Big Day Out 95
HOLE


In the wake of Courtney Love's circus freak antics on this tour, Hole's dilemma is clear: if she does her pathetic, wasted, rant routine she gets trashed as a self-indulgent, no talent nut, afraid to let the songs do the talking.  If she actually lets the band play, people feel ripped off because, well, it's not everyday you get to see regression therapy with a beat, and that IS perversely thrilling.  After all, she is a rock star and they are supposed to be fucked up!

Today however, she chose the latter path and it was still a complete dud - not because of the lack of stream of consciousness bile, but because the music, unlike its recorded counterpart, was totally devoid of passion, drama, excitement, fun and just about every other admirable rock n' roll quality in the known universe.  I don't know why, maybe it's playing in the middle of the day, in the middle of a paddock.  Maybe those in-flight capers have tired her out.  Maybe (heaven forbid) her angst is real and she can't just turn it on five minutes before show time (doubtful).  Whatever the reason, and with the notable exception of Plump, the set was flatter than my chest and was only rendered sadder by the witless instrumental trashing, ending a total farce of a show that barely raised enough passion to justify breaking a string.  It was, to coin a phrase, "beyond fake".  Yoko Ono, your limousine is waiting. 

Tina Peel