The Hives

The Swedish rock quintet The Hives returned to London this weekend, headlining their largest UK show to date at Alexandra Palace. Supported by the post-punk sharpness of Spiritual Cramp and Leeds’ Yard Act, it was a night that promised so much.

The evening’s challenge began not with the music but the venue’s notoriously vast and often draughty confines. Despite the relatively mild November weather, the cavernous interior of Ally Pally felt notably cold, a condition that the supporting acts were tasked with warming up.

San Francisco’s Spiritual Cramp provided an assertive, high-energy opening, laying down a foundation of gritty, driving punk rock. They ceded the stage to Yard Act, who arrived to the unlikely, soothing sound of All Saints’ Pure Shores. Frontman James Smith swiftly engaged the audience, promising a 45-minute dose of “full fat unfiltered fun.” The band showcased their lyrical wit and rhythmic dexterity, with newer material like 'New Direction' proving particularly sharp and well-received among their more familiar tracks. Crucially, it also seemed as if long-standing sound issues, which have hampered previous concerts, appeared to have been resolved, providing a necessary clarity for the support acts’ intricate dynamics and offered up a riveting headline prospect.

The arrival of the Hives was a statement in itself. Dressed in their signature sharp black-and-white suits, illuminated with embedded lights, they now present themselves not merely as musicians but as a unified, meticulously crafted work of art.

Frontman Pelle Almqvist, or Howlin’ Pelle, immediately established command over the enormous space, introducing the band and declaring: “You are seeing peak Hives, our biggest London show and we have decided to stay on the peak.” This blend of self-aggrandisement and genuine confidence is central to their appeal. Since their 11 year break and two classic albums The Hives seem reborn, unstoppable.

A masterclass in high-impact garage rock followed, opening with 'Enough Is Enough', setting a ferocious pace that rarely slackened. Early hits like 'Walk Idiot Walk' and 'Main Offender' were deployed quickly, helping to heat the crowd. Tracks from the recent past and their current album, such as 'Rigor Mortis Radio', 'Paint a Picture', and 'Born a Rebel', slotted seamlessly into the setlist, matching the energy of the classics and warmly welcomed by the mosh pit.

Almqvist orchestrated the crowd with the focused zeal of a conductor, leaping up and down the catwalk, his commanding presence and jocular tone captivating. Highlights included the chaotic urgency of 'Hate to Say I Told You So' and my personal favourite 'Bogus Operandi', both delivered with razor-sharp guitars hooks from the lead singers brother Niklas Almqvist and Vigilante Carlstroem.

'Tick Tick Boom' saw Almqvist deliver his hyped up band introductions at the end of the catwalk. Introducing himself as his own “favourite member of the band,” to massive applause. He holds the crowd well and truly in his hand.

The band returned for an encore that began with 'Legalize Living' and included 'Smoke & Mirrors' after seeing a crowd poster and "going off-script" indeed having seen the setlist at the end this was not on it. The band then joined for a group bow to Carly Simon's 'Nobody Does It Better' capping a fine evening of music.

A self-proclaimed “masterclass” in live rock music. The Hives have reached a new summit and on this form they don't intend on coming down anytime soon.

Without doubt one of the best live bands around. The Hives Forever Forever The Hives!

Setlist
1. Enough Is Enough
2. Walk Idiot Walk
3. Rigor Mortis Radio
4. Paint a Picture
5. Main Offender
6. Born a Rebel
7. Stick Up
8. Bogus Operandi
9. Hate to Say I Told You So
10. O.C.D.O.D.
11. I'm Alive
12. Here We Go Again
13. Countdown to Shutdown
14. Come On!
15. Tick Tick Boom

Encore:
16. Legalize Living
17. Bigger Hole to Fill
18. Smoke & Mirrors
19. The Hives Forever Forever The Hives