Fresh off a hit of Franz Ferdinand,
next on the calendar were the gods of Sweden: The Hives. And I don’t
really know how to write a review for this one. I mean this gig was
just so mind-blowingly good that words can’t really describe it. But
let’s give it a shot.
Fresh off a 2 month hiatus of touring
(which prior to that had been non-stop for almost a year), Howlin’ Pelle
Almqvist and the rest of the band were ready and energised to give it
their all to an absolutely adoring Sydney crowd. From the minute they
stepped on stage, Pelle had us under his spell. Personally, I’m pretty
sure I’m now deeply in love with him.
“MISS SYDNEY!” *INSERT SCREAMS*
“MRS SYDNEY!” *INSERT SCREAMS* “MISTER SYDNEY!”
*INSERT DEEPER SCREAMS*
We jumped, we screamed, we laughed-
we listened to every word. He was our master, our preacher, and even
had us raise our left hands pledging our allegiance to the band. And
no other. For, let’s face it, there is no person that loves The Hives
more than The Hives themselves.
The setlist can only be described in
one word: FUN. They played songs off all their albums, devoting about
50% of the set to “The Black and White Album”. Also, following
on from their covers show the night before, they played “Hollywood
Babylon” by The Melvins and “Gotta Get Some Action Now”
by The Helicopters as part of the encore. Man, they can make any song
sound amazing. And those who doubted their brilliance following “The
Black and White Album” were surely silenced. Every song on that album,
every single one, translated brilliantly live.
And while “Tick Tick Boom”
was definitely an early highlight of the night, nothing got the crowd
moving more than “Hate to Say I Told You So”, the entire theatre
becoming a dance hall. The humidity which had crept in from outside
was ignored by all, as we jumped around in such a spontaneous fashion
that by the time it was all said and done, we were dripping in sweat
and couldn’t have cared any less.
And just to show you that I’m not actually
hypnotised by Pelle (despite my recent admittance of deep love) I do
admit to detractors that they aren’t the most amazing musicians in the
world, and they certainly love a bit of repetitive action. But there
are simply no better showmen in music today (just TRY to do that up
down thing with the guitar while you play it! See? Not easy being a
showman is it!?).
And let’s face it, the fact they have
damn catchy, damn fun music, definitely helps.
This was the gospel of the Hives. And
it was good.
In fact, it was hands down the most entertaining gig I have ever been
to.
