Photos and Review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography

In a relentless burst of energy and positivity, The Hives set Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco on fire on November 12, 2023. The Swedish quintet, led by charismatic frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist and touring for the album The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons (released 8/23), delivered a concert that was not just a performance but an explosive celebration of live rock and roll.

From the moment Almqvist took the stage, it was clear The Hives were on a mission to get the crowd active and involved in their fun, and the fans were there for it. Explosive and brimming with physicality, Almqvist owned every inch of the stage. Climbing, leaping, all the while maintaining an impressive connection with the crowd, he was everywhere, and his infectious charisma set the tone for a really special night.

Lead guitarist Nicholaus Arson matched his brother Pelle’s explosive energy with a wild, wide-eyed, penetrating gaze over his fans, charming the whole audience with his fun and intense personality. Drummer Chris Dangerous was a beast of rhythm, holding everything together on his kit and getting sweaty in the back of the small club. Bassist The Johan and Only killed it, sometimes playing repetitive lines that went for minutes while Pelle talked to the crowd, with proof of his 10,000 hours being the paint scraped off of his beautiful beat up bass from years of use. Guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem added texture to the band’s rich rock sound and stood stoic like a beautiful Swedish viking, except for the many times he howled into the mic alongside his bandmates. Guitarist Nicholaus crowd-surfed with his guitar, and also leaned out into the crowd to let front row fans rub his head, and late in the show Pelle created a channel through the middle of the crowd and then walked through it to the back of the room and hung out with fans there for a few minutes before jetting back to the front. And it was definitely an evening of bodily fluids, with lots of nose blowing and spitting from the band, plus a swimming pool’s-worth of sweat from the crowd.

The setlist showcased The Hives’ mastery at what they do, featuring hits like “Main Offender,” “Walk Idiot Walk,” and “Hate to Say I Told You So.” The entire performance was a relentless barrage of bangers, leaving no dull moments. The encore finished with “Tick Tick Boom,” a super explosive climax that left everyone smiling like Cheshire cats.

Choosing smaller, intimate venues for this tour was a great move by The Hives, and Bimbo’s 365 Club was the perfect San Francisco choice. The sold-out crowd sang, danced, and thrusted fists, and it was electric. The Hives did right by the fans by playing a set of both old and new favorites that felt perfectly curated.

As The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons US tour continues, don’t miss the chance to witness The Hives in all their glory. Their unmatched energy and commitment to great live rock make this tour a must-see for fans old and new. www.thehives.com