Courtney Love Manchester Academy 1 May 13th 2014

Courtney Love -Manchester Academy 13th May 2014

 

Today I'm here to see a 'Woman Icon' of the Grunge era,she founded the 'RiotGirl' movement of female artists who kick ass and play guitars and rule the world before the Spice Girl's were even out of school back in the early 90's.

 

She married another Rock Icon of the Grunge era none other that 'Kurt Cobain' of 'Nirvana' and they made headlines in both newspapers and the Music press worldwide for their relationship and their music.

 

'Courtney' inspired a generation of female's across the world and made it ok to be Grunge Girl in a male dominated world proving women have a huge place in society and can be be strong and powerful she is of course the one and only 'Courtney Love Cobain'.

 

The last time she came to 'Manchester' it was for a solo tour in 2010, I missed it as I was on another tour at the time,I have always wanted to see her play live.

 

Here in 2014 on a spring sunny but showery day I am here to say "Hello" and wish her "Good Luck" on stage tonight,I'm fortunate to be chatting to the crew and support band 'White Miles' (Yes you do hear me right I did say White Miles),also present in her band is 'Ginger' from 'The Wildhearts' I'm lucky enough to get a photo signed after soundcheck as I bumped into her by accident,I later rejoined the queue triple excited .

 

Doors open at 7pm and the crowd are already at the bar I staked a great place at the front.

To start things off are 'White Miles' a duo from 'Austria' they play a set of tracks which is influenced by Rock bands such as 'Led Zeppelin','Rolling Stones' and 'Jefferson Airplane' with a female singer on guitars and a drummer called 'Loafie' over to the right side of the stage, they have a tremendous energy and really go for it on stage,and the crowd get into the mood to rock.

 

At around 8.30pm 'Courtney's' band take to the stage,followed by a glam looking 'Courtney Love' in a Japanese Kimono top and Silver jeans,with her trademark Orange 'Rickenbacker' guitar,she pretty much knocks us all out with her voice and performance from the beginning.

 

The first song she starts with is 'Wedding Day' a new song and then she cranks it up with anthem 'Miss World' from 'Hole's Live Through This' Album,on the front row with me are young teenage  'Courtney' wannabes moshing,it's like a really cool girls night out.

 

Off comes the Kimono and she shows off her figure in a Silver Grey slip,her hair White blonde and that infamous Red pout as in the 'Hole' years,she doesn't disappoint and continues to play a bunch of their songs from 'Live Through This'.

 

She talks to us throughout the set and one girl shouts 'Celebrity Skin' to which 'Courtney' retorts  in her unique American dialect "Oh you only want me to sing songs from when I  was 20 something and pretty I'm nearly 50 now" she laughs it off and carries on with some songs from that album 'Celebrity Skin' then she speaks to us again "Ok now I'm going to do a song about a place where most of you will never get to...", at this point the crowd are poised and so loud that it just erupts for 'Malibu', she skilfully perches on the front amp crouching and lapping up the attention.

 

It' s a relaxed side of 'Courtney' on stage the public haven't seen in a while,she's back on form tonight and in her element ,she banters with her band over the next song to play including a cover version that no one knows,but she insists on singing it as its a fav of hers who are we to stop her ,it's a great song anyway,'Courtney' is loving the 'Manchester' welcome and plays us her new single 'You Know My Name' she's just finished filming the video for it,she keeps a good control of her voice these days too hitting the high notes in the right places without over emphasising I'm glad I seen her now as back then I don't think she'd of smashed it as much as tonight as her concentration was mainly on controversial stage antics not so much her vocal talent the balance is right these days.

 

I'm so overwhelmed, and not one to disappoint she plays more 'Hole' songs and hints that there could be a reunion soon and she goes into 'Asking For It' and one my favs 'Violet' she really can play that guitar she scowls in style down at the mic.

 

Eventually she does play 'Celebrity Skin' and it's an amazing end to the first part of the show,as she leaves the stage the crowd chant  " 'Courtney',Courtney' Courtney" !!!

 

She returns barefoot and dressed in a white lacy gown for an acoustic version of 'Northern Star',as it begins she walks over to the right and takes a Bright Pink Ribbon from a fan at the front and ties it in her hair and ends on 2 more 'Hole' songs 'Awful' and 'Doll Parts',the crowd cheer like crazy she takes a bow smiles at the fuss,looks pleased it went well and leaves the spotlight of the stage and lights come on again

 

Everyone I spoke to said they had an amazing time and were really into it, and glad to have her back most were more than a little excited about the rumours of a reunion being almost confirmed,my night was topped off  by chatting to a guy who looked just like 'Kurt Cobain' it was almost uncanny,I tipped him off that 'Courtney' was in the other coach if he wanted a chance to meet her.

 

Just as I said that I thought 'Have I done the right thing ,imagine if she thought he looked like 'Kurt' too..he really did look like the late great 'Mr Cobain'......

 

I had a great time tonight and met some great people I was lucky enough to get some great live shots which I shall be putting into the  Itsallinthemusic gallery very soon...keep watching...

 

Riot Girls 4 Eva  !!

 

 

 

LM  x