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Jane’s Addiction – Love and Rockets

Live at Gallagher Square at Petco Park

August 14, 2024 Review by Fatima Kelley

There is the old saying, “Double the pleasure, double the fun,” but it was a triple delight as Crawlers, Love and Rockets, and Jane’s Addiction delivered a mind-blowing, four-hour long experience of epic proportions in San Diego. The newly renovated Gallagher’s Square at Petco Park hosted an evening that opened up just the way I like it: loud and fierce!

Crawlers were a surprising explosion of energy that was both a pleasure to photograph, and a delight to listen to. While they were the least seasoned band in the lineup having only released one studio album, they are by no means newbies. In fact, they seemed more like veterans in their craft thanks to opening for My Chemical Romance, and festival appearances at The Great Escape, SXSW, and Reading & Leeds in their few years together.

Crawlers owned the stage like true pros, capturing the audience’s full attention thanks to Holly Minto’s vocal range and overall stage presence. Perfectly paired with deep bass lines, elusive guitar riffs, and an infectious rhythm section, Minto had us all mesmerized.

I wish I could find words large enough to capture my excitement for Love and Rockets. Still fresh off their 2023 glorious, and long overdue, return to the stage, I have been smiling thinking about this moment since the tour was announced.

The excitement of fans could be easily heard as each member appeared on the far side of the stage. Before they even took their spots, fans were shouting for their attention, and the shouts grew louder as each member arrived. Kevin Haskins’ drums were raised center stage, proudly sporting the band logo.

Bassist David J was perfectly suited up to our left. Front-man and guitarist Daniel Ash sported sunglasses, a sparkle suit, and his shiny, mirrored Telecaster to our right. Each member was almost spaced evenly, demanding our attention in unison and creating a visual representation of the harmony amongst them that has grown through decades of collaborations – a balance further echoed by every note played live.

Their effervescent sound came through, almost with a never-before-seen crispness, delivering a truly captivating set that was indeed “Off This Earth.”

They opened their set with “The Light,” which seemed like a perfect fit; an atmospheric, transcendent path leading us all slowly into their world. Its crescendo found the audience’s enthusiasm progress almost hand in beat so-to-speak, reaching an explosive peak with “Kundalini Express.”

The dizzying guitar riffs and steady humming bass lines were punctuated by bursts of tempestuous drum beats that can take ahold of you and move you along, willingly or not. The dancing continued through “No Big Deal,” then “The Dog-End of a Day Gone By” added a more melodic and intimate moment to their set, bringing fans back to their first release.

Fans were singing along, word by word with the increased intensity of the chorus guided by Haskins’ pure magic on drums. It was all amplified by fans shouting at the top of their lungs, “Stub out the dog-end of a day gone by, boy, Stub out the dog-end of a day gone by, boy, Don’t let the smoke get in your eyes.”

The crowd’s electrified energy stayed on a high note during “No New Tale to Tell” and “Haunted When the Minutes Drag,” which delivered more than eight minutes of pure auditory bliss. Its light and crystalline guitar riffs, syncopated drum beats, and a brilliantly moving bass line are so incredible. “An American Dream” provided an ethereal, dream-like sound that masterfully showcased the band’s ever changing styles.

The set continued to soar with “So Alive,” followed by their amazing cover of The Temptations’ classic tune, “Ball of Confusion.” “Mirror People” and “Yin and Yang (The Flower Pot Man)” ended their phenomenal, perfectly delivered – although way too short – set.

As for Jane’s Addiction, I hadn’t seen them live in well over a decade, and I wasn’t sure they could pull off something worthy of their legacy. But, they immediately put all my fears to rest and exceeded all of my expectations.

I am not sure if the original lineup was magically able to tap into the raw, gritty power that was eminent in their early years, or if the timeless relevance of their songs gave them a new, contemporary rebirthing of sorts, but this felt like Jane’s Addiction at its prime.

There was definitely a newly re-found chemistry on that stage; everyone seemed to be fully present and experiencing every second with joy and it drew us all to them. Plus, it is impossible not to feel a little star struck in their presence. Their fusion of funk, psychedelia, hard rock, and punk literally redefined what alternative rock was, and dictated what it was supposed to be. Tonight they showed us what an epic concert should feel like.

Although the band has had an extensive touring history, tonight’s show just felt extra special. The much-anticipated return of Eric Avery on bass brought back the original heartbeat, which somehow felt dimmed and restrained in previous tours. His thumping bass lines felt amplified by Stephen Perkins’ ferocious drums, and highlighted by Dave Navarro’s thrilling, metallic guitar riffs.

It was all further intensified by front-man Perry Farrell’s piercing vocals. Farrell offers a unique balance of raw power and vulnerability which results in a sweeping, emotional performance that captivates fans.

Farrell took us on a journey throughout the entire set, sharing his beautiful humanity, allowing listeners to go beyond hearing a song – he made you a part of the background story, allowing you to fully experience it.

With a curfew of 10 p.m., the band did an amazing job of navigating their vast catalog to craft a perfect setlist that personified their essence to the fullest. Each song was performed to perfection and embellished by a progressively emotional Farrell.

Throughout the night, he offered a much-welcomed commentary of the current social political situation, persistently calling for gender equality and a much-needed return to humanity and respect.

They opened their set with “Kettle Whistle,” whose almost tribal and somewhat spiritual opening felt deepened by the darkened stage light and Farrell’s soulful vocals. The progressive crescendo of the song seemed to reach perfection as Navarro’s layered riffs intensified drastically and again softened, creating an undulating musical dance.

It then intensified toward the end of the song with his triumphant, wailing solo which bled into “Whores.” A full explosion of trashy heaviness continued through “Pig’s in Zen” with its contagious bass line, the rhythm mind numbing. Farrell’s vocals were both raw and soulful, and Navarro’s riffs are a powerhouse that pulls you along its wild ride. “Ain’t No Right” followed accompanied by a crazy sing-along from the crowd.

A stripped-down, acoustic “Jane Says” was another great moment as it felt like a warm embrace to the soul. But it was “Three Days” that delivered a moment of realization of the band’s timeless and unmatched power.

The entire evening started off on a high note and it concluded on an even higher one. As the intro to “Stop!” began, the entire venue seemed to come alive. The shouting, stomping, and singing didn’t stop until the very last note on “Been Caught Stealing.” Sadly, it was time for the night to end and the house lights turned on.

Jane’s Addiction proved that you don’t need an extensive set, just a perfect delivery of one.

SHOW PHOTO GALLERY

by Fatima Kelley Photography

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