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With a combination of chaos and killer energy, it can only be The Hives!
On one of Sydney’s chilliest evenings this winter, The Enmore Theatre was ablaze with energy thanks to a line-up that saw punk trio Clamm open for Sweden’s chief mischief-makers, The Hives. Fans entered the venue shivering.. but not for long. As the room filled, the buzz was undeniable: this was the Hives’ first Enmore show since 2011, and their first return to Australia since 2015. The venue was heaving – fans of all ages vying for space to dance, clap and scream from the main room through the inner doors, spilling out into the bar area.
Representing Naarm (Melbourne), Clamm kicked things off LOUD! The trio delivered a raw, pulsing set full of punk muscle and unfiltered banter that veered from the cray to the oddly profound. Their sound is tight, their vibe effortlessly likeable, and with a show at Sydney’s Wayward Brewing coming up in two weeks, you’d be smart to catch them again.
Then came The Hives. Sweden’s most stylish musical export were – quite simply – electrifying. Their signature stagehands, decked out in ominous black ninja suits and balaclavas, set the tone for the band’s theatrical antics. Frontman Pelle Almqvist wasting no time igniting the room with his signature Austin Powers-meets-rock-god swagger, hurling out calls and holding the audience’s attention in the palm of his hand – and boy did they like it!
The Hives use everything to create the perfect atmosphere – from the balloons spelling out their name to the lighting that created miniature theatre moments, uplighting the band like they were lit by torches at a ritual – not a concert. It was immersive and slightly chaotic in the most delightful way.
They played new tracks from their upcoming album The Hives forever forever The Hives including Enough Is Enough, Legalize Living, and the brilliant chaos of Rigamortis Radio. These songs were packed with hooks and attitude, showing they haven’t lost their knack for writing the catchiest anthems in the game.
Almqvist’s crowd work bordered on hypnotic. At one point, he stopped the music entirely and demanded they dance – without music. With a gentle but commanding Swedish lilt, he’d shout sit down, stand up! One arm in the air, both arms in the air! Fans everywhere obliged, naturally. The band ran and leapt across every inch of the stage, barrier, and the photo pit, locking eyes and limbs with the ecstatic crowd. A highlight? No less than ‘Gemma from Manly’ invited onstage to play the iconic bassline to Hate To Say I Told You So – executed with expert “bass womanship”
The verdict? The Hives don’t just play music – they play with their audience. And last night at the Enmore, they proved they’re still one of the best live acts on the planet. The Hives forever forever The Hives!
