Crawlers, Love & Rockets, and Jane’s Addiction Come Down The Mountain At The Moist MidFlorida Amp in Tampa

Midflorida Amphitheater, Tampa, FL 29AUG2024

Catching bands who haven’t toured together in some time can be hit-and-miss these days. Jane’s Addiction has not been on tour with their original lineup in 14 years, and Love & Rockets have only had one month-long tour in 16 years.

Despite this time away from the stage, they haven’t lost a step. Joined by Liverpool, UK’s own Crawlers, the Amp was surprisingly empty, and oppressively humid as Crawlers took the stage.

Despite being formed in 2018, Crawlers is a band with talent and a vibe far beyond their years. Fronted by Holly Minto, Amy Woodall on guitar, and Liv May on bass, these bad-ass women started their band after meeting at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Adding Harry Breen on drums, their sound is like soon-returning Oasis, Amy Winehouse (RIP), and Alanis Morisette had a powerful, beautiful, bastard child.

Sometimes deep and brooding, sometimes overtly sexual, there are no apologies in their set. Playing the TikTok viral hit “Come Over (Again)” got one of the biggest pops from the crowd that was slowly filling in. “F*ck Me (I Didn’t Know How To Say),” “I Don’t Want It,” and “Messiah” got some loud reactions as well.

With the buzz increasing as they played, they easily won them over and turned many into Crawlies (their nickname for the fans). The crowd work from these ladies made many pay attention and disconnect from social media and texting friends.

Playing like they were back performing a headlining gig back in the UK, they know they are stars and aren’t afraid to show it. They are a tough act to follow.

Mid-card is always an interesting position to have on a tour. Then again Love and Rockets is an interesting band. With Daniel Ash carrying the singing duties and playing guitar/bass, David J on bass and backing vocals, and Kevin Haskins on drums, the trio has carved out an eclectic niche for themselves over the years.

A story full of love, loss, pain, and split-ups, no matter how much time has passed they keep coming back together.

First reuniting in 2023 after not performing together in 15 years, the success of their Cruel World appearance was enough to launch them back on a small tour. As a result of that, they now hopped on this tour. Done seemingly in part as a nod to their openness to taking Jane’s Addiction on tour in 1987 to support their debut album, it’s great to see the process come full circle.

With an 11-song setlist, they took the stage with a soft introduction of “The Light,” and rolled right into “Kundalini Express.”

“No Big Deal” was a bit of a tempo shift as the venue was now fully void of daylight, and their red and blue backlights shone brighter than the first two songs.

Strumming through “Haunted When the Minutes Drag,” and “An American Dream,” they shockingly played their biggest hits “So Alive,” and a cover of The Temptations “Ball of Confusion” back-to-back.

Ending on “Yin and Yang (The Flowerpot Man),” the trio were precise in their setlist choices for this tour, and it shows just how damn impressive their catalog is.

Jane’s Addiction came out back in 1985 from frontman Perry Farrell and bassist Eric Avery. Quickly adding drummer Stephen Perkins and guitarist Dave Navarro, the foursome hit the ground running, and quickly made their mark on LA music.

With a sound unlike anything else on the scene at the time, they changed things quickly. Forming the deep relationships that still run through the band, their chemistry is evident on stage. While nobody would say they were “bad” with the other members they’ve had, it ain’t nothing like the real thing baby.

Entering the stage with lighting similar to L&R, it seemed fitting that they opened the night with “Kettle Whistle.” The title track to their first reunion record, it also described the audience as the lights slowly engulfed the stage. Sharp whistles and screams came from the crowd, and the humidity rose to nearly steam-producing levels.

With no pyro or huge light show, they kept it low-key and lit a simple backdrop in addition to the already in-use lights. It was a far departure from their 1991 breakup tour at Lollapalooza, and yet that intimate feel was perfect for their crowd.

As “Whores” and “Pigs in Zen” rounded out the first three songs, they made a terrific decision in holding off “Jane Says” to song seven of their 14-song set. Going from the photo pit to the office to properly store a camera usually means you miss songs four and five, even if the singer talks to the audience frequently.

By holding out, I got a chance to enjoy it in all its glory, and it was great, so thank you!!! While Perry’s vocals were slightly off for the first song, they got him on the money in short order. Navarro seemed less than thrilled with his monitors at times, but given the humidity of an August night in Tampa it’s to be expected.

Hitting up “Mountain Song,” “Stop!,” “Ocean Size,” and “Imminent Reception,” while ending on “Been Caught Stealing,” they shockingly skipped over “Just Because.” One of the ultimate comeback songs it was featured extensively in movies and clips, so missing it on tour was a bit of a disappointment.

Given the fact that it was recorded with someone else on bass, they may have omitted it as a matter of respect. Still, it’s somewhat like if KISS skipped out on “Lick it Up” during their reunion tours; you walk away happy but still feel like you missed a moment.

With 19 dates left on the tour, setlists can change and things can happen, so get your tickets and drop hints on social media. Just make sure you show up for the openers. Just like fans did with Jane’s Addiction and Love & Rockets in the 1980s, you’ll be thrilled you got to see Crawlers before they start headlining area tours.