The Hives at Pryzm, Kingston

Gig review – the Hives at Pryzm, Kingston (Banquet Records night)< Tuesday 6th June 2023

The Hives have one of the best frontmen in rock’n’roll but in the UK at least seem to spend their lives playing festivals or support to larger bands (it’s a brave band that goes on after them to be fair). So this ‘microscopic gig’ (their words not mine) was a real surprise when it was announced. Along with a couple of other venues including The Fleece in Bristol (even smaller) its amazing to see them in a club sized venue.

All the patter was there – “It’s great to be in Kingston, the birthplace of reggae. I’m pretty sure this is where UB40 invented it’. All the classics were there too – Go Right Ahead, Hate To Say I Told You So and Tick Tick Boom along with a batch of new songs off their forthcoming LP, all of which slotted in seamlessly.the Hives are a good time band and that’s exactly what they provide. If you’ve seen them before you know, and if you haven’t seen them yet you’re in luck – there’s a whole new UK tour coming up.