SOLD OUT SHOW IN LA FEATURED OPENERS DAMNAGE AND LA WITCH

With a last minute invite, MMC* came out to Hollywood to celebrate the return of Jane’s Addiction (minus founding member and guitarist Dave Navarro due to illness) shuffle the room at the Palladium. Now looking back, the band shared top billing through multiple tours that I missed out on, so to catch them at a solo performance was the best way to experience them for the first time.

I received my pass at will call and walked in to local favorites LA Witch rocking the stage with an already packed house. This left little to no room for fans toward the back and was something I hadn't seen very much with all my times at the venue. This was the real definition of “sold out.” LA Witch concluded their noise rock set around 9:15PM which left me a few minutes to get through the audience to the photo pit where I shared space with around 15 other photographers. I waited toward the left of the pit where I was hoping to see substitute guitarist and ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers member Josh Klinghoffer shred. Needless to say, once the lights went out accompanied by ominous sounds, I was correct.

Drummer Stephen Perkins ran up to his drum set located on a grand pedestal while Klinghoffer stood in front of me and bassist Eric Avery grabbed his axe on the opposite end. Singer Perry Farrell had me starstruck, strutting around knowing he had the crowd already without having sang one word. The homecoming show began strong with Farrell wailing to debut album cuts “Up the Beach” and “Had a Dad.” Klinghoffer filled in for Navarro meticulously, holding onto notes and having experience from the Chili Peppers and recently Pearl Jam. The dark lighting with streaks of yellow illuminated the band for momentous silhouette shots, especially Klinghoffer who offset Farrell’s bedazzled jean jacket vest with an all black button-up.

Out of the pit, I journeyed around the venue to the VIP balcony where I watched Farrell dedicate a moment to a lost loved one while holding his signature bottle of wine. The band played fan favorites “Been Caught Stealing” and “Jane Says” while also performing new track which debuted just a few days earlier, “True Love.” It was a great sight to see the band in good spirits to say the least, playing the iconic venue as if it were the 90s. Check out the setlist here!