Swedish punk'n'roll veterans The Hives transformed Cardiff's Depot into a cauldron of raw, high-voltage energy, demonstrating precisely why they remain a formidable live act a quarter-century after their first UK tour.
A Lightning-Fuelled Spectacle
Frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist wasn't joking when he declared, "I'm powering clothes, that's how electric I am." Clad in a suit trimmed with glowing LEDs, he embodied the band's megawatt performance, even climbing into the audience as the exhilarating Tick Tick Boom crashed through the venue. The entire band matched his energy, appearing in matching light-up attire with the word "Hives" spelled out in illuminated baubles behind them.
This show arrived at a pivotal moment for the group, reinvigorated after breaking a decade-plus recording hiatus with two well-received albums in the last three years. They've been playing some of the biggest shows of their career, including stadium slots with Arctic Monkeys and an upcoming night at London's Alexandra Palace.
New Material Meets Classic Fury
The setlist was a powerful statement of intent, featuring ten tracks from their recent albums. The revelation of the night was how powerfully the new material translated live. Far from settling into nostalgic comfort, the band was visibly hungry to prove themselves all over again.
Paint a Picture's fizzing powerpop became a snarling reminder of their roots in sardonic punk, easily matching the unruly energy of Here We Go Again from their debut album. They launched into the performance with Enough is Enough, Pelle windmilling his microphone while guitarist Nicholaus Arson attacked his instrument with characteristic ferocity.
Spiritual Cramp Set the Stage
The Hives weren't the only sharply attired garage-rock act to deliver a killer set. Openers Spiritual Cramp, fronted by the punchy vocalist Michael Bingham, brought their own brand of sneering harmonies, slashing riffs, and sardonic wit to the stage. While their style leaned more towards Stone Island than Savile Row, their irresistible energy provided the perfect warm-up.
The headliners met this challenge head-on, emerging from the musical fray bloodied but unbowed. As Pelle Almqvist yelled to the crowd at one pivotal moment, "You have no choice but to give it up for the Hives" – a statement that felt less like a boast and more like a simple, undeniable fact.
The Hives continue their UK tour, playing the O2 Academy in Glasgow on 26 November, with further dates running until 29 November.
