Words and Photos: Louie Galvez
https://www.instagram.com/mata.ni.louie/
Wednesday, September 11, marked a historic night as the legendary alternative music band, Jane’s Addiction, reunited on The Rooftop of Pier 17 in New York City. After a 14-year hiatus, all original members—Perry, Dave, Eric, and Stephen—took the stage for this momentous occasion. Capturing this event through photography was a dream come true, fulfilling a long-held inspiration on my bucket list.
My introduction to their music came during my high school years, thanks to my brother, and now, after three decades, I not only had the chance to see them live but also to photograph Perry and the entire band.
Opening Acts: Crawlers and Love & Rockets
The stage was set for the main event by two incredible opening acts. Crawlers, a talented rock band from Warrington, England, delivered a fantastic performance that perfectly complemented Love & Rockets. Their lead vocalist, Holly, infused the performance with remarkable energy.
Following a lengthy thirty-minute intermission, Love & Rockets graced the stage in New York City. Formed from the remnants of Bauhaus in the mid-Eighties, Love and Rockets arguably achieved greater success than their predecessor, and the fans gathered on the rooftop of Pier 17 were eager to relive memories with the band. With their signature moody and intense sound, Love and Rockets delivered a balanced showcase of their musical journey, captivating everyone in attendance.
The Main Event: Jane’s Addiction
The atmosphere was perfectly established by both Crawlers and Love & Rockets, setting the stage for the evening’s main event.
Jane’s Addiction opened with “Kettle Whistle,” an electrifying initiation as Dave struck the guitar strings and Eric joined in. The band’s sound was pristine and resonant, making it a challenge to capture in photographs due to the overwhelming emotions. When Perry emerged on stage with a bottle of wine, taking a sip in front of the audience, it felt dramatically poetic—an expression of revelry on their second night at the rooftop venue. The place was sold out, brimming with fans my age.
After performing “Summertime Rolls,” it was clear that they remain an extraordinary band, continually raising the bar with time. Dave and Eric picked up acoustic guitars and strummed the strings for “Jane Says.” Words elude me to describe the perfection of that moment; it was simply sublime. However, I couldn’t help but wonder why Perry sounded as if he were intoxicated. Perry voiced his frustration regarding noticeable vocal challenges during the band’s initial performance in New York, admitting: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have to be honest with you. Something’s wrong with my voice. I just can’t get the notes out all of a sudden.” But Dave, Eric, and Stephen were on fire, delivering an outstanding performance, they exchanged grim glances that suggested frustration.
Perry struggled to complete songs, often appearing disinterested in singing at all. When he did sing, he relied heavily on the reverb machine, distorting the essence of the songs. He also seemed to have difficulty maintaining his balance. It was disheartening. We had anticipated this show for so long, and it was disappointing to witness Perry unable to deliver. But I remained at the venue until the conclusion of the show, as I wanted to experience the entirety of the concert.
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