership with Lightroom’s Bowie Nights, celebrating David Bowie’s enduring influence on a new generation of musicians, with each artist incorporating a Bowie cover into their set: a popular choice indeed if the crowd around them was anything to go by.
Rising star Ashaine White opted for Bowie’s dreamy classic “Life on Mars?”, describing it as one of the iconic artist’s “most beautiful songs” and a perfect fit for a heartfelt and mellow set. By contrast, the former frontman of The Magic Gang Jack Kaye, brought “Heroes” into a popular and energising set that celebrated the release of his debut EP Go Easy, including tracks “Dora” and “The Weight”.
Buoyed by the energy of two fantastic openers, The Molotovs hit the stage: as expected from the electrifying duo, the set was electric. As long-time listeners of the duo know, they play with the confidence of musicians twice their age, and they’ve already had a whirlwind 2026 in which they have taken music to even greater heights. From a relentless tour, an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show and their debut album Wasted on Youth reaching Number Three on the UK Albums Chart, their live performance doesn’t give off even a hint that the duo have been at it non-stop.
The twosome barrelled through their set with no time to waste on dead air. Rocketing from track to track, including fan favourites “More More More” and “Rhythm of Yourself”, they eventually landed on “Suffragette City” as their Bowie selection. Band member Issey Cartlidge called the song “the zenith of our live set”, adding: “It buzzes with frenetic punk energy and is an electric shock to the audience.”
Judging by the raucous crowd, she certainly wasn’t wrong.
With the modern industrial architecture around them, a huge crowd, and a summer warmth so palpable you could touch it, the performance felt like a truly communal experience and a fantastic showcase for all three artists. At a time when concert tickets are becoming more expensive than ever and questions are being rightly raised about rising costs turning live music into a form of cultural gatekeeping, the evening was a reminder that great gigs don’t need to break the bank to feel special.
The Molotovs are performing at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, London on the 25 & 26 September 2026. The Molotovs can be found on Instagram here. Ashaine White can be found on Instagram here. Jack Kaye’s newest EP Go Easy is out now. Jack Kaye can be found on Instagram here.
