Cover Photo: Pelle Almqvist leads The Hives through a raucous headline set at Metros Fremantle, their first WA show since 2015. Photo: Stuart McKay.

The Hives
Metropolis Fremantle, 17 July 2025

They’ve been called the world’s greatest live band. And Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist must surely be Sweden’s finest showman.

The Hives mix self-mythology, comedy and lashings of noughties garage rock revival in such a way that to see them live is an experience unlike any other. Whether it was Almqvist’s larger than life persona, comedic chops, or the unending fun of it all, there was no wiping the grin off our faces all night as we danced maniacally to the raucous riffs.

The opportunity to see these bona fide festival headliners up close and in such intimate surrounds wasn’t lost on the Perth massive, who packed Metros Freo to the rafters and shouted back every word enthusiastically. Still spritely and youthful as ever at 47, Almqvist was clearly as amused and impressed as the rest of the room.

“How do we feel about the show so far?” he asked cheekily, as if he wasn’t gleefully aware of the joy coming from every corner of the room. Leaving nothing on the stage from the opening strains of Bogus Operandi, they wasted no time getting to the classics including Main Offenderand Walk Idiot Walk early. The latter saw one of the stagehands (dressed as ninjas all night), joining the band on tambourine in a quirky highlight.

Noting it was their first WA visit since supporting AC/DC in 2015 (“We may be the furthest band that’s ever played here!” Almqvist mused), they weren’t short on Australian references. Comparing their recent return to productivity to King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard’s prolific run, new single Paint a Picture even sounds like The Saints. An instant garage classic, they prolonged the moment stopping as statues for near two minutes, sending the crowd into a frenzy before kicking out the jams again.

Best of all, unsurprisingly, was the hit that started things in 2000, Hate to Say I Told You So. Already the ultimate Hives song lyrically and riffingly, this take was made extra special by an a cappella audience singalong like no other: we sang the guitar riff, Almqvist belted out the verse over top. It was interactive crowd magic.

From there everything felt like a victory lap. I’m Alive showed off an impressive vocal range; C’mon was winkingly minimalist; Legalise Livingwas played live for the first time ever. “Man you fuckers are privileged!” exclaimed Almqvist with accustomed bravado. “Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

It all left 2007’s explosively popular Tick Tick Boom to close proceedings with crashing white noise and a thunderous singalong, before Carly Simon’s Bond Theme Nobody Does It Better came through the speakers with one more knowing wink and a lol, the five Swedes taking a well-earned bow front of stage. What. A. Show.

In a rocking double bill, early arrivals were also treated to Thornlie heroes The Southern River Band. Making the most of the big crowd and production, much of the focus remains on frontman Cal Kramer but the band held their own with shared vocal duties and lead guitar shreds, highlighted by closer Vice City III. Lifted from last year’s ARIA top 50 record DIY, these guys keep getting better.

If you’re keen to support local music, follow The Southern River Band news on Instagram or visit thesouthernriverband.com.

With their WA leg wrapped, The Hives continue their Australian tour with shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.