The Jane’s Addiction concert in Boston took an unexpected turn on Friday when lead singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro got into a physical altercation onstage during their performance.
As captured in videos from the show, trouble arose during the song “Ocean Size” when Farrell appeared agitated for reasons that remain unclear. He approached Navarro and shoved him from behind, escalating the situation as he shouted at Navarro. In a surprising moment, Farrell then punched Navarro on the shoulder, prompting a confused reaction from the guitarist. Crew members quickly intervened, with one restraining Farrell while others, along with bassist Eric Avery, rushed to help remove him from the stage. Ultimately, the concert came to an abrupt end following 11 songs, falling short of the usual 14 or 15.
Reports indicate that tension among the band members had been brewing since their reunion tour commenced in August after a 14-year hiatus. Previous concerts suggested Navarro had shown visible frustration with Farrell’s lengthy interactions with the audience. According to concert reviews, it was noted that Farrell consumed a bottle of red wine during the show’s proceedings.
The altercation was reportedly initiated during “Mountain Song,” when Farrell confronted Navarro, with arguments persisting through the following song “Three Days” before it peaked at “Ocean Size.”
Jane’s Addiction has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. However, Farrell’s wife, Etty, took to social media to provide context, highlighting ongoing tension between band members. She explained that Farrell had been struggling with tinnitus and felt his vocals were getting lost in the mix, contributing to his escalating frustrations.
Etty recounted that after the onstage incident, chaos ensued backstage with Avery and Farrell also clashing physically. She described Farrell as very agitated but eventually breaking down emotionally after the confrontation.
In response to the situation, musician Liam Gallagher commented on the conflict through social media, implying that such disputes were unbecoming.
Despite the turmoil, Jane’s Addiction’s tour is scheduled to continue on Sunday in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with plans to conclude on October 16 in Los Angeles. This tour marks a significant reunion for the band’s original lineup, which had not performed together for over a decade, especially following Navarro’s recent struggles with long Covid.