• AOL
  • MAIL
    • You might also like: 
    • Music | 
    • Movies | 
    • TV | 
    • Celebrity News
    •  and More
    Sign In / Register
Spinner
  • Main
  • Spinner RPM
  • Features
    • The Hit List
    • Spinner Interview
    • Tributes & Essays
    • Music Appreciation
  • Songs
    • Free MP3 of the Day
    • Play Full Albums Free
  • Videos
    • The Interface
    • Sessions
    • Video of the Day
    • All Videos
  • Radio
    • AOL Radio
    • AOL Radio Toolbar
    • Shoutcast
  • AOL Music Sites
    • The Boot
    • The BoomBox
    • Noisecreep
    • AOL Music Blog
  • SXSW
  • Send Feedback
  • Katherine McPhee

    Watch Katharine McPhee Sessions
  • Sugarland

    Watch Sugarland's Sexy Duet With Matt Nathanson
  • Beyonce

    Get Beyonce News
  • Katy Perry

    Read Latest on Katy Perry
  • Ringo Starr

    Read Ringo Starr Interview
  • Jill Janus of Huntress

    Huntress Reveal Debut Album Art
  • Kellie Pickler

    Read Kellie Pickler Interview
  • Chris Brown

    Chris Brown 'Wins' Unwelcome Award

Spinner Exclusives

  • The Interface - Live Performances
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free
  • Spinner Radio
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free

Features

  • Best Songs 2011
  • Top Albums of 2011
  • Sad Songs
  • Music Geeks in Film
  • Best Opening Lyrics

All Categories

  • Monthly Mixtape(1)
  • A Day in the Life(5)
  • All About Jazz(96)
  • Awards(233)
  • Free MP3 Download of the Day(1674)
  • Around the World(205)
  • Between the Notes(36)
  • Book Club(94)
  • Celebrity Doppelganger(18)
  • Clash of the Cover Songs(49)
  • Coming Out Stories(23)
  • Concerts and Tours(6846)
  • Count Five(83)
  • Exclusive(5981)
  • Guest Blogger(133)
  • Holy Hell(1016)
  • I Fought the Law(111)
  • I Freakin' Love This Song(252)
  • In House(12)
  • Listen Up!(18)
  • Movies(424)
  • Music Appreciation(123)
  • New Music(862)
  • New Releases(615)
  • News(12277)
  • PhotoSynthesis(88)
  • Picture Book(31)
  • Politics as Usual(61)
  • Pop Culture(93)
  • Potent Quotables(776)
  • Q + A(494)
  • Quizzes & Trivia(6)
  • R.I.P.(454)
  • Road Report(61)
  • Rock Almanac(366)
  • Rock Hall(44)
  • RPM(263)
  • Spinner Says(16)
  • Spinner Interview(212)
  • Television(245)
  • The Chum Bucket(777)
  • The Hit List(1388)
  • Twisted Tales(194)
  • Video(1785)
  • Video of the Day(1226)
  • What's That Song?(134)

Courtney Love Bounces Back With First Hole Show in Over a Decade

  • Posted on Feb 18th 2010 6:08AM by Jody Thompson
  • Comments
Email This
After years of half-arsed promises, motherly tweets about hook-ups with uber-pop songwriter Linda Perry and tabloid pictures of Courtney Love's skeletal unlooked-after form, hope for Hole's first gig in 11 years at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on Wednesday night (Feb. 17) weren't necessarily high.

Taking the stage soundtracked by Ravel's 'Bolero' -- could Love possibly have been after Torville and Dean's straight 10s, considering the current winter Olympics? -- the new Hole immediately rocked it.

Bearing in mind that Love's first comeback gig was cancelled due to her being holed up in the centre of a middle-class rave-riot, it seemed that the diva in residence had saved up her bile for the Empire's gig.

Looking like former Italian porn star and politician La Cicciolina with her cascading blonde pre-Raphelite curls and jeweled head band, Love emerged bang on time resplendent before a jaw-dropping coat-of-arms.

Her trademark growl nailed a cover of the Rolling Stones' 'Sympathy for the Devil.'

Melissa Auf Der Maur's harmonies and Eric Erlandsson may have been missing, but Love's new cohorts kept it so tight it was difficult to hear anything different from the Hole vinyl back catalogue.

