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Apr 01, 2026 By Joshua Mellin Photography by Joshua Mellin Web Exclusive

According to frontman Pelle Almqvist, or Howlin Pelle Almqvist as he is righteously known, the cavernous Chicago Salt Shed was “the sold out-est it has ever been!” The former Morton Salt factory turned large scale venue was packed to the gills. As Pelle put it, “Attendance was in millions! 0.035 millions to be exact.” While 0.035 million fans translates closer to a few thousand, the packed house proved that nostalgia for these 00s heroes is alive and well.

They are undisputed 00s rock royalty, but not content to rest on their laurels, in fact intent on hurling themselves in every direction. They proved this with a high octane rock show that felt completely spontaneous. At one point, someone in the crowd yelled out a colorful expletive aimed at Finland, the band’s Nordic neighbors. Pelle fired right back without missing a beat, confirming what he’d heard, “Fuck Finland? Happiest people in the world? Something must be wrong with them!” That kind of unpredictable banter is exactly what makes every single Hives show feel unique. It brings a chaotic, anything can happen energy that is sorely lacking from some of their contemporaries. While other bands from their era might have hit higher commercial peaks back in the day, The Hives continue to reach new heights on the strength of their live experience. They have a staying power that you just cannot fake.

This raw energy brings to mind their old campaign to parcel out the rock show into local franchises, asking fans to upload cover videos to form local versions of the band. It is a brilliantly absurd comedic concept, and I have to wonder whatever happened to it. I doubt anyone could truly match their sheer intensity, but the comedy alone would be incredible to witness. If the idea ever spawned a Finnish version of The Hives, it would be spectacular to see the Swedish originals take on their Warioesque Nordic doubles in a massive battle of the bands.

Instead, the real band was simply on fire tonight. They used the Chicago crowd to warm up for a raucous upcoming schedule of international festival gigs. Their relentless touring slate includes major stops at Festival City in Mexico, Rock am Ring in Germany, Hellfest in France, and Pukkelpop in Belgium. They are out in full force supporting their new album, Forever The Hives, and the fresh material blends perfectly with their legendary classics.

They ended the main set out in the middle of the euphoric crowd to “Tick Tick Boom”, complete with a special happy birthday aside to a fan named Ashley. The crowd was left wanting more, a constant reality for anyone who has spent years seeing them perform, because they never deliver a bad show. The band obliged with a ferocious encore consisting of “Legalize Living”, “Bigger Hole to Fill”, and appropriately, “The Hives Forever Forever The Hives.” You always leave wanting to see them the very next time they come through town, and this monumental night at the Salt Shed was no exception.