Etty Lau, the wife of Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, has shared her perspective regarding an onstage altercation that erupted between Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during a recent concert in Boston. In a statement published on Instagram, Lau detailed the rising tensions within the band leading up to the incident, attributing the conflict to emotional strain affecting both Farrell and Navarro as they took the stage together.
This confrontation reportedly peaked during the band's performance of their song "Ocean Size." Lau mentioned that Perry's frustrations were heightened due to ongoing issues, including tinnitus and a sore throat. These problems contributed to an explosive situation, especially with audience members vocalizing complaints about the concert's loud volume, which interfered with Perry's vocal performance. Allegedly, Perry's aggressive approach of invading Navarro's personal space marked the beginning of their conflict.
Furthermore, Lau indicated that bassist Eric Avery intervened during the altercation by putting Farrell in a headlock and allegedly throwing punches at him, turning what was expected to be a collaborative performance into a chaotic moment. Eye witnesses, including a photographer on-site, noted that the issues had been simmering throughout earlier songs like "Mountain Song" and "Three Days." Although Jane's Addiction managed to play 11 songs before halting the show, it became clear that Perry was deeply affected, reportedly reduced to tears post-incident. To date, the band has not issued any official comments regarding this situation. Fans have expressed concerns about Perry's health in light of his previous struggles with his vocals, making the altercation additionally alarming. For further updates and a detailed review of the concert, you can check out NME's coverage here.