Courtney Love and her new version of Hole played a headline performance at the Spin magazine party at Stubb’s Amphitheater as part of the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX yesterday and by pretty much all accounts, they put on a great show. C. Love seems intent on proving that she is back with a vengeance and she is taking no prisoners. Here are a few photos from Hole’s performance at SxSW last night and one review of the show:

America’s sweetheart is back. And back to her old self. Grunge queen Courtney Love unveiled her new lineup of Hole at the South by Southwest Music festival on Friday afternoon — and she had a few choice words for former bandmates and anyone else who might have had a problem with that. “We are Hole whether you like it or not, you suckshits,” cracked Love, introducing her new quartet of young-buck rock dudes. “This is the way it’s going to stay for a fucking long time!” It was clear that was fine with the 2,000-plus rabid fans who jammed into Stubb’s Amphitheatre for the band’s first U.S. gig as part of Spin magazine’s 25th annual SXSW party. And it was just as clear that Love isn’t screwing around this time. Anyone expecting the dishevelled, rambling train-wreck Courtney of recent years was in for a shock; this was freight-train Courtney, back on track, firing on all cylinders and barrelling over anyone stupid enough to get in her way. Dolled up like Stevie Nicks’ evil twin in a frilly black dress, a beaded headband, ripped black tights, green high heels and a sash that read Beware, Love — who is rumoured to be on a mission to re-establish her musical credibility with these shows — appeared clean, sober, focused and ready to throw down with any and all contenders for her rock-goddess tiara. With her left leg planted on her monitor, she put her hard-hitting band through its paces, opening with abbreviated versions of Pretty on the Inside and Sympathy for the Devil before tearing into a set that alternated blistering versions of classics like Miss World and Violet with new material from her upcoming CD Nobody’s Daughter. That song arrangement worked just fine; for the first time in a long time, Love’s current material holds up next to her back catalog. Her new tunes were fueled by massive power-chord riffs, slamming drums, and Love primal screaming NSFW lyrics like, “You’d be dumb to fuck with me / I could kick your scrawny ass … You skinny white bitch;” and the family-friendly refrain, “People like you f— people like me.” There were gentler moments, too, like the midtempo Pacific Coast Highway and the piano-driven power ballad Letter to God, in which she claims, “I never wanted to be the person you see.” Newfound humility aside, being Love means never having to say you’re sorry. And the foul-mouthed loose cannon was in fine form here, dishing bawdily about her bandmates’ sexual prowess, mocking Brett Michaels (“Pick me, Brett … I’d make that fucker get hair plugs so fast”) and explaining why she loves one of her new songs (“It reminds me of sex — fucked up hate sex”). Overall, she was clearly in high spirits, waving at friends, smiling broadly and enjoying her triumphant return to the stage. When told she only had time for one more song in her 45-minute showcase, she complained a bit — “I was going to bring it; I’m in the mood” — but quickly recovered her poise and blasted through one last rocker before calling it a day. “I’d stage-dive, but I’m far too elderly,” the 45-year-old widow of Kurt Cobain quipped at the end of her set. So instead, she curtsied, gave us all the finger and sashayed backstage with a smug smile that could only mean one thing: Mission fucking accomplished.

I have to admit … I’m very curious to see this new version of Hole perform live … which is why I got tix to see them play a show here in LA at the Music Box at the Henry Fonda Theater next month. I’m encouraged by this review … but I’ll have to judge for myself. At least we know that Courtney is finally serious about making and playing music again … let’s see if she’s got the chops to make it last.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Here’s a little left over from last week’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, TX … IFC managed to get some interview time with Tori Amos and got her to play a game of What If with the songstress … resulting in one of Tori’s most charming interviews ever. Watch it below:

The interviewer, Alessandro Minoli, asked some really great questions (my fave was the one about the major/minor key) to make for a really great interview. I had no idea that Tori would be so happy to roast a man alive rather than burning a piano for warmth (tho, on second thought … I guess I should not be surprised at all). She is a lioness, indeed. The interview is really great but it only makes me more anxious for more — I am really looking forward to hearing more new music from her new album Abnormally Attracted to Sin which is due out in May and then seeing her on tour afterward. Woot!

