As expected, the anticipation at Leader Bank Pavilion was palpable as Jane’s Addiction, the iconic alt-rock band, took the stage with their original lineup for their long-awaited reunion tour in Boston on Friday the 13th. A roar erupted from the crowd as Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins, each clad in signature styles, stepped onto the stage. Ever the fashion icon, Farrell exuded his usual charm with skinny jeans, Converse All-Stars, and a stylish hat. Navarro, a human canvas of solid black tattoos, opted for a classic black-only ensemble of tank tops, leather pants, Doc Martins, hats, and face paint. Avery and Perkins, on the other hand, went for a more casual look, sporting jeans and t-shirts.
The setlist was a nostalgic journey through the band’s catalog, with hits like the obligatory “Jane Says” and deeper cuts like “Kettle Whistle” delighting the audience. The band’s musicianship was as sharp as ever, with Navarro’s guitar solos and Avery’s intricate bass lines complementing Farrell’s charismatic vocals and Perkins’ powerful drumming. The energy on stage was infectious, and the band’s performance swept the crowd away.
As noted from the band’s recent visit to NYC, Farrell was struggling vocally. Still, to his credit, he left everything on the stage with his physical performance – posturing, dancing, and interacting with the audience. The audience was quick to forgive as he tried to hit the demanding high notes that permeated much of the set. To some, “Pigs in Zen” may have been the best product from the frontman. The brooding Navarro, who opted to stay more in the shadows than any available spotlight, did not disappoint as his fretwork and tone was outstanding. Navarro was locked in while meticulously shredding through his solos in “Ain’t No Right” and the epic “Mountain Song.”
Just as locked in was Avery, whose body was entirely in league with the pulsating music during “Whores” and more. Perkins looked like he was having the most fun, as his skills behind the kit are unique and flat-out excellent. His drum solo, if you will, is and was so different than the typical nonsense that others take. He somehow manages to make it come across as a song where the idea of hitting the head or the overpriced bar is not an intelligent option. He is the rock of the band and should be recognized as such. However, on a night when Perkins’ birthday should have been celebrated, the event took a tragic turn as the band neared the end of “Ocean Size.”
In a shocking outburst, Farrell forgot himself, lost his temper, and lashed out at the band, specifically Navarro. After overenunciating a handful of expletives, Farrell stared down Navarro, launched his shoulder into him, and may have thrown a punch as well. The incident escalated quickly, with the band’s crew rushing to intervene. Completely keeping his cool, Navarro took the high road and only raised his hand to keep Farrell at bay. Avery, in a desperate attempt to de-escalate the situation, placed Farrell in a bear hug and allegedly delivered a forceful blow (or three) to his singer’s stomach. Perkins, visibly bewildered, tore out his ear monitors and left his drum kit to join the fray.
This sudden, unnecessary, and unprofessional violence shattered the once-harmonious atmosphere, leaving the audience stunned and disappointed. The audience let the band have it for several minutes with a deafening series of boos. Perkins, Avery, and Navarro then gathered together and walked to the front of the stage to solemnly wave goodbye.
While the musical highlights of the concert were undoubtedly impressive, the unfortunate incident involving Farrell and Navarro will likely overshadow the performance for many. The band’s reunion, which had promised to celebrate their massively influential legacy, was marred by a disappointing display of aggression. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact the band’s future and whether they can reconcile their differences and continue to perform together.
Editor note: On 9/16/24 – Jane’s Addiction announced they will step away from touring for the foreseeable future.
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