SXSW 2010 Band Reunions: Courtney Love and Hole, STP, Bone Thugs N Harmony
- Author: Faith-Ann Young
- Posted on: Monday March 22, 2010 at 1:00 PM
- Filed under: exclusive, music, bone thugs n harmony, hole, courtney love, layzie bone, crayzie bone, flesh bone, wish bone
Though the Texan music bacchanal SXSW is widely known as a watering hole for new music, each year Austin seems to progressively draw bigger, more established acts - especially those seeking a new start, new buzz and a new, younger fanbase. Last year, Jane's Addiction reunited. This year, the trend continued with bands as diverse as Hole, Stone Temple Pilots, Macy Gray, and Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony showing up at SXSW this year.
First up? Courtney Love and Hole @ Stubb's on Friday.
A skinny Courtney Love strut onstage in full Bavarian princess gear: rich embroidered lace and jeweled headband- all while smoking a cigarette. She was a far cry for the days of smugged lipsticks and slippery silk dresses....
Opening Song? Cover of The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil."
Second Song? Her newest single 'Skinny Little Bitch" - sung with raspy, rugged attitude...
To be fair, the crowd was not full of really big Hole fans. There were no sing-alongs. Instead, they were there for the intrigue - what would Love sound like? Would she fall over? Where the new songs worth their time....?
For the most part their questions were answered. Love brought with her an entirely new band (.....like this young, Liam Gallagher-looking fella on the right...) Her voice is definitely cigarette-rugged...for more rock 'n roll effect. But unfortunately, some of the newer jams were overshadowed by the ones to which crowd knew the words.
Her parting lines? “Trent Reznor 1995, stick that up your ass!” Then she cheekily commented, “I’d stage dive, but I’m far too elderly."
Damn.
A front-row fan's purse....
BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY @ LEVI'S® FADER FORT
In honor of their new album, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony took the stage the last night of the Levi's® FADER FORT. After all, the group has reunited for their new album (Uni5: The World’s Enemy, due out April 27th) and Krayzie, Wish, Layzie and Flesh-N-Bone will tour for the first time together in over a decade, minus original group member Bizzy Bone, this summer.
At the Fort however, the group dwindled down to actually just three members.
Word was Flesh Bone missed his flight out to Austin and couldn't get on another so the three others had to take the stage without him... Doh.
Regardless, just as three, the performance was solid, amped-up, and fun; the raps tight. They got the audience in a sweat-filled tizzy - hands in the air - over heartfelt tributes to Michael Jackson (Cross your arms and hold em up!), Tupac and Biggie. They didn't seem out of breath. They didn't seem a day older than their hey-day. They brought the 90s back for a hour in Austin. And it felt good.
Other reunions? Macy Gray and Stone Temple Pilots were at SXSW as well but we missed their acts (STP was an official SXSW showcase; the rest were un-official.) So if you were there and saw Macy or STP, speak your peace below. Otherwise, let us know what you think of the reunions above? Should be or not should be?
PHOTOS: Faith-Ann Young
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COMMENTS
“ Thank God Courtney Love is back. But can we really call this an STP reunion? They've been on tour together again for years now. ”
