Come on! The greatest band in the world hit up the city of rock in out-and-out fashion.
Still reeling from this one, in all honesty.
As we kicked off the night with the pre-party, – which was a wholesome moment for bassist dad of two with sons taking up mantle of the guitar/drums – anticipation was rife.
We knew just how fast this tour had sold out and how much folks were vying for spare tickets. The return of The Hives to our live setting after over ten years – with a new record to shoe in, no less – was extremely exciting. What better venue than Rock City – a venue christened with symbol of rock and an icon of rock soon-to-be-adorned here?
Questions like are The Hives still a band were answered when the brash garage-rock house-of-Swedish-six announced that their sixth studio album, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, would be released in August of 2023. Rumours of the band returning to fine form were squandered when a sprawling UK/Europe tour was announced later that year. A swaggering style of rock ‘n’ roll inspired by the likes of Stooges and Sonics, The Hives are notoriously known for their outlandishly explosive live shows; often putting on a quite flippant display of their own show. But they needn’t not be. They know how good they are.
Some say it’s gimmicky with their black-and-white getup and their imaginary guidance of Fitzsimmons leading the way, but I think it’s bloody brilliant. It’s just rock ‘n’ roll to a tee and the Swedes do it so so well. No party tricks, no overzealous intentions. Just well-suited and booted for a stalwart showing from rock prodigies, who have been around since the late-90s. Can you believe it.
Supported by fellow punk apprentices of Bad Nerves leading the way for a night of ma-hoosive sound – fan-favourite Can’t Be Mine set the scene – the stage strut out with H-I-V-E-S letter logos as the band walked out on to Bogus Operandi – the stand-out from the newbie album.
The setlist was bolstered with a 20-track roster of classic Hives as Walk Idiot Walk cascaded into Good Samaritan. The new tracks also felt right at home, as Stick Up was sandwiched between Go Right Ahead and their quintessential Hate to Say I Told You So. The tour also boasted many-a tracks’ live showings since some time ago with Bigger Hole to Fill and Die, All Right! playing out in spectacular fashion before a frenetic encore blew the roof off. In quick succession, Howlin’ Pele and co blitzed off Come On!, Smoke & Mirrors and Tick Tick Boom as they clocked in over fifty minutes of material over seven records.
manvmusic.com 
Leave a comment