Jane's Addiction at The Brick, Minneapolis (03/19/12)

Tour Dates 03/21/12 Grand Rapids, MI at Devos Music Hall+ 03/23/12 Louisville, KY at Louisville Palace+ 03/24/12 Milwaukee, WI at Eagles Ballroom 04/07/12 Sao Paulo, BR at Lollapalooza Brazil 04/08/12 Sao Paulo, BR at Lollapalooza Brazil 04/10/12 Buenos Aires, Argentina* 04/13/12 Monterrey, Mexico 04/15/12 Mexico City, Mexico 05/04/12 Birmingham, AL Shaeffer 05/05/12 Memphis, TN at Beale Street Fest 05/25/12 Chillicothe, IL at Summer Camp Fest 05/26/12 Chillicothe, IL at Summer Camp Fest 05/27/12 Chillicothe, IL at Summer Camp Fest 05/07/12 San Antonio, TX at Lila C Cockrell 05/09/12 Houston, TX at Verizon WIreless 05/10/12 Dallas, TX at McFarlin Memorial* 05/12/12 Austin, TX at Bass Concert Hall 05/15/12 Lake Buena Vista, FL at HOB* 05/16/12 Jacksonville, FL at Florida Theatre 05/18/12 Miami Beach, FL at Fillmore 05/19/12 Clearwater, FL at Ruth Eckerd Hall* 05/22/12 Raleigh, NC at Memorial Auditorium 05/23/12 Charlotte, NC at Ovens Auditorium 05/25/12 Knoxville, TN at Tennessee Theatre 05/29/12 Denver, CO at Fillmore Auditorium 05/30/12 Albuquerque, NM at Kiva Auditorium 05/31/12 Tucson, AZ at Tucson Music Hall 07/13/12 Cincinnati, OH at Bunbury Festival *Set list for these shows is the same; however, show presentation may be slightly different due to logistical reasons with these venues, as these shows are not in theatres. + with Black Box Revelation Read More Jane's Addiction I will report back on how the Brick "stacks" up to its other competitors like the Epic and First Avenue when I see Jane's Addiction and BBR.

Last night was the grand opening for Minneapolis' new concert venue, The Brick. Who better to cut the ribbon than Jane's Addiction, as they played to a sold-out show?

Since this is the first real show for The Brick, I'm going to talk about the venue, as much as the bands. There were a few hiccups in how the venue operated. First of all, there was a lot of staff, most of them knew as much as you did when it comes to venue questions (like where is the bathroom). Second, they patted everyone at the door and took too long to let people in. I was standing in line that went around the block, and we started moving at 8:30 (when Black Box Revelation started their set!).

I later found out when I entered that there was really only one way to get in the venue, a stair that lead to the main dancefloor. There is also a bottom bar room (which you cannot view the concert) and an upstairs area that is impossible to view the show unless you're right against the railing.

The venue, itself, wasn't as large as I thought. They said it can house 3200+ (* see update), but I figure less than half of that can view the stage with comfort. It is a long rectangle stretch that reminds me of The Fine Line Café's layout, but similar to the old Quest (now named Epic). Although it was advertised as sold-out, I felt that it really wasn't, considering that you can stand around without being crushed.

Black Box Revelation

Opening up for them is Black Box Revelation, a band that we like. Because of the tight security and standing in line, I had missed the first three BBR songs. I did remember them playing "I Think I Like You" and "My Perception" near the end of their set. It kind of made me mad that there were still people standing in line outside, because they couldn't let people in fast enough, while BBR was playing.

I didn't really think BBR's music mesh well with Jane's Addiction, and talking to the fans around me, they would agree. They also didn't know the duo on stage, so I suggest bringing along a big banner with the band's name on it next time? I would later spot the two (Jan and Dries) standing by the side of the stage, watching Perry Farrell worked the audience.

The audience for Jane's Addiction was older, as you would expect for a band that's been around since 1985. As you can see from the setlist, they did the hit songs, and only a couple of new ones from 2011's The Great Escape Artist ("Twisted Tales", "Words Right Out of My Mouth", etc). Not shown on the setlist is their first song, "Underground".

Dave Navarro and Perry Farrell both look in great shape. Farrell often jumps into the audience and Navarro lit up a few cigarettes. I got the impression that Farrell really love his fans, he kept trying to defend his fans, "let them enjoy the show" when the staff was asking them to leave a certain area upstairs* (see update).

Although I knew their big hit songs, "Been Caught Stealing" and "Stop!", and knew about Perry Farrell's character (especially as the man behind Lollapalooza and Porno for Pyros), I just wasn't prepared for this weird burlesque show. I was at a viewing angle that I could only watch the dancers or the band, but not watch both at the same time. This made it hard to choose, because both were entertaining to watch.

For the dancers/backup singers: best part is the ninja birdman, weirdest part was the baby doll-head-bashing thing (what was that about?)

For Jane's Addiction: Best part was their encore, "Jane Says". They did not do a double-song encore, just the one.

Leaving the Brick took just as long as getting in, as we slowly walk through a narrow hallway. The guy next to me said it was like boarding an airplane, only much slower. I would later find out that you can also exit where we entered, which had a wider front door.

Anyway, since this is not normally the type of concerts I attend, I would have to say that it's an experience. I think if you're already familiar with Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro's various work, you'll feel right at home. Jane's Addiction broke up a few time, but they are back now, and currently on a world tour. Their new album, The Great Escape Artist, is out now.

Jane's Addiction at The Brick, Minneapolis (03/19/12)

UPDATE 03/21/2012: Since this review was written, there has been a huge backlash on the concert venue. No one was happy about the venue. According to Fox news (see video), officially the venue can hold 2,001 and the count of people at Jane's Addiction's show was 1,400. The reason why Farrell was upset was that people were trying to view the concert by lifting the curtains, via youtube.com: "Don't listen to him, don't worry about it! Don't f**** listen to him. Hey! Hey! Mister with the flashlight, hold that f***** thing open. Take that thing down, be careful you might have a riot on your hands. Open up that s***, let them watch the show, what the f***. Just twist it off, however that f***** thing comes off. Twist it off".


PS, I wasn't exactly sure where to put this in, but before Jane's Addiction came on stage, the male dancer with the fake mustache and hat came to the front and put chains on young girls to take back stage. I thought it some naughty things happening, but when the girls came back, one of the girl, Meg, tells me that they played a private two-song concert for them backstage. Not acoustic or anything, but fully plugged in.

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