Melissa Auf der Maur on Potential Hole Reunion

Melissa Auf der Maur has expressed a renewed openness to the possibility of a Hole reunion, citing the current political climate in the United States as a primary motivating factor. In an interview with NME published on April 3, 2026, the bassist suggested that the world currently requires the power, rebellion, and intelligence associated with the band.

The comments follow a period of heightened speculation sparked by social media activity from Courtney Love. In March 2026, Love posted a video of Auf der Maur on Instagram, set to the band’s 1998 hit Malibu. The caption accompanying the clip asked, So do we tell the kids about the tour, to which Auf der Maur responded, it starts with eternal love ….

Despite the teaser, Love later clarified the nature of the upcoming project. She stated that there would be no Hole reunion, but revealed that she and Auf der Maur would be playing some shows, new songs together. Love further emphasized this distinction in a comment on her original video, telling followers, Not a reunion baby. Me and [Auf der Maur] touring new songs.

Political Motivations and Philosophical Views

Auf der Maur noted that she had consistently declined the idea of returning to the band for many years. However, she explained that her perspective shifted in response to the political environment in the U.S., which she referred to as the Evil Empire.

She believes that the fearless feminism of Courtney Love, combined with the perspective of their generation, could provide a necessary contribution to the dire dialogue currently taking place in the United States.

I have no idea. If there’s one thing I know about Courtney and Hole, it’s that it’s as mysterious as romantic love. You can’t force, organise, or plan these things.

Melissa Auf der Maur to NME

Auf der Maur also spoke highly of her former bandmate’s intellect, describing Love as one of the most well-read and intelligent humans she has spent a significant portion of her life with.

Band History and Career Context

Auf der Maur joined Hole in 1994 following the death of the band’s previous bassist, Kristen Pfaff. During her tenure, she became a stabilizing presence for Love and the rest of the group, contributing to the classic 1998 album Celebrity Skin.

She departed the band in 1999 and briefly joined The Smashing Pumpkins before establishing a solo career. While Hole’s classic lineup has been on hiatus since 2002, the group did reform between 2009 and 2012 with a different set of members.

In recent years, Love and Auf der Maur have slowly reintegrated their professional relationship. In October 2018, the pair appeared on stage together in Hudson, New York, where they performed the Hole tracks Doll Parts, Miss World, and Softer Softest.

This collaboration continued into 2024, when they returned to the studio together for the first time in over two decades. That same year, they teamed up for an appearance on a cover of Tim Buckley’s Song To The Siren by artist 070 Shake.

Concurrent Projects and Memoirs

The renewed connection between the two musicians coincides with several significant personal projects. In March 2026, Auf der Maur released her memoir, Even The Good Girls Will Cry. The work is described as a combination of a travel diary, a psychedelic scrapbook, and a coming-of-age autobiography, featuring rare photographs from her career.

Similarly, Courtney Love has been the subject of new media focus. A documentary titled Antiheroine premiered at Sundance earlier in 2026. A review by critic David Fear in Rolling Stone noted that the film features moments of blunt, borderline-brutal honesty and reflects an accountability that Love has reached while accepting herself.