One of the great conundrums of this summer arrived sometime in the spring, when it was revealed that two massive tours were coming to Massachusetts on the very same day. That date, Tuesday, July 19, is fast-approaching, and indecision remains: Guns N’ Roses, armed with a classic lineup of Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan, bring their “Not In This Lifetime” tour to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro; and Jane’s Addiction, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ritual de lo Habitual, play Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston, supported by Dinosaur Jr. and Living Colour.
Since the tours were announced, Guns N’ Roses added a second Gillette show, for July 20, but at the time it appeared a decision needed to be made by those who live by the soundtrack of 1990.
This week, oddly, and purely coincidentally, Jane’s frontman Perry Farrell pitted his band against Guns N’ Roses, apparently without even being prompted.
In a pretty great Wall Street Journal piece about Farrell’s career, the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking Lollapalooza festival, and his initial approach to the mainstream, the musician and music innovator says:
“My wife said something to me very wise. From time to time, I get a little sad and say ‘Gosh, I wish we would have sold more records or had more radio airplay.’ And she said, ‘When you’re singing about menage a trois and heroin, you have a limited audience. What do you expect?’
My life is surrounded with great music, great people, who are in it for the right reasons. I have been able to sustain, regardless. We might not have sold as many records as Guns N’ Roses, but I’d say we’re every bit as great as Guns N’ Roses. Some might argue we’re even greater.”
So there you have it. The decision on what to do July 19 is purely your own.
Jane’s Addiction Sterling Spoon tour 2016
July 15: Brooklyn Coney Island Amphitheater, NY
July 16: Asbury Park Stone Pony Summerstage, NJ
July 17: Port Chester Capitol Theatre, NY
July 19: Boston Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, MA
July 20: Philadelphia The Fillmore, PA
July 22: Sterling Heights Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, MI
July 23: Cleveland Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica, OH
July 25: Indianapolis Murat Theatre, IN
July 27: Chicago Metro, IL
July 28: Chicago Metro, IL
July 30: Chicago Lollapalooza, IL
September 02: Denver Riot Fest, CO
September 23: Las Vegas Life Is Beautiful, NV