Love's vocals held it all together. She wailed and her voice broke and howled and cracked. The pneumatic lips seemed to fade in the lights of the the Empire too, leaving memories of riot grrrrl days or feminist tendencies, and the crowd was left wondering how Courtney ever landed in L.A..

New tracks like 'Pacific Coast Highway' were stunning in their wide-screen Americana. "This is a b---- of a song," said Courtney after, still working on her guitar licks. No surprise, as most new songs boasted big riffs and chant-out-loud choruses, all stuff Courtney should get used to. 'Samantha' -- dedicated to an absent Samantha Ronson -- was a case in point, with a shout-out-loud rock chorus of "People like me suck! People like you suck!"

But the biggest cheers and abandon were saved for old Hole staples 'Malibu,' followed by 'Celebrity Skin,' which if nothing else, should remind folk Love grunge Yoko Ono. She writes it, lives it and still makes you realise she's the kind of proper rock star that most can only dream of being. Then she dropped the awesomely huge feminist-grunge staple of 'Doll Parts' for the encore. There are no words ...
  • Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK
  • Email This

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
11

12 Comments

Filter by:
Justme

I gotta give it to her. Her show was so damned good it was better than one big, fat fuck you to her critics!!!!!!!! She couldn't have said it in better style!

BTW, just for those of you who don't get it, the woman is on the very high side of the IQ scale. That's part of the reason she talks a lot and her thoughts jump around. She just thinks fast...either that or she's schizo, and I highly doubt that!!!!

Glad to see her looking hot too. She looked like Grunge Barbie!!!!!

February 26 2010 at 5:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
WILL

JODY WTF ARE YOU BABBLING ABOUT??? THIS IS AOL NOT BBC

February 19 2010 at 8:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
jes

are you kidding? courtney love is uber smart. she skipped two grades in school before dropping out. she wrote all her own songs. which shows what a beautiful, raw lyricist she can be. she did "leave it" to the new guys and they are a bunch of american idol pop tarts. who killed rock n roll. courtney love is keith richards in a short skirt. the joan jett of the grunge era when rock still rocked. she is an icon that cannot be sloughed off as 'somebodys widow', but a great artist in her own right. that can't be faked or don't you think there would be alot of 'wives' cashing in?

February 19 2010 at 8:15 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
johne

AND, Punk might be an attitude and a culture but it sure aint music. Some of punks greatest icons could barely play their instrument. Sid Viscious ring a bell.

February 19 2010 at 7:57 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Josh

I'm glad that she's starting to get it back together. I grew up with her music in middle/high school, and watched her movies. Hopefully, she can get back to the Grunge Queen she once was.

February 19 2010 at 7:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
PLR

Love isn't the best but she showed us all she's not the worst.
Drug addiction and alcoholism are rarely ever 100% cured. There's always an underlying cause and honestly, some of the greatest music was written and performed by people with substance abuse problems.
Give kudos to the fact that she did amazingly well. And let's hope she stays at least reasonably clean for awhile.

February 19 2010 at 6:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Lola

"She should retire gracefully and give the next two generations after her their stage."

F you. Music is for everyone.

February 18 2010 at 3:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Benjamin Goble

oh, i just wanted to say on behalf of my prior post, it's a truth for consider of those whom have drugged themselves into like coma thru compulsivity +/or other. i had such a hobby w. narcotics that i had to have special actions taken by a specific clausing in the medical field practicion, in no way at all. it depends. it is true though that apamorphine is way better than cyboxin after methadone, but who gets that?
it's not sad when people get high, it's when they don't want to, + live. it's not free to live for free. it's not free (in the US) to leave early. there's a cause to die from.

February 18 2010 at 12:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Benjamin Goble

fuckin right. let this be known in the spirit of the holy substance that you can go on h + rock rally, clear out for a while then get out of the happy hour death bed on some superior genetic steroid (#?) + some purile crystal meth. keep in mind it's none of that slack jawed yokel camper meth protected by shotgun shells in the light fixture. no, not that.

February 18 2010 at 12:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
John

She should retire gracefully and give the next two generations after her their stage. She's so rude and crude in real life, I wouldn't listen to her music even if WAS good, and truly hers. She hypes herself like grasping for straws. And rides anyone's coattails she thinks will get her somewhere, re: Stevie Nicks, Keisha, Perez Hilton etc and name drops desperately. A big bag of wind. Hey, maybe she could blow a trumpet or horn with all that hot air. She sure can't play guitar. Buying quality or quantities of guitars does not make you a musician. Somebody should tell her that. And from her youtube demos, I'd say she's tone deaf.

