Jane’s Addiction @ UPROAR Festival / Klipsch Music Center — Indianapolis on August 23rd, 2013
Trailing after Coheed and Cambria’s performance, Jane’s Addiction took to the stage as Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” played overhead. Members of the audience stood to enjoy the show as the band started off with the seductively transitional “Underground.” Following along with the lyrics “you’re a hustler,” scantily clad women ascended by trapeze for a visual performance on stage – something very characteristic of any Jane’s Addiction concert. The women moved slowly and sensually with the music in a display reminiscent of Blind Mag from cult classic film Repo! The Genetic Opera. Behind them was the scenery of the stage, including statuesque naked women and screens that flashed short video clips and images.
Throughout the night, it was clear that Perry Farrell was being fueled by more than just Rockstar energy drinks. He awkwardly danced and fumbled his way across the stage, making quick and jerky movements as he walked. Upon reaching the drumset during “Another Soulmate,” Farrell even… Twerked, for lack of a better term. Despite Farrell’s questionable state of mind, the crowd didn’t seem to mind at all, and he still put on a terrific vocal performance. The real star of the show, however, was guitarist Dave Navarro, who commanded the stage with squealing guitar solos, sensual movements, and a collected face of indifference and eyeliner. He particularly shone during songs like “Been Caught Stealing,” in which he navigated both sides of the stage and effortlessly slid up and down the neck of his guitar to play those famous riffs. Navarro also reminded everyone of his tragic allergy to shirts of any kind. Women all across the venue swooned.
Jane’s Addiction played a number of classics during their set, including “Been Caught Stealing” and “Stop,” both of which got the crowd going and energized the night. After finishing “Stop,” the members of the band left the stage for a brief intermission. The crowd stood still and waited, until finally the dim blue headlights focused in on Dave Navarro re-emerging with an acoustic guitar, the rest of the band following shortly after. Drummer Stephen Perkins took to the steel drums, and they closed out the night with “Jane Says.” After several choruses of wavering lighters in the audience, the band took their final bows and exited the stage.