Etty Lau, wife of Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, has shared her perspective on the onstage altercation that transpired between Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during a recent concert in Boston. Lau took to Instagram to elaborate on the rising tensions leading up to the incident, which she attributes to emotional strain affecting both musicians as they prepared to perform.
The confrontation reportedly peaked during the band's rendition of their song "Ocean Size," with Lau detailing how Farrell's frustration grew due to ongoing issues such as tinnitus and a sore throat. These challenges reportedly led to an explosive situation onstage, igniting when audience members began voicing complaints about the concert's volume, which disrupted Farrell's vocal performance. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Farrell's aggressive approach, including invading Navarro's personal space, marked the initial spark of the conflict.
Additionally, Lau noted that bassist Eric Avery intervened during the altercation by putting Farrell in a headlock and allegedly throwing punches at him, which transformed what was supposed to be a collaborative performance into a chaotic scene. Attendees and a photographer on the scene witnessed that the tensions had been brewing throughout earlier parts of the show, including songs like "Mountain Song" and "Three Days." While Jane's Addiction managed to play 11 songs before halting the performance, it became evident that Perry was significantly affected, with reports indicating he was reduced to tears post-incident.
As of now, the band has not released any official statements addressing the situation. Concerns have been raised among fans regarding Perry's health, especially given his past struggles with vocals, making this altercation particularly alarming. For additional updates and a detailed review of the concert, you can check out NME's coverage here.