In a startling turn of events, Jane's Addiction was forced to cut their concert short in Boston, MA last night due to a physical altercation between lead singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro. The incident occurred during the performance of "Ocean Size," the 11th track in the band’s setlist. Typically, the show would continue for three more songs, but Farrell’s aggressive behavior led to an abrupt end to the performance.
Fan-recorded footage of the incident shows Farrell verbally attacking Navarro amid his guitar solo. Eyewitnesses report that Farrell exclaimed, "fuck these motherfuckers" before mouthing obscenities directed at Navarro and throwing a punch that landed on Navarro's chest. This prompted a quick response from Navarro’s guitar tech, Dan Cleary, who intervened to restrain Farrell, while band crew members moved to escort Farrell offstage.
The audience reacted with boos as drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery remained onstage to acknowledge the crowd's support, before leaving in solidarity with Navarro. Notably, this performance fell on Perkins' birthday, and he took a moment to celebrate with Navarro briefly before their exit.
Post-show, Cleary shared a photo of the venue on Instagram, captioned "The calm AFTER the storm. Thank you Boston. Sorry Boston." While the band members have not issued statements regarding the altercation, the incident has raised questions about the stability of Jane's Addiction's reunion.
This incident follows a previous apology from Farrell during a New York show for vocal issues. The current tour marks Navarro's return from Long Covid, and the band recently released their first new single in 34 years in July, with another slated for release on September 18. This latest incident adds tension to their reunion, particularly after Navarro shared a hopeful outlook about the band’s dynamics earlier this year.
For those interested in further updates on the band’s music and performances, you can check out Jane's Addiction.