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

The Hives, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons Tour 2024. Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow. Monday 1st April, 2024

I was offered a ticket to this sold-out gig after two friends mixed up who was buying, resulting in a spare. I had heard of the band but was not familiar with their work, but my friend promised me they were amazing live. With no work the next day, why not? 

Prior to the gig, a few of us went for dinner at Bar SOBA, an Asian fusion street food restaurant in the Merchant City area of Glasgow, a short walk from the Barrowland. I had Yakisoba as my main and Mochi Balls for dessert. The latter seemed aptly named, as they had the texture of ice cream stuffed into a bull's testicle, albeit a mock one. I'm not sure I'd order it again.

The rain drizzled as we headed to the venue, now joined by Doug, the fourth member of tonight's troupe. After a brief security frisk, we headed inside, checked out the merchandise, and then went upstairs to the dancefloor, only to find all the rear barrier spaces taken. We stood near the fire doors at the back.

Support act Bad Nerves plays what they describe as fast music, reminiscent of The Ramones. It wasn't unpleasant or overly engaging, but the audience at the front went mad for them, jumping about and pumping their fists in the air. It wasn't really my thing.

As their set finished, so did my painkillers. My back twinges started up, and I began to wonder if I was going to survive the night standing. I knew Bob had accessibility access seats available to him and wondered if that might be the less painful option for me. Doug noticed me eyeing the seats and suggested we both make use of them (he'd had back problems, too, after a rugby injury). The security person guarding access to this section took some persuading to let us in, as Bob's Ticketmaster tickets didn't specifically mention 'accessibility', but he pointed out the pricing indicated he had access. She eventually relented and opened the barrier to let the two of us in. By this point, I didn't need to act about how much pain I was in as I climbed the steps, grasping the handrail like it was a crutch.

The Accessibility platform is probably not the best location to experience The Hives, but I have to say, situated above head height, the view was excellent. The seating is quite cramped, but at least no one expects you to stand when they want past to go to the bar or toilets.  

If I thought the crowd was mad for Bad Nerves, it went up to the max when The Hives took the stage. Their frontman, Howlin’ Pelle, was in total control, whether it be making the crowd put their hands in the air, clap their hands or swing their arms from side to side. He was all over the stage, from side to side, flicking his microphone cord so it didn't get tangled, jumping on and off the risers and down to the audience, leaning over to slap their hands, nearly falling in a couple of times. His banter has the force of a Swedish Hitler (only with more humour and less intention to invade Poland), berating the audience for not being loud enough on his command. Even when he loses his train of thought, he delivers it with such power you can't help but love him for it. I didn't like the way he kept spitting on the stage, though, but maybe that's what they do in Sweden, like a dog leaving his scent.

While Pelle is the definite centre of attention, he is only one part of the band. Each member stands out musically and individually despite being costumed similarly. Their music is powerful and driven, the drums, bass, and guitars coordinating to increase our heart rate, and I would have loved to bounce about in that crowd. At the end, the band took their bows to the Carly Simon track "Nobody Does It Better." On tonight's evidence, I'd have to agree. 

Ticket Price: £38.50.

Video Link Bogus Operandi

Video Link: Hate to Say I Told You So

Video Link: Tick Tick Boom 

Setlist

Bogus Operandi

Main Offender

Take Back the Toys

Two Kinds of Trouble

Rigor Mortis Radio

Walk Idiot Walk

Good Samaritan

Go Right Ahead

Stick Up

Hate to Say I Told You So

Trapdoor Solution 

I'm Alive

Bigger Hole to Fill

Die, All Right!

Won't Be Long

Try It Again

Countdown to Shutdown

Encore:

Come On!

Smoke & Mirrors

Tick Tick Boom 

Outro music

Nobody Does It Better (Carly Simon)

One of the Ninja Roadies on percussion