February 18 2010 at 7:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to John's comment
Karl Renaud

sorry but if youve got something critical of last nights show ,fair enough,but if you want to jump on the courtney Love hate wagon then my friend take a hike.I was there last night and after all her ups and downs of the last 8 years i wasnt expecting much.In truth Hole were awesome the kind of straight ahead rock and roll that is absent in this day and age

February 18 2010 at 10:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Load more comments

Follow Us

  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Sign Up for Spinner's Newsletter! Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!




  • Contact Us
  • Send News Tips
  • Advertise with Us

SIGN UP FOR SPINNER'S NEWSLETTER

  • Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Sign Up!

AOL Radio

Listen to Slacker AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Indie - Today's best indie rock and pop
play arrow
Indie Rock Mix - A mix of new and old indie rock
play arrow
New Indie First - The latest in indie music
Online Radio Guide

Listen to Full CDs

  • Paul McCartney, 'Kisses on the Bottom'
  • Sharon Van Etten, 'Tramp'
  • AIR, 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune'
  • Bahamas, 'Barchords'
  • Band of Skulls, 'Sweet Sour'
  • Play More Albums Free

Most Popular

  • Can You Guess This Famous Face?
    Like

    20

  • Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
    Like

    17

  • It's Pink!
    Like

    11

  • M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
    Like

    55

  • Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
    Like

    105

  • PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garter Tights
    Like

    92

  • Randy Travis Apologizes for Public Intoxication
    Like

    248

  • PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
    Like

    2K

  • Can You Guess This Famous Face?
    Like

    7

  • The Best And Worst Burgers
    Like

    212

  • It's Madonna!
    Like

    2

  • Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
    Like

    324

  • Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
    Like

    40

  • Woolly Mammoth Allegedly Caught On Video In Siberia
    Like

    681

  • Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
    Like

    218

  • PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
    Like

    2K

  • Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino To Housemates: Stop Hinting I'm Gay
    Like

    122

  • WATCH: Rose McGowan, Christie Brinkley & Minka Kelly Stumble On Runway
    Like

    15

  • WATCH: This Is Your Body On Ramen
    Like

    16K

  • Steve Jobs FBI File Reveals Bomb Threat, 'Tendency To Distort Reality' And More
    Like

    1K

  • WATCH: JFK Intern Discusses Sordid Details Of Affair
    Like

    799

  • 10 States Receive Waivers From No Child Left Behind Law
    Like

    4K

  • Third Photo Rejected By Yearbook, Editors Choose For Her
    Like

    89

  • WATCH: 7-Year-Old Girl Kicks And Screams Out Kidnapping At Walmart
    Like

    4K

  • U.S. Marines Posing With Symbol Resembling Nazi Logo 'Not Acceptable'
    Like

    2K

  • Santorum Sweeps Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, Embarrassing Romney
    Like

    998

  • Valentine's Day: Celebs Show Us How To Wear Lingerie (PHOTOS)
    Like

    12

  • The Oldest Found Work Of Art Ever!
    Like

    941

  • Women Of A Certain Age With Hair Of A Certain Length
    Like

    53

  • THE HUNGER BLOGS: A Secret World of Teenage 'Thinspiration'
    Like

    992

  • Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
    Like

    21

  • American Heart Month: 17 Celebrities Who Faced Heart Problems
    Like

    175

  • Furniture Company Sued Over Marlon Brando Couch
    Like

    92

Also on AOL

Quick Links

  • Slipknot Masks
  • Saddest Songs
  • Funny Music Videos
  • SXSW 2011

Also on AOL Music

  • Concert Tickets
  • Grammys 2012
  • Music Videos
  • New Music Releases

Blogs on AOL

  • Country Music
  • Hip Hop Music
  • Metal Music
  • Pop Music News

More on AOL

  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Metal Songs
  • Break Up Songs
  • Online Radio

More on AOL

  • Christmas Music
  • Classic Rock Songs
  • Best Songs of 2010
  • SHOUTcast

Help Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • About Our Ads
  • Follow Spinner on Twitter
  • The Interface
  • Free MP3
  • Full CDs
  • RSS

Spinner.com © 2011 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.