Quite a few eyebrows were raised when The Hives announced they would be opening for Maroon 5's arena tour, and with good reason. Most of the teenagers and soccer moms in the Verizon Center last night weren't sure what to make of the Swedish quintet when they hit the stage just after 8 p.m. This was not lost on frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist.

"Think of this as a first date," he told the crowd. "I doubt there will be a second."

Oh but there will. At least for those lucky enough to be holding tickets for tonight's sold out show at the Black Cat. Should be a blast.

Photos by Kyle Gustafson.