Jane's Addiction |
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have
to be honest with you, something’s wrong with my voice,” Perry Farrell humbly apologized
to the Jane’s Addiction audience at the Rooftop at Pier 17. This was about 40
minutes into what was scheduled to be an 85-minute performance. “I’d like to
try one more song.”
Indeed, Farrell’s singing was hoarse
from the first note of his performance, as he struggled to hit unreachable
notes. The problem was bigger than the stilted vocal range, however. Farrell had
already forgotten many lyrics and mumbled incoherent rants that mystified his
listeners. Despite the disturbing obstacles and his veiled hint of ending the concert
early, Farrell soldiered on for another 40 minutes, at times with more guttural
moans than lyrics.
Jane's Addiction |
Jane's Addiction |
After reuniting the original
members for the first time in 14 years to perform an intimate show in London,
Jane’s Addiction announced that it would co-headline a 2024 tour with Love and
Rockets. Crawlers was later booked as the support act. The tour would include
two nights at the Rooftop at Pier 17 on September 10 and 11.
Welcome to Jane’s Destruction.
The first night’s performance began with blue stage lights that were so dim
that the audience could barely see the musicians. Vocalist Perry Farrell,
guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery took
their positions on the stage and began with “Kettle Whistle.” Three talented
musicians distanced themselves across the large stage yet worked well together.
Farrell, at center stage, fiddled with one hand at a small electronic gadget. Farrell
opened his mouth to start singing and it was bad.
Jane's Addiction |
Jane's Addiction |
On to the second song,
“Whores.” Farrell sang off-key, muttered what might have been gibberish instead
of lyrics, completely omitted the second verse, and aborted the song
prematurely. The pattern remained similar for most every song until the
80-minute show concluded with a four-person percussion drill.
Navarro, Perkins and Avery,
seemingly ignoring Farrell, put on their best performance. First coming
together as a band in 1985 in Los Angeles, California, the three played as
tight as when they first pioneered the early 1990s alternative rock movement. Like
Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen and Slash before him, Navarro schooled his unique
guitar chops in rock bands along Hollywood’s Sunset Strip until his talent
became recognized worldwide. On this less-than-stellar night for Jane’s
Addiction, Navarro’s numerous extended guitar flights were exciting and
imaginative. It only made sense for the audience to focus on and enjoy his distinct
contributions rather than on Farrell’s failure.
Jane's Addiction |
Love and Rockets |
Earlier in the evening, Love
and Rockets performed a 60-minute set that specialized in dark, haunting
grooves. The British trio, which formed in 1985 and has split and reformed
several times, has not recorded new work since 1998, so the set drew entirely
from old songs. Vocalist/guitarist Daniel Ash, bassist David J, and drummer
Kevin Haskins played mostly mellow songs, however engaging, and did not charge
with force until the last few songs.
As the evening’s opening set, Crawlers’ lead vocalist, Holly Minto, emoted and thrashed across the stage singing soft grunge songs for a half hour. Guitarist Amy Woodall, bassist Liv May, and drummer Harry Breen were less animated than Minto, yet supported ably. The quartet, formed in 2018 in Liverpool, England, has a promising future, but could use more stirring arrangements on its songs.
Crawlers |
Jane's Addiction |
Jane’s Addiction Setlist
- Kettle Whistle
- Whores
- Pigs in Zen
- Ain't No Right
- Ted, Just Admit It...
- Summertime Rolls
- Jane Says
- Then She Did...
- Mountain Song
- Three Days
- Ocean Size
- Stop!
- Chip Away
Love and Rockets Setlist
- The Light
- Kundalini Express
- No Big Deal
- The Dog-End of a Day Gone By
- Haunted When the Minutes Drag
- No New Tale to Tell
- An American Dream
- So Alive
- Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) (The Temptations cover)
- Mirror People
- Yin and Yang (The Flowerpot Man)
Love and Rockets |
Crawlers |
***
The Manhattan Beat reports on New
York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley
Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when
noted otherwise.
For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music
regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan
Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live
Music."
For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's September calendar.
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