Review and Photography by Robert Barrett

Back and more bombastic than ever, The Hives blew Wolverhampton away with a rock and roll show for the ages.

The night began in a loud fashion with punk rockers Bad Nerves. “this one goes out to the guy in the Ramones t-shirt” shouted frontman Bobby Nerves, before ripping into a very Ramones inspired set. the energy matched the ferocious songs with rockstar jumps all over the place.

The ear shattering riff of Bogus Operandi rang out across the room with the fans getting the first sight of The Hives. Frontman Howlin Pete burst onto the stage like a blast of lightning, commanding the rooms attention from the oft.

The energy the band gave put bands 20 years their minor to shame. The Hives dont do slow songs, evey track was full of energy and heart, delivered with an almost mainc glee by the band.

“Do you want us to go back to Birmingham on our next tour? Well i want you to jump!” Pete huourosly ribbed the crowd. But with the mosh pits during tracks such as “Walk Idiot Walk” and “Countdown to Shutdown” there was no doubt they would be back in Wolverhampton.