The Hives & Fidlar @ Cosmopolitan Pool

I’VE JUST SEEN THE GREATEST CURRENT LIVE BAND BAR NONE!!! AGAIN! 

The Hives deserve all the plaudits they get for their high energy shows. This is only my 2nd Hives show but just amazing. 

Coming out on stage one by one in tuxedos and top hats, a smallish crowd at the still-filled Cosmo Pool gave the heir of respect was demanded from Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist. The feisty opener, Come On! set the tone for the evening. Things were going to be fast and energetic. Between song banter from the beginning was hilarious (This is the best pool party with a view of the Eiffel Tower we’ve ever played!), with Almqvist making sure what the audience needed to do to fire up the band (When I say something the only 2 responses you should have is YEAH! or THE HIVES!). Walk Idiot Walk was great and Main Offender put the crowd into overdrive. It was from then on that the crowd seemed like they were having a blast. Die Alright and Wait A Minute were fun and it seemed like everyone exploded for Hate To Say I Told you So. Go Right Ahead & Try It Again finished the set and left the crowd dying for more. It wasn’t long before we were graced with the Hives presence again. They launched into a 3 song encore which saw people going nuts in the pool – if you were anywhere near the stage (like me) you did not walk out of that show less than soaking wet. After a grand finale Tick Tick Boom the whole band joined the crowd in the pool – tuxedos and all. And much to the joy, hung around to let people take pictures with them. 

All in all, a highly energetic and wild show. The likes of which has only be equaled by The Stooges at Vegoose in 2007,Cage The Elephant at Wasted Space in 2010 and The Hives last visit to Vegas in 2005. I wish I could see the Hives every week. 

In contrast, openers Fidlar, were a good rockin’ band but just didn’t have the same connection with the audience. If you keep talking about drugs - wanting, but not getting, a big response – try something else. It gets dull after 3 attempts.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 340th concert.

This is my 6th concert at Cosmopolitan Pool.

This is my 136th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 136th concert in Nevada.

This is my 148th concert in the USA.

Fidlar are the 405th band I've seen.

This is my 2nd Hives concert.

Jane's Addiction @ Cosmopolitan Pool

Another nice night out by the pool – this time for Jane’s Addiction. 

Erik & I arrived at 10pm and the place was packed (more than I’d ever seen at Cosmo’s pool). We got a spot on the right a small ways back from the stage – but we can see fine. Just as we settle in the band saunter on stage. This is a band that I picture being wild in their heyday, but 20 plus years has wearied them and it is a different type of performance now – one where you have to love the music. 

Jane’s played a good mix of songs from all albums but it is the stuff from Jane’s and ritual that I want to hear. Mountain Song was great and Been Caught Stealing early on got the crowd in a good mood. Surprisingly we got Jane Says in the middle of the set, followed by a percussion fueled Chip Away. This kinda slowed the show’s momentum and a bit of a buzzkill. Three Days kicked it up a little but it was my favorite, Stop!, that was the highlight of the night. Summertime Rolls ended the set, disappointingly after only about 80 minutes. What’s that all about? How can Jane’s only have 80 minutes of music to play – and no encore. Another good show, but far too short.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 339th concert.

This is my 5th concert at Cosmopolitan Pool.

This is my 135th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 135th concert in Nevada.

This is my 147th concert in the USA.

This is my 3rd Jane's Addiction concert.
Jane's Addiction are the 250th time I've seen a band in the USA.