[Source]

After last night’s lateness and today’s hotel check out-ness, I only have time to write one post before I have to get on my plane back to LA. Please forgive the shortness but the last night of South by Southwest for me here in Austin, TX was a late one … and it was awesome. After I finished blogging yesterday, I made my way to the closest Sonic to enjoy some amazing deliciousness to get my day started:

If Chick-Fil-A is my fave Southern fast food restaurant, Sonic has to be my #2. I LIVED for their Frito’s Pies back when I lived in Oklahoma … but they’ve since turned into Frito Chili Cheese Wraps — and they’re just as amazing. OMG, I could’ve honestly eaten 8 of those things but I wanted to munch on the tater tots and the popcorn chicken … oh and a large grape slush. It was so delish :)

So after I ate all that yumminess, I made my way downtown and met up with my friend Devin. We grabbed some drinks at the Shakespeare’ Ale House, got hit on by some drunk girls and got to talk music. I really wanted to see DJ Dieselboy but his performance was too close to Yelle’s performance who was all the way across … so we skipped him to see Yelle only to find a massively long line. Devin only had a wristband so I waited with him in line and we determined that we weren’t going to get in. We cut our losses and got in line for Perry Farrell’s solo show at midnight. The line wasn’t too long when we got there but the door people were telling us that they didn’t think anyone would get in cuz they had to fulfill a “guest list” which I understand is a no-no here at SxSW. A few locals in the know started complaining and magically they let the folks with wristbands in … Devin and I got a prime position right at the front of the stage. I kinda thought that all of Jane’s Addiction might perform but it turned out to be Perry, his small band and a couple of go-go dancers. Here are a few photos:

The show was just fun as hell!! Perry is such a happy man, his show was just really jovial and he was in great spirits. The whole place was a total lovefest. His performance ran a little longer than the usual 45 mins. cuz he did an encore of the Jane’s Addiction song Jane Says to close out his show. After the jump, watch video of that performance …

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Yesterday was another fun-filled day here in Austin, TX for the South by Southwest music festival … I got to see a few really great performances, including a couple of repeat performances to round out my third day of the fest. Before the fun got underway, I met up with my friend Rachel, her boyfriend Nathaniel and their friend Carey for a sumptuous dinner at Buenos Aires Cafe. The food was amazing but the dessert … omg … was to die for:

My show line-up for last night was made up of Jump Back Jake (from Memphis, TN), Erin McCarley (from Dallas, TX), Javelins (from Detroit, MI), Melissa Auf Der Maur (from Montreal, Canada) and The Von Bondies (from Detroit, MI) … here are a few photos:

The shows were all really great … Jump Back Jake was my fave discovery of the day. Erin was fun to see again and I was really happy to see my Detroit boys the Javelins on stage again. The last time I saw them live they were performing at an arcade/pizza parlor in Toledo, OH a few years ago. My ex-boyfriend Erik is a huge fan of theirs, he’s the one who introduced me to the band. My big show of the night was former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur. I LOVE her to death. Her debut album is one of my faves … she’s been away from music for a few years but she’s back and promises to release a new album this summer. After the jump, check out video of Melissa performing her song Follow the Waves …

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OY! I am tired and beat … all this South by Southwest fun is beatin’ my ass up! It wasn’t that long ago that I used to have the kind of stamina that it takes to go all day long from concert to concert without much sleep … but I guess in my old age, that ability has died down a bit. I have to say, tho, that I am having the best time ever tho. I made my first SxSW friend yesterday, got to see a few amazing performances and even got to dance a little bit. Day Two was really fun and really packed ;) I started out by grabbing a bite to eat at the nearest Chick-Fil-A:

The day just got better from there. I met my new friend Devin while we were waiting in line to see The Von Bondies perform at the Bat Bar inside the Austin Convention Center. We hit it off and hung out for the VB show and then made our way to the Peter Murphy show that was right after. We lost touch at that show but met up later on in the night. After Peter, I made my way to La Zona Rosa to await Tori Amos and saw Gabriella Cilmi and Erin McCarley who performed before Tori’s set — they were both really great. On the advice of Neil Gaiman, I hauled my ass all the way across town as soon as Tori’s performance was over to see Amanda Palmer … which is where I met up with my friend Devin. So many great performances!!! Here are pics of the artists that I saw yesterday:

