THE HIVES LIVE AT THE FORUM 19/7/25
The Hives are the best live band in the world and they know it. There was no manufactured humility Saturday night as they made their triumphant return to Australia nearly a decade after their last visit. Australian punk rockers ‘Split System’ ran a blistering set of raucous tunes in support, capably engaging in short, fast, loud exposure therapy, preparing the crowd for the oncoming event. Sonar beeps rang out through the forum, getting closer and closer together until the Swedish quintet exploded onto stage with a flawless rendition of ‘Modus Operandi’, the lead single from their most recent record ‘The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons’.
When The Hives returned from their slumber with that long awaited LP in 2023, it was clear that age had not wearied these purveyors of fine riffs and catchy sing-alongs. The new songs, as was clear to everyone at The Forum Saturday night, fit as well as any in their catalogue. In fact new single “Enough is Enough” off of this year’s forthcoming “The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives” got one of the biggest singalongs of the night, proving that their evergreen formula of English idiom to a jagged guitar riff is as potent as ever.
Their live performance is second to none. Frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist playfully berates the crowd the entire hour and a half, encouraging participation as he whips everyone into a frenzy. “Have you ever been to a Rock n Roll show before? Well this is a Rock n Roll show. Do you understand the assignment?” he teases before dropping another crowd favourite, ‘Walk Idiot Walk’. The band certainly understands the assignment. From the matching outfits to the bombastic energy exuded by every member, to the mysterious ninjas that rewind Almqvist’s microphone lead every time he forays into the crowd or onto the bar, to the refusal to use coloured lights dousing everything in a black and white sheen. There are no passengers in the service of Rock n Roll on The Hives - and the audience is happy to participate in their own entertainment. A singular musical experience.
The Hives are touring nationally now. New album “The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives” out August 29.