The Hives were in the US back in May to preview songs from their first new album in a decade with NYC/LA shows, and now that The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons is out, the Swedes are taking North America by storm all over again with their high-octane, bravado-fueled brand of garage rock.
Their tour, which is with opener Olivia Jean of The Black Belles, (high) kicked off in the Big Apple on Monday at Brooklyn Steel, and their set was nearly identical to the one they played at the much smaller Racket back in May, but with a couple extra songs at the end. They opened with new song “Bogus Operandi,” and then hit the crowd with ’00s-era classics “Main Offender” and “Walk, Idiot, Walk.” Half the fun is watching their onstage antics, including ninja-outfitted roadies, well-rehearsed rock moves, and the high-flying kicks and hilarious stage banter from Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist.
Monday night was Devil’s Night (Halloween Eve) and the band threw a Hives-O-Ween costume contest, asking folks to dress up as their favorite dead rock stars. Lots of people did and there were also lots of Hives-inspired outfits, including two people dressed as Wayne & Garth as Hives roadies. (Hives-O-Ween also happens in DC tonight, and on social media.) It was also guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem’s birthday, and Pelle led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to him before “Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones.” The show ended the one-two punch encore of “Come On!” and “Tick Tick Boom.”
Photos from the night by Emilio Herce are in this post. You can also check out The Hives’ Brooklyn Steel setlist and video from the show, below.
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SETLIST: The Hives @ Brooklyn Steel 10/30/2023
Bogus Operandi
Main Offender
Walk Idiot Walk
Rigor Mortis Radio
Good Samaritan
Go Right Ahead
Stick Up
Hate to Say I Told You So
Trapdoor Solution
I’m Alive
Smoke & Mirrors
Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones
Countdown to Shutdown
Encore:
Come On!
Tick Tick Boom
The Hives – 2023/2024 Tour Dates
Oct 31 – WASHINGTON, DC @ Union Stage SOLD OUT
Nov 1 – CAMBRIDGE, MA @ The Sinclair SOLD OUT
Nov 3 – TORONTO, ON @ Lee’s Palace SOLD OUT
Nov 4 – DETROIT, MI @ El Club SOLD OUT
Nov 5 – CHICAGO, IL @ Bottom Lounge SOLD OUT
Nov 8 – SEATTLE, WA @ Neumos SOLD OUT
Nov 9 – VANCOUVER, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre SOLD OUT
Nov 10 – PORTLAND, OR @ Mississippi Studios SOLD OUT
Nov 12 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club SOLD OUT
Nov 13 – SOLANA BEACH, CA @ Belly Up SOLD OUT
Nov 14 – LOS ANGELES, CA @ Belasco Theater SOLD OUT
Nov 15 – LOS ANGELES, CA @ BELASCO THEATER SOLD OUT
Nov 17 – MEXICO CITY, MX @ Corona Capital
Nov 27 – SANTIAGO, CL @ Teatro Caupolicán
Nov 29 – BUENOS AIRES, AR @ Teatro Vorterix
Dec 2 – SÃO PAULO, BR @ Primavera Sound
Dec 4 – QUITO, EC @ Soundgarden
Dec 7 – CARACAS, VE @ Concha Acústica de Bello Monte
Dec 9 – BOGOTÁ, CO @ Primavera Sound
July 19 – NEW YORK, NY @ Citi Field*
July 21 – BOSTON, MA @ Fenway Park*
July 23 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium*
Aug 7 – San Diego, CA @ Petco Park*
Aug 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium*,