The Von Bondies were so great … it was the first time I saw them perform outside of Detroit. They looked and sounded amazing. The new stuff is really good. Peter Murphy was just fabulous … he was in total Grand Dame mode and seemed to be having a great time. Gabriella Cilmi was a nice surprise … her cover of Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me A River was pretty rad. Erin McCarley was another new find for me. I’m deffo gonna have to pick up her album … and I may see her again tonight. She did a great version of Tom’s Diner by Suzanne Vega … totally killed it!! Tori was heavenly, as I already mentioned HERE and Amanda Palmer … wow! So far, she is my fave new discovery. Her raw passion and talent is really inspiring. She reminds me a bit of Ani DiFranco on piano. I am gonna get as much of her music as I can as well.

After the long day, I needed a drink … so Devin suggested we head over to Oil Can Harry’s for a beverage or two … which was great cuz the club was hosting a nekkid boy in underwear contest :) Not a bad way to unwind. Devin and I hung out for a bit and then I decided to call it a day by 2am. So much fun, tho. I have to give a shout-out to all the people I got to meet yesterday like Steve, Katie, Carrie and Laurie … there were others and I wish I could remember all the names but, alas, I failed to jot them down :( Here are pics of me with Pink readers Erica and Brittany at the Tori show and Javier from the Red Bull party the night before:

Tonight I’m meeting up with my friend Rachel for dinner and then I’m planning to see the Detroit band the Javelins and Melissa Auf Der Maur. I’m sure I’ll squeeze in some other shows too so … the fun never stops :) Seriously tho, I’m gonna need a vacation from this vacation. I hope I can make it thru ’til Sunday. OY!!

Last night I had the privlidge of attending Tori Amos’s South by Southwest performance at La Zona Rosa here in Austin, TX to bear witness to the debut of three new songs from her new album Abnormally Attracted to Sin. Playing for just about 45 minutes, Tori played a 9-song set that included the songs Lady in Blue, Curtain Call and Mary Jane from her new album in addition to beloved classics like Crucify, Silent All These Years and others. Here are a few of the photos that I snapped of Tori’s performance last night and the full show setlist:

Tori Amos – La Zona Rosa @ SxSW 03.19.09

Lady in Blue
Curtain Call
Crucify
Cloud On My Tongue
Beauty of Speed
Mary Jane
Take To The Sky (With I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet interlude)
Silent All These Years
Barons of Suburbia

The show was short but very sweet. Tori performed with just her piano and a keyboard, no band … and sounded divine. Each Tori Amos performance is a special one and you could tell that she was in great spirits last night. She gave a shout out to all of the “familiar faces” in the crowd and lovingly played thru her very short set. The new songs are interesting but I’ll need a few more listens to formulate a full opinion. Tori introduced the new song Mary Jane by explaining that it was inspired by a “true story” of a teenage boy (who she didn’t want to name) who asked his mother if he could invite Mary Jane over to their house … or something to that effect. The song is very cute. I managed to record video of her performing that song which you can watch behind the cut. The classic songs were amazing. Cloud on my Tongue is one of my favorites, I love hearing her perform that song solo without the band (sorry guys ;) After the jump, check out video of Tori performing the songs Crucify and Mary Jane …

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I have arrived in beautiful Austin, TX … and I am excited and tired as hell ;) My red eye flight wasn’t problematic at all but since I only got about 2 hours of sleep, I’m not sure how much longer I can go on without a nap of some kind. I want to finish a few more posts this afternoon but today may be more like a weekend day rather than a weekday. I spent much of this morning getting my rental car and now I’m all set to take on the SxSW fest:

I’m prolly only gonna see 2-3 shows per night which is more than enough … the schedule this year is pretty fantastic. Tori Amos tomorrow night is my MUST see show but the rest of the options look really fun. I’m gonna see Ladyhawke and Young Love tonight. I’m not sure how much energy I’ll have for a full night but I’m gonna do my best to take it all in. I’m hoping tomorrow will be a more normal day workwise …

I had forgotten how much I missed the South … everyone here is so friendly, it’s great to be in Austin, TX again. I’m hoping to meet some of y’all in town tonight … please say hello. If I look a bit bedraggled, please don’t hold it against me :) And away we go …