Jane's Addiction, the Los Angeles rock band formed in 1985, has cut the remainder of its tour short following an altercation between frontman Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro. The controversy erupted during a performance in Boston on September 13, 2024, and has since drawn major backlash and disappointment.
Jane's Addiction announced the cancellation a few days later, on September 16, citing the need to take a break and tackle internal issues. They said in a statement on Instagram,
“The band have made the difficult decision to take some time away as a group. As such, they will be cancelling the remainder of the tour."
Jane's Addiction frontman Farrell apologizes to Navarro for his "inexcusable behavior"
Jane's Addiction came together after more than a decade for the tour, and when Farrell punched Navarro, it all came to a grinding halt. The kerfuffle was also captured on video. According to multiple witnesses, Farrell confronted Navarro over something during the show, thereby provoking him.
Soon, other band and crew members intervened to try and break up the fight as Farrell continued to elbow and punch Navarro. However, the fight eventually ended, and Farrell was escorted off the stage, after which Navarro and the other band members addressed and applauded the audience.
The next pit stop was going to be at Hartford Healthcare Amphitheatre in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Sunday, September 15. There is no news yet about subsequent shows across the US and Canada set to take place in the following months, but the band has promised all ticketholders a reimbursement.
In an Instagram story, the band announced their decision and expressed their apologies for the incident.
“We want to extend a heartfelt apology to our fans for the events that unfolded last night. As a result we will be cancelling tomorrow night’s show in Bridgeport."
Eric Avery, Stephen Perkins, and Navarro all signed off on an Instagram post on Navarro's account, which reads:
“Due to a continuing pattern of behaviour and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell, we have come to the conclusion that we have no choice but to discontinue the current US tour. Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative. We hope that he will find the help he needs.”
Navarro also noted that while they "deeply regret" the cancellation, there was no solution in sight where all of them could perform in a "safe environment." They added that their ability to deliver a "great performance on a nightly basis" was now impeded and expressed their regret over it.
Farrell chimed in to echo his bandmates' sentiments and to extend an apology to Navarro. He said to Billboard on Monday, September 16,
“This weekend has been incredibly difficult and after having the time and space to reflect, it is only right that I apologize to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday’s show. Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation.”
Etty Lau Farrell, wife of Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell chimes in
Farrell's wife, Etty Lau Farrell, chimed in to shed light on the situation in a statement on her Instagram account. Accompanying a clip of the incident was her version of the events:
“Clearly there had been a lot of tension and animosity between the members.. the magic that made the band so dynamic. (...) Perry got up in Dave’s face and body checked him. Perry’s frustration had been mounting, night after night, he felt that the stage volume had been extremely loud and his voice was being drowned out by the band. (...) But when the audience in the first row, started complaining up to Perry cussing at him that the band was planning too loud and that they couldn’t hear him, Perry lost it.”
She also answered the rhetorical "what was the aftermath," claiming that Dave "still looked handsome and cool in the middle of a fight." She dubbed Perry a "crazed beast" and revealed that in the end, he "did break down and cried and cried." In her answer to the question "who won the fight," she said, "Why, Eric Avery of course."
Those who purchased tickets for the now-canceled Bridgeport concert can be rest assured that their tickets will be refunded automatically at the point of purchase.
It is also advised to keep checking Jane's Addiction's official social media accounts for more updates on the same.
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