It’s worth noting that I’m not a mega fan of Jane’s Addiction but had bought tickets to see a band from the 90s who we’d never seen before. With a capacity crowd ramping up the electricity, it was easy to get swept up in the excitement. If we weren’t super fans, it appeared we might have been the only ones, for the crowd on this heady evening were defiantly devotees at the Jane’s Addiction temple. As the lights dimmed and the intro track kicked it the crowd erupted, and the start of the Sunday service began.
The band enter the stage with guitarist Dave Navarro strutting the stage in a kaftan and scarf but no shirt, giving the impression he had a shirt with the front cut out, but to be fair he has the body to pull off the look. But it’s the roar that greets Perry Farrell as he enters the stage that is loudest, it’s simply deafening.
The opening track Up the Beach from the Nothing Shocking album meanders along with Perry’s haunting vocals almost drowned out by the audience. The feeling of love for this band is very apparent and we sort of feel we are in the minority not knowing every word. Next up is Whores, a track recorded by the band in 2009 and released on the live self-titled album in 1987. It’s a bit more upbeat and the crowd bounce along nicely. Next a couple of tracks from Ritual de lo Habitual, their most well-known album and one I played to death at the discos in the 90s. Had a Dad and Ain’t No Right moves the beat up a notch. Perry’s vocals are excellent, and despite his advancing years (he’s 65) he can still hold the crowd in the palm of his hand. He looks a little frail though, painfully thin as his suit hangs off him, but still does the business.
Next up 1% and new song Imminent Redemption, giving an indication to some new recordings coming out soon. They both stand up in the set, with1% standing out for me. The set continues with Ted, Just Admit It and Jane Says, both tracks meander along, Perry’s echoing vocals shimmer through the venue grasping the devoted congregation into a chorus of love for the songs and the band. For me it goes on a little too long and I’m happy when the opening bars of Been Caught Stealing start and the hypnotic effect is broken. By now the audience is bouncing like its 1992 once more. Ocean Size and the incredible Stop! end the main set. Encores are Three Days and Mountain Song, both a little light and for me bringing the end to a slow stop. They go off before returning to conclude with Chip Away which brings the show to a close. The audience cheer and file out, as happy as can be. I think for me the band are a little slow and winding and as I leave, I reflect that rather than ticking boxes of bands I haven’t seen but feel I should, I probably should have listened to then again before buying the tickets. I did enjoy them for what they were, but they sounded a little dated to my ears. Don’t tell that to the devoted though, who went home full of the love and spirit of Jane’s Addiction.
YouTube video: @gshaw197
Review by John Caffrey
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