The Hives World Tour 2025, O2 Academy, Glasgow. Wednesday 26th November, 2025

This event was supposed to take place at the Hydro, but poor ticket sales put the kibosh on that, so the show was transferred to the O2 Academy instead (they also added a second show at St Luke's the previous night). Our new seating location was in the back row of the front balcony, on the aisle. There were still a few empty seats, but not that many (possibly some had been reserved for guests). 

I was not expecting the first act, unaware that there were two support bands. Spiritual Cramp were LOUD, playing what I'd describe as American punk, and quickly reminded me to insert my protective earplugs. Their sound reminded me of The Hives, so they were a good complement to the main act.

Yard Act were 'different'. Their frontman had the bravado of Jarvis Cocker and the lyrical speed of a rapper, reminding me of Seb Lowe in that respect, though the band sounded more like early Arctic Monkeys (as Des pointed out). I couldn't make out much of their song lyrics, but they had the confidence to own the stage in front of a Hives crowd. Not my thing, though.

The Hives were immense. With a set backdrop adorned with five giant spheres, spelling H-I-V-E-S (the drum kit adding in the T-H-E), the stage resembled a 60s American music show, with raised cylindrical levels for the drums and bass. Dressed in their usual costumes, braiding illuminated, they blasted through their setlist, with the usual pauses for the singer to whip up the crowd with his unique style of banter. I wasn't feeling great, medicated, but still suffering from the early symptoms of a cold, and even I found myself rocking back and forward in my seat. The energy in the room was terrific, with so many kids downstairs bouncing and moshing (my time doing that is long gone). 

Fortunately, punters standing on the balcony level were rare, so my view was consistently good, though the dome of a bald man in front of me does crop up in my photos. During the second number, a bloke the width of an American fridge-freezer got up to dance, but he only lasted one song, as the girl behind him gave him both barrels about how selfish he was. I did notice lots of people heading to the bar/toilet during the show, not just from our row, and there was a large exodus home before the encore. Trains and buses to catch, no doubt. The band played on till exactly 11 pm.

Another triumph for The Hives. 

Setlist
Enough is Enough
Walk Idiot Walk
Rigor Mortis Radio
Paint a Picture
Main Offender
Born a Rebel
Stick Up
Bogus Operandi
Hate to Say I Told You So
O.C.D.O.D.
I'm Alive
Here We Go Again
Countdown to Shutdown
Come On!
Tick Tick Boom (With band introductions and Pelle in the crowd)

Encore:
Legalize Living
Bigger Hole to Fill
The Hives Forever Forever The Hives

Ticket Price: £54 (via Bob)

Videos

Enough is Enough

Hate to Say I Told You So

Photos

Upstairs merch table

Spiritual Cramp

Yard Act

Fancy lighting

The Hives