After being postponed for a week due to bad weather, The Hives made their long awaited return to Dublin on Monday night in the 3 Olympia Theatre, and it was absolutely worth the wait.
From when the guys walked out and stood with their backs to the crowd and the drummer stood up to start the first song (Bogus Operandi), the hurricane that is Howlin Pelle Almqvist exploded onto the stage and lit up the entire building.
The band blasted from song to song while Almqvist moved around the stage (and crowd…and balcony…) in a manner that can only be described as erratically electric, throwing his microphone…and sometimes mic stand, interacting with the crowd and generally getting up to whatever mischief that came to mind in the moment, all while singing the songs with as much energy as you would expect from the now legendary Swedish Garage Rock Revivals live shows.
From the matching glow in the dark suits to the infectious energy and funny comments inbetween songs, not to mention the level of obsessed fans in the audience, this was a very special night to be a part of, and a gig that will take a long time to be topped in the 3 Olympia (or anywhere really) for a long time.
Everyone seemed extra excited before the gig, as The Hives have become world famous for being the best at what they do, and what they do is be The Hives.
Highly recommended and hopefully they don’t leave it as long next time.
The Hives photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Bogus Operandi
Main Offender
Take Back the Toys
Two Kinds of Trouble
Rigor Mortis Radio
Walk Idiot Walk
Good Samaritan
Go Right Ahead
Stick Up
Hate to Say I Told You So
Trapdoor Solution
I’m Alive
Bigger Hole to Fill
Try It Again
Countdown to Shutdown
_______________________________
Come On!
Smoke & Mirrors
Tick Tick Boom
Photos & words – David McEeanery