Hugo and The Hive

Emerging from the vibrant regional music scene of Gympie, Queensland Hugo and The Hive are a queer indie-folk/rock quartet whose boundless energy, emotional depth and raw musicality have quickly made them one of South-East Queensland's most exciting young acts. Formed in 2019 while still in junior high school through their schools music program, the band's journey began as a shared creative experiment that has evolved into a dynamic force in the indie landscape.

The group is made up of four best friends whose chemistry and camaraderie fuel both their songwriting and live performance: Liz (bass), Louie (guitar and vocals), Korbin (guitar and saxophone) and Nat (drums). From their earliest rehearsals, the band turned heads with a sound that blurs the edges between indie, rock, pop and folk, combining emotive lyrical storytelling with infectious melodies and vibrant instrumentation.

Hugo and The Hive channels a mature musical vision that belies their age. Their work draws on a wide range of influences, from the swaggering guitar grooves of Greta Van Fleet and the soulful immediacy of Amy Winehouse to the quirky indie sensibilities of Weezer and Spacey Jane, giving their music both a timeless appeal and contemporary bite.

The band’s original tracks, such as “Know Me”, showcase their knack for crafting memorable hooks and emotionally resonant storytelling, with critics noting the blend of pop, indie, and folk flair that makes their music stick. Reviews on platforms like triple j Unearthed have highlighted the band’s impactful songwriting and stirring melodies, with commentators praising the catchiness of their choruses and the emotional depth of their performances.

From local beginnings to larger stages, Hugo and The Hive have built a reputation as a compelling live act with a magnetic stage presence:

Gympie Music Muster — early festival experience that helped establish their live chops.

Gympie Gold Rush Festival (2021) and Easter on Mary (2022) — high-energy festival performances that expanded their regional profile.

Heart Of Gold International Short Film Festival (2022) — featured set praised for its personality and performance strength.

Winner of the Gympie Youth Week Battle of the Bands (2023) under-18 category — a milestone that highlighted their growing appeal.

Nelson Reserve Youth Week Show (2024) — opened for acts TRILLIONS and Wave Raiders on the big stage as part of regional celebrations.

Next Gen Youth Fest at Norton Music Factory (2024) — delivered a standout performance to a sizeable crowd that was recorded and filmed, solidifying their festival credentials.

Brisbane Debut Headline Shows — including their first headline at The Junk Bar and multiple performances at The Cave Inn throughout 2024, where they built a loyal following in South-East Queensland.

Featured support and lineup slots at venues like Horizon Festival opening for Full Flower Moon Band at Solbar on the Sunshine Coast, including return invitations and all-ages headline shows, spotlighting them among a new generation of grassroots talent.
In early 2025, Hugo and The Hive also appeared alongside fellow Queensland acts such as Love Thrills and DAMIEN at celebrated venues including The Cave Inn and The Presynct, where their infectious live energy and authentic voice resonated with diverse audiences.

What people are saying about them:
For their debut demo release, KNOW ME was entered in TRIPLE J’s Unearthed High 2022, and Dave Ruby Howe from TRIPLE J said “That vocal...it sticks out nicely. Still early days but there's something exciting about the raw potential here”

Heart Of Gold International Film Festival said “What an incredible set! Such a tight act with some really accomplished technical skill brilliantly coloured with great musical personality. Can't wait to see them again soon. Thanks for playing”

Ant Mckenna from QMusic said "Hugo and the Hive are the most exciting young act to come out of the Gympie region ever! Their musical sensibilities, style, performance, songwriting abilities, cool attitude and approach as mates makes them an act that you really need to see live. Together they write great, quirky, cool songs that you will love!"

Our lovely friend and fellow musician Ella Joy said "With their unique, acoustic-driven arrangements, Hugo and the Hive have something different, something raw and exciting that should not be overlooked. The group of young musicians have a cool indie rock sound, and a fun energy on stage that engages their audiences. Their single "Know Me" is a perfect example of their ability to experiment and bring something new to the table. I'm super excited to see where these guys go!"

Paige Rothera from Solbar said "Hugo and the Hive are an absolute delight to work with. They are punctual and professional, making them very easy to mix sound for. They are always a pleasure to work with and are a captivating band to watch. Brilliant music and a brilliant group of people."

Who are we?
The story of Hugo and The Hive is a bit of a cliche, but it is our favorite story to tell. We all met in high school, Liz and Nat have been friends since they were 11-12 years old! But everything came together with the Gympie Music School Of Excellence program, where we were thrown into a band and quickly fell in love with it! To this day, we are all best friends, and when we say best friends, we mean it. You don’t need any other friends when you have these guys!

UPCOMING GIGS
DATE TBA - Solbar Headline Show

PS - We're all pretty busy figuring out how to adult, so follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/hugoandthehive or Facebook - https://instagram.com/hugoandthehive so you can see where we are performing next!
If you're in the mood for some giggles, why not check out our tiktok as well - @hugoandthehive.
Thanks for visiting, and supporting emerging original live music here in Australia.
H.A.T.H xo

Booking agent
Name: David Dean from Hostile Entertainment
Email: david@hostileentertainment.com
Phone: 0418 466 623

KNOW ME Hugo and the Hive

Dave Ruby Howe
That vocal...it sticks out nicely. Still early days but there's something exciting about the raw potential here.

TRIPLE J UNEARTHED High 2022