Swedish garage-rock revivalists the Hives played a not-surprisingly sold-out show at the tiny Studio at Webster Hall in New York City, in advance of the release of their upcoming album, Lex Hives. Full of their usual bluster and bravado and decked out in tails and top hats, the Swedish five-piece tore through some of their greatest hits like “Walk Idiot Walk,” and “Hate to Say I Told You So,” and sprinkled in a handful of new tunes. Though Lex Hivesdoesn’t drop until early June, frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist assured the crowd that they already loved the record.
The Hives certainly lived up to their reputation as a great live band, a fact they continually reminded the audience of. Guitarist Nicholaus Arson admonished the crowd early in the set for not matching the group’s enthusiasm, saying “Never trust a crowd that isn’t sweating,” but also “Never trust a band that isn’t sweating, either.” By the end of the show in the tiny, hot room, both band and crowd were adequately trustworthy.
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