The Hives, The Swedish rock band known for their electrifying performances and infectious energy, took center stage at the o2 City Hall in Newcastle ready to deliver a high-octane show that’d no doubt leave the audience buzzing with excitement. It’d been many years since the band had visited the city and to say the crowd were ready to jump, dance and sing along was a understatement
From the moment the lights dimmed and the huge letters spelling out The Hives began to illuminate raucous cheers and applause reverberated through the venue, it was clear that The Hives were on a mission to rock the house. Frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist bounded onto the stage with boundless charisma, his dynamic stage presence immediately captivating the crowd as they plunged into their opening track “Bogus Operandi”
Wearing their trademark black and white suits donned in lighting bolts and musical notes The Hives tore through their setlist with relentless energy and precision. Each song was delivered with razor-sharp intensity, from the frenetic punk-rock anthems like "Main Offender" and "Walk Idiot Walk”
What truly sets The Hives apart from other bands is their interaction with the audience. Pelle's banter between songs was as entertaining as the music itself, as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his cheeky humour and infectious enthusiasm. Whether he was egging on mosh pits or inciting sing-alongs, Pelle had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.
The band's musicianship was top-notch throughout the night, with guitarist Nicholaus Arson and bassist Johan Gustafsson delivering blistering riffs and thunderous rhythms that drove each song forward with irresistible momentum. Drummer Chris Dangerous provided the backbone of the band's sound, his powerhouse beats keeping the audience on their feet and craving more.
As the night drew to a close, The Hives showed no signs of slowing down. When the instantly recognisable riff for “Hate to Say I Told You So” rang out they managed to pull even more from us as we chanted the riff back to them again and again. Closing out their set with an explosive encore that left the audience breathless and begging for more. Culminating with their biggest hit “Tick Tick Boom” With sweat-soaked suits and beaming smiles, the band bid farewell to the crowd, their electrifying performance leaving an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to witness it.
In conclusion, The Hives' concert was a tour de force of rock 'n' roll energy and charisma. From their electrifying stage presence to their infectious tunes, they proved once again why they're one of the most exhilarating live acts in the business. If you ever have the chance to catch The Hives in concert, don't hesitate – it's an experience you won't soon forget.
Article & Photography by Sam Wall