Perry Farrell, the lead singer of Jane’s Addiction, punched guitarist Dave Navarro during a chaotic moment on stage at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, effectively cutting short the band’s concert on Friday night.
While performing “Ocean Size,” Farrell appeared to lose his temper, shouting obscenities at the audience and expressing frustration. Video footage shared on social media shows him confronting Navarro, seemingly escalating tensions by getting in Navarro’s face and throwing his shoulder into him. Navarro attempted to maintain composure, pushing back against Farrell while crew members rushed to intervene.
As the confrontation intensified, several crew and bandmates, including bassist Eric Avery, moved in to restrain Farrell. Despite the situation, the remaining members—Navarro, Avery, and drummer Stephen Perkins—managed to return to the front of the stage to bid farewell to the audience, who responded with a standing ovation.
Photographer Brian MacKenzie noted in a post on social media that many in the crowd initially thought the altercation was a staged act or joke between the bandmates. According to MacKenzie, Farrell was seen with a large bottle of wine throughout the evening, and Navarro and Avery had a tense demeanor.
Audience members expressed mixed feelings about the unexpected end to the show, with some disappointed and others intrigued by the dramatic turn of events. As of Saturday morning, neither the band nor the involved members had publicly addressed the incident.
The band’s current North American tour has faced challenges, including vocal issues for Farrell. During a previous performance at Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City, he acknowledged difficulties with his singing.
Despite these recent hurdles, Jane’s Addiction has continued on its tour, with plans for upcoming performances, including a scheduled concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The tour marks the reunion of the original band members after a significant break, especially after Navarro’s return following a battle with long COVID that kept him from touring in 2022 and 2023.