A concert by the rock band Jane’s Addiction in Boston was abruptly halted on Friday night due to a heated exchange between lead vocalist Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro. The incident transpired during the band’s performance of “Ocean Size” at the Leader Bank Pavilion. Farrell’s anger, initially directed at the audience, escalated into a physical confrontation with Navarro, as captured in a video circulating on social media.
The footage reveals Farrell advancing aggressively towards Navarro, who tried to keep his cool and restrain Farrell. The situation escalated further when Farrell began throwing elbow jabs at Navarro. This prompted intervention from crew members and fellow bandmates, including bassist Eric Avery. Despite their attempts to defuse the situation, the lights were dimmed and Farrell was escorted off stage.
Following the incident, the remaining band members, Navarro, Avery, and drummer Stephen Perkins, addressed the audience. They expressed their gratitude and peace towards the crowd, who responded with a standing ovation. The abrupt end to the concert left the audience with mixed feelings. Some were disappointed, while others speculated that they may have witnessed the band’s final performance.
Brian MacKenzie, a photographer documenting the concert, shared that the audience initially thought the confrontation was part of the act. He noted that Farrell had been consuming wine throughout the evening and that Navarro and Avery seemed more irritable than usual.
As of Saturday morning, neither the band nor Navarro and Perry have publicly commented on the incident. This is not the first time the band has faced issues during their current North American Tour. At a concert in New York City on September 10, Farrell confessed to the audience that he was having difficulties with his vocals.
Despite these challenges, the band continues to engage with their fans. Bassist Avery took to Instagram the day after the New York concert to express his optimism for their upcoming performances. Jane’s Addiction is set to perform next at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut on September 15.
The band’s 2024 tour marks a significant milestone, as it reunites the original members following Avery’s return in 2022 and Navarro’s recovery from long COVID. Farrell has previously expressed his appreciation for Navarro, stating in a 2022 interview that he missed his guitarist during his absence. The band had enlisted the talents of Troy Van Leeuwen from Queens of the Stone Age and Josh Klinghoffer from Red Hot Chili Peppers to fill Navarro’s role during his hiatus.