Flea Fits Live Debuts Into Opening Show Of 1st Solo Tour In Chicago

Flea launched the tour around his debut full-length solo album, Honora, on Thursday. The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist delivered several live debuts from the record on opening night at Thalia Hall in Chicago.

Honora arrived on March 27 via Nonesuch Records. The LP, a mix of originals and covers, sees Flea returning to his love of jazz as well as his first instrument, the trumpet. A recent Tonight Show performance saw the musician playing both bass and trumpet.

Flea and his Honora Band — saxophonist/keyboardist Josh Johnson, Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss and drummer Deantoni Parks – launched the tour in Chicago with a non-album track titled “Good Night Darius” before offering the live debut of Honora single “Traffic Lights,” which featured Thom Yorke on the record.

The concert also saw the live debuts of “Frailed,” “Morning Cry,” “Golden Wingship,” “A Plea” and “Free as I Want to Be.” All told, Flea performed nearly every track off Honora, including the covers of “Maggot Brain” (Funkadelic), “Thinkin Bout You” (Frank Ocean) and “Wichita Lineman” (Jimmy Webb).

Flea wrapped the concert with “Lovelovelove,” a cut off his 2012 solo EP, Helen Burns. Check out videos from the bassist’s tour launch below: