WORDS DESH KAPUR / IMAGES MICHAEL BOND
On Saturday night, I went to Manchester Academy to see the Swedish indie rock band The Hives, who were performing their ‘Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons’ Tour to celebrate their new album of the same name. The Hives are known for their fantastic live performances, and this show was no exception.
The opening act for the night was Bad Nerves, a 5-piece punk/Powerpop band from East London. They were engaging and enjoyable to watch, with a great mix of attitude and stage presence. Their exciting garage rock sound, reminiscent of the Stooges and MC5, energized the crowd and set the tone perfectly.
The Hives took the stage with Fryderyk Chopin’s Funeral March (3rd Movement) blaring out of the in-house PA, and immediately the crowd bounced. Dressed in their iconic black-and-white lightning-bolt suits, the band launched into the rift-heavy “Bogus Operandi,” the opening track from Fitzimmons album.
The setlist was mainly from the new album, but with a 20-song set list, there was plenty of room for classics like “Hate to Say I Told You So.” The crowd was fully engaged throughout the entire show, with plenty of jumping, fist-pumping, and singing along.
Frontman Pelle Almqvist was at his charismatic best, with Mick Jagger-esque dance moves, swinging mics, high kicks and jumps from the beginning of the set to the end. The Hives put on an electric performance that left the crowd thoroughly entertained and wanting more. Their infectious energy and iconic sound make for an unforgettable live experience.
Setlist
1. Bogus Operandi
2. Main Offender
3. Take Back the Toys
4. Two Kinds of Trouble
5. Rigor Mortis Radio
6. Walk Idiot Walk
7. Good Samaritan
8. Go Right Ahead
9. Stick Up
10. Hate to Say I Told You So
11. Trapdoor Solution
12. I’m Alive
13. Bigger Hole to Fill
14. Die, All Right!
15. Won’t Be Long
16. Try It Again
17. Countdown to Shut Down
Encore
18. Come On!
19. Smoke and Mirrors
20. Tick Tick Boom
FOLLOW THE HIVES
FOLLOW BAD NERVES
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
