Music, News

The Hives @ Manchester Academy gallery – Scandinavian indie-rock heavyweights bring dapper style and high energy

0 187

Featured image and gallery: Ben Redshaw


The Hives perform to a sold-out crowd at Manchester Academy, as part of their current tour ‘The Death of Randy Fitzimmons’ following their 2023 album of the same name. Since their debut album Barely Legal in 1997, the Scandinavian garage rock band have released five albums.

According to band members, their songs are written by an honorary (potentially fictional) “sixth Hive” Randy Fitzsimmons (rumoured to be a pseudonym of Nicholaus Almqvist, the band’s guitarist, though he emphatically denies this).

The group are known for their energetic live performances and tonight is no different. Fronted by vocalist Pelle Almqvist, they spend the night dancing and singing along with their devoted fans.

There is a super fan in the crowd who has been to “[four] Hives shows in ten days”. She, and her sign, secure a place right at the front for the optimal viewing to rock out all night long.

When it comes to sheer energy, Almqvist is unmatched. Swinging the microphone, jumping into the crowd and climbing on the speakers is only some of what he gets up to in Manchester, giving everything he has for fans at the Academy.

The Hives are met with cheers and applause from the moment they step onto the stage, from show opener ‘Bogus Operandi’, to show midpoint ‘Hate to Say I Told You So’ and all the way through until their encore, closing the evening with ‘Tick Tick Boom.’

About the author / 

Ben Redshaw

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Spotify Wrapped – aAh! Magazine’s top albums of 2025

    By Adam Taylor It’s time to post your top artists to show how cool and different you are. Spotify Wrapped for 2025 has finally dropped. This stat-loaded list of listening habits gets everyone excited, revealing top artists, songs, podcasts, music genres, and hours listened – which can be a bit concerning… Spotify adds new features…

  • Call for online submissions: Creative Writing and Featured Artwork – Hometown

    Featured image: Suzy Hazelwood aAh! Magazine’s Literature and Creative Student Editors are delighted to announce our first online call for submissions for the 2025/26 academic year. This series invites creative writing students and visual artists to respond to the theme ‘Hometown’, offering the opportunity to showcase their work online. Manchester is a hometown for thousands, and simply…

  • What’s On: Things to do in Manchester this December

    Featured image: Manchester City CouncilBy Adam Taylor and Amy Corringham Winter is approaching, but don’t let the cold and dark days stop you getting out and about – aAh! has gathered a selection of events for all budgets for you and your friends to enjoy. Get into the festival spirit with a variety of activities…