The band who formed the early elements of alternative rock and the band who brought alternative rock to the mainstream, together once again on stage.
For fans of music, some of the most treasured memories they hold close are those experiencing the musicians they love to see perform. These strong, emotional connections last the test of time, including long after those musicians deliver their final performance and leave the stage for the last time. Such is the case for Jane’s Addiction, an iconic alternative rock band that soared to popularity in the 1990s and became one of the first alternative rock bands to cross over and have great success in mainstream media.
Initially breaking up in 1991 then toggling through years of on-again, off-again stints of reforming the band with various combinations of replacement musicians, the prospects of seeing all four original members perform again seemed to grow dimmer each passing year. Fortunately, to the delight of the nearly sold-out audience, they were about to relive their teenage dreams.
Prior to the evening’s headliner stepping on stage, UK-based Crawlers opened the show. Based in Liverpool, Crawlers formed in 2018 and experienced their breakout moment in 2021 when their song, “Come Over (Again)” went viral on TikTok. Fronted by Holly Minto on vocals, Amy Woodall on guitar, Liv May on bass and backing vocals, and Harry Breen on drums, they performed an excellent set as the sun disappeared below the horizon.
Crawlers’ setlist included several songs from their debut album, The Mess We Seem to Make. “I Don’t Want It” opened the set with its guitar-based rock power mixed with singable pop lyrics and bubbly beat. Holly showed the early makings of an excellent frontperson as she strutted across the stage laced with a cool slink in her step. Her emotive face and body movements were inviting, and sexy, then suddenly mixed with explosive violence. Bassist Liv May served as the only true hope of escaping Holly’s mesmerizing gaze as Liv thrashed and bounced about like an old-school punk rocker throughout the set.
Performing the song “What I Know Is What I Love” for the first time on tour, Crawlers opened the evening with excellent music and a stage presence that will certainly fill the stage as they grow bigger and aren’t crowded to the front of the stage by the equipment of bands to follow.
In 1987, Love and Rockets scheduled a short tour to celebrate the release of their album Earth-Sun-Moon on which they brought little-known Jane’s Addiction as an opening act. Now nearly forty years later, Love and Rockets rejoined with Jane’s Addiction to return the favor. Love and Rockets rose from the ashes of gothic rock pioneers, Bauhaus. Style, art, and image were always core to the essence of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets, which explained the space-age disco ball reflective suit worn by bassist and vocalist Daniel Ash and the super-cool 80’s new wave styling of guitarist and vocalist David J. Cool, collected, and supremely confident, all three band members including drummer Kevin Haskins oozed the purest essence ever of being a rock star.Their setlist included their biggest hits including “So Alive,” “No New Tale to Tell,” “No Big Deal,” and “Ball of Confusion.” Love and Rocket’s discography, ageless stage presence, and a sound that has only gotten better over the years was appreciated wildly by fans as if they were the headliner of the evening.
The original lineup of Jane’s Addiction took the stage in darkness and to ecstatic applause. The nearly sold-out audience was restless, eagerly awaiting this reunion which was fourteen years in the making. Opening with “Kettle Whistle,” Dave Navarro on guitar, Eric Avery on bass, and Stephen Perkins on drums sounded powerful, in sync, and exactly like Jane’s Addiction. Eric’s signature tone and iconic bass line to start “Summertime Rolls,” Stephen’s one-of-a-kind woodblock on “Ted, Just Admit It…,” and Dave’s punishing guitar assault on “Mountain Song” were all there exactly as it was when these songs were first recorded.Absent from the evening was vocalist Perry Farrell’s soaring voice. Hoarse and scratchy from the very beginning, Perry was suffering from some vocal ailment that not even the bottle of Bordeaux wine by his feet could cure for the evening’s performance. Arguably, it was admirable that Perry managed as well as he did by singing meekly and softly to complete the show. However, the loss of one of the four unique voices that made Jane’s Addiction was a huge loss and limited the power and impact a typical Jane’s Addiction performance would have. Instrumentally, this reunion of the original lineup was a tremendous success. Lyrically, Jane’s Addiction will return to full force once Perry cures what ails him.
Jane’s Addiction continues to tour through October 16, 2024, ending in Los Angeles, California in celebration of their new single, “Imminent Redemption.”
JANE’S ADDICTION
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