The Hives at Full Velocity

The Hives hit the stage like a controlled explosion, unleashing a relentless barrage of riffs and rhythm that validated their legendary status—half jest, fully undeniable—as one of rock’s greatest live bands. Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist led with manic precision, commanding every inch of the room with swagger and razor-sharp bravado.

Behind him, Nicholaus Arson, Vigilante Carlstroem, The Johan and Only, and Chris Dangerous moved with decades-deep cohesion, blending punk immediacy with arena-scale punch. New tracks from The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives landed like instant classics, living up to the band’s ethos of all killer, no filler.

After more than 30 years, The Hives remain singular in their mission: distill rock to its most explosive core and deliver it at full throttle. The show was proof they’re far from nostalgia—they’re still in their prime.

Photos and review by Steve Sym from The Hives performance at The Salt Shed in Chicago on March 26 2026