Kevin Bronson on April 16th, 2012

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Who: The Hives on the Main Stage
In 3 or Fewer Words: A near escape.
Memorable Because: We were the first live audience to hear the new song “Wait A Minute,” and it was the freshest-sounding song of the set. Watching the Hives dominate a crowd in the late afternoon was a bit like walking Las Vegas in daylight: The storied showmanship and costumed attire didn’t have quite the glitz you expect from a band that has nameplates on its amps. But no one told frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, who spent more time twisting the arms of a stubborn crowd to respond to his taunting than he spent dropping garage-rock bombs. Even the obvious crowd-pleaser “Hate To Say I Told You So” seemed to earn only polite enthusiasm from anyone who wasn’t a die-hard fan. (You could pick those out easily.) Then, something happened. It’s the dumbest rock ’n’ roll gimmick in the book, and it worked. Almqvist got the entire main stage crowd to sit on the ground and launch skyward at the climax of their set. The field exploded and everyone danced. Howlin’ Pelle to save the day again. Nulla Salus Sine The Hives!
What I’d Tell My Friends Who Were at the Do Lab: Friends don’t let friends go to the Do Lab.
– Ben “Mouse” McShane (Photos by Bronson)