| Jane's Addiction. |
| 30/1/2003, The Metro, Melbourne. |
|
Now, I have made it a point in the past not to say "That was the best concert I've ever been to" about every concert - because it then lacks the power when you do really have to say it. A week ago, I was blown away by Jimmy Eat World. As I said in my review, top 5 concert material. Last night was something entirely different.
Jane's Addiction at The Metro was quite simply the greatest live music experience I have ever had. To quote Henry Rollins on Jane's Addiction (post band break up, pre reformation) "(a Jane's concert) was about as good as live music gets" and "one of the finest live bands there ever was". He wasn't joking. I know that this review might, at best, capture 1/1000th of the moment last night, but I'll try to do the best I can :) I rocked up to The Metro at about 9:30pm, managing to miss all of the support bands - not intentionally, just lost track of time at home prior to leaving. It was pretty good in any case, as Jane's took the stage at 10 on the dot. Like at the Big Day Out, they had pretty much the same stage setup, but as well as the kind of "see through" grey curtain/netting at the back, they also had a huge piece from roof to floor in front of the stage. On this, they projected lights which gave off a really cool effect during their opener (the majestic "Up The Beach"). You could see the band through it, but it gave a very surreal start to the show. The curtain then dropped on "Here We Go!" in "Stop!" to which the crowd yelled like I've never heard before. On the crowd, as you could imagine, it was pretty packed - and with BIG Jane's Addiction fans. You don't sell out the Metro with a band who hasn't released an official studio album in 12.5 years and with a ticket price of $85 unless they are going to be worth it, and the fans are dedicated. Honestly, the crowd "went off" more than I can ever recall in a concert - more energy than I can ever think of seeing before. A packed Metro screaming along to ""I am skin and bones, I am pointy nose... but it motherfucking makes me try" or "Wish I was Ocean Size" is an experience I'll never forget. And Perry Farrell commanding silence from the crowd right before the "Three! Four!" in "Ocean Size" - wow. Playing wise, the band was awesome. Dave Navarro is perhaps the greatest live guitarist I have seen (yes I am counting Vai, Slash, J Mascis, Trey Spruance and Dave Mustaine)- he was so on the money with his playing - note for note solo's when required, plenty of improv as well. Stephen Perkins drumming gave me a whole new level of appreciation (I always thought he was a great drummer, but last night he really lifted my opinion). And it didn't matter that it wasn't Eric Avery on bass - Chris Chaney (ex-Alanis Morissette) did an amazing job. And I thought Farrell was a lot more focussed than his efforts at the Big Day Out. His vocals weren't as all over the place - he was actually doing some impressive singing. And it was a more intimate experience than the BDO (obviously). The band really did command the room, and created some really excellent atmospheres. Other highlights - Navarro's guitar playing, Perry exotic dancing to the start of "Three Days", Navarro's guitar playing, Perry's talk about War and how "nobody's going to make us do what we don't motherfucking want to do", to "stand by your convictions", and to "be organised", Navarro's guitar playing, Stephen Perkin's incredible energy, the surprising heaviness of the middle section of "Three Days"... ahhh, there's too much to mention. From go to whoa it was stunning. Set list was as follows (they played from 10pm until around 11:40pm - inc. encores): * Up The Beach * Stop! * Had A Dad * Ain't No Right * Three Days * Summertime Rolls * New Song 1 * New Song 2 * Then She Did * Ocean Size --- * New Song 3 (instrumental) * Mountain Song * Ted Just Admit It * Jane Says --- * Pigs In Zen So a pretty good spread of songs. In conclusion - it was just an unforgettable experience. It felt like I was seeing this band at the height of their career, somewhere in L.A in the early 90's This is the concert that will remain as the benchmark for me, I would say for a very long time. Do anything to see this band. It will change your life for the better. |