the hives return to sheffield’s leadmill after 22 years for last minute
sell-out show.

★★★★★ (5/5)

THE HIVES PERFORMING AT SHEFFIELD’S LEADMILL
PHOTOCREDIT: TREV EALES

The Hives: Self proclaimed greatest rock n' roll band in the world. It's a claim made somewhat tongue in cheek but anyone who's seen them knows they're up there with the best. The Hives always deliver but tonight is something special. Their gig in Dublin's been called off, planes and Irish Sea ferries cancelled due to storms. So what do they do? Set up an intimate gig in Sheffield's iconic Leadmill at 48 hours notice that sells out in minutes. It's an opportunity not to be missed and they don't disappoint.

First tonight though we've got London based garage punk band Bad Nerves. They're new to me. Melodic guitar driven songs, stripped to their essence in tracks that alternate between 1000 mph and 100 mph. Their sound suggests time spent listening to the Ramones. They're brimming with energy, throwing rock n' roll shapes with shade clad vocalist Bobby Nerves the epitome of cool. Live, they're the perfect support for The Hives. If you get the chance, check them out, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Dimly lit silhouettes filter onto the stage to the mournful sounds of Chopin's Funeral March. Drums pick up the beat with guitars adding to the sombre tone. It doesn't last. As the first rock n' rock riff hits, pace accelerates, lights come up and there's Howlin Pelle Almqvist milking the applause. Bogus Operandi is classic Hives; stop, start, raw rock riffs, an irresistible chorus, with pace that builds and builds. It's the first of several impressive tracks from new album The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons.

Main Offender kicks in next with it's unmistakable riff; the band incredibly tight and throwing rock poses as Pelle prowls the stage, pit, barrier and any vantage point he can reach. The passing years haven't slowed him down. If he isn't singing he's urging the crowd to sing, clap, raise their arms – whatever it takes to keep the party moving. In truth, we don't take much persuading!

More new tracks follow. Two Kinds Of Trouble is just infectious, made for dancing, while Rigor Mortis Radio's call and response between singer and band is perfect for audience participation.

Pelle pauses to take breath, telling us, “We've been here before: 2002.” There are a few of us at the back old enough to have seen them then. Most though are far too young, at primary school or younger when The Hives last graced The Leadmill. The crowd's age shows too, in their seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm.

Up next, Walk Idiot Walk with it's classic riff sees hands aloft and mass clapping. There's a girl at the front with a placard declaring, “It's my Birthday.” It's too god an opportunity to miss so of course we're soon all singing, “Happy Birthday to the girl at the front.”

Surprisingly we discover that even in The Hives you can't always get what you want. Another new track, Stick Up, wouldn't be out of place circa London Calling era Clash. Pelle wants us to sing; the results are feeble. We're mildly admonished so what's the crowd's response? Chants of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire” spring up spontaneously. Perplexed but ever the showman, Pelle knows how to milk a crowd. Turning choirmaster, he leads 700 booming voices as the chant grows louder and louder. Only in Yorkshire!!! . . . and the show rolls on.

“What's the greatest classic rock song you've ever heard? No dear, that's a band.” Pelle smiles knowingly at the young fan. There are a couple more suggestions before we get our answer. “It's this: The unmistakable riff of Hate To Say I Told You So assaults our ears as we get a monumental version of their classic. The mid track bass break ushers in mass adulation as the song seems to take on a life of its own.

I'm Alive is darker, heavier, slower in pace but somehow more melodic. It's menacing undercurrent offset by hundreds of swaying arms. They close with Countdown To Shutdown, driven by driving bass. It's a brave move, another track from their current album, but a worthy closer and likely to become a staple of future live sets.

Returning to encore with Come On raises energy levels further. Like a juggernaut propelled with a bassline indebted to Black Sabbath's Paranoid, it's the ultimate invitation to party. Smoke & Mirrors, another new song, takes us back to Clash territory again before they inevitably close with Tick Tick Boom. Pelle's been all over the stage and pit tonight. It's fitting that he's now in the audience celebrating and whipping up even more mayhem.

Nobody wants it to end but inevitably it has to. Have The Hives been good tonight? Of course they have. Just how good? The band eventually leave to the sounds of Carl Simon's Nobody Does It Better ringing through the PA. Lets leave it to the song's opening lyrics to sum up just how good.

Nobody does it better.

Nobody does it half as good as you.

Baby you're the best.