Jane's Addiction
Live: Pier 17 NYC 9/10/24
Live music is the best thing going, you never know what you are in for on any given night. Sometimes magical highs can be truly life affirming and sometimes, on the other end of the spectrum, well, you get Jane's Addiction at Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport section of Manhattan on Tuesday night September 10th.
This is the first time since 2010 that the classic Jane's Addiction lineup took the stage together in NYC with Perry Farrell (vocals), Dave Navarro (guitar), Eric Avery (bass) and Stephen Perkins (drums) putting aside differences to tour. RtBE caught them live in 2012, with Chris Chaney on bass, and that show was solid, but being a huge Avery fan, this show as not to be missed.
On second thought, I kind of wished I missed it. Not for Avery or Perkins, who were both rumbling and locked in, or for Navarro, who was fine, if a bit lethargic and slightly disinterested (with clear reason), but for front-man Farrell.
Perhaps he was under the weather, perhaps his fashionista wardrobe weighed him down, but by rambling to about 'playing the this venue before, in the day time' and seeming incoherent all around, perhaps it is more likely he ingested something pre-show that messed him up really badly. Whatever the case may be, Perry has seen better nights.
The band started the 13 song set with the trio of "Kettle Whistle", "Whores" and "Pigs In Zen" and while Perry began singing in a sedated manner, by the time the end of "Pigs in Zen" wrapped up something was clearly off. The rhythm section tried to carry the weight on "Ain't No Right" but when "Ted, Just Admit It..." tried to hit it's "Sex Is Violent" high point Farrell fumbled the ball badly.
While all of this was tough to watch and listen to, the bottom was truly hit with the combo of "Summertime Rolls" and "Jane Says". Arguably their two best songs, Perry was in shambles as some fans noticeably headed for the exits, disgusted. The majority stuck it out as Farrell took a moment post song to apologize to everyone that something "was just off with my voice".
Dealing with the obvious, the band members looked visibly frustrated and they toned down the volume of the vocals and focused more on the music as Farrell didn't even try to hit the highs in "Mountain Song" which was the show highlight as Perkins and Avery dominated. "Three Days" also used extended jams and solos by Navarro to stretch out, keeping Farrell off mic for as long as possible, before the band ended the rough set with the tribal drumming of "Chip Away".
Hopefully this is a one off, bad night for Farrell and not something worse as the band has more shows on this tour lined up. When in full flow Jane's Addiction's original lineup can be something special, on this night in NYC they were especially bad, thanks to an awful performance from their lead singer.
UPDATE:
By all accounts Farrell re-grouped and helped deliver an amazing show the following night at Pier 17. However the good times didn't last as Perry tried to fight Dave Navarro in Boston over the weekend and the tour is officially canceled. Great recap of all of that.
__________
Support the artists, see them live, peep some video below:
No comments:
Post a Comment