Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at Santa Barbara Bowl

It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen Nine Inch Nails (this was number 19), I’m always left speechless at the end of their shows. It’s more than just a band playing a show to me. There is so much more to it and the level at which Trent and Company perform at is astounding. Plus seeing them at the Santa Barbara Bowl makes it a little more special as that venue has it’s own cool, mystic vibe with it being tucked away in the hill and the sound there is just incredible.

The night was perfect for this show. The cool night air coming off the pacific was coming in creating this very distinct atmosphere that was shaping up for something to explode, and that it did. As the clock struck 8:15 pm the rumble began and out came Mr. Self Destruct right out of the gate like they just released the bulls in the streets of Spain. Then the assault kept coming as “Wish,” “Last,” and “March Of The Pigs” utterly destroyed and decimated the audience. Then came “Piggy” which has always been a live favorite of mine. There was something about this version of “Piggy” that hit a bit harder than usual. Perhaps it’s all the things going on with me but, I keep having “Nothing Can Stop Me Now” repeating in my head as a mantra and I hope that doesn’t go away.” Then Trent moved along to “The Lovers” a track off their EP, Add Violence that hits so well live. It’s a song with tinges of the Pretty Hate Machine era mixed with a bit of a Fragile vibe. Next up is where I’m pretty sure I lost my voice as The Frail/The Wretched were played. I apologize to the guy next to me but, something came over me and I was in another place while screaming my lungs out during that song. And it didn’t help my voice much after that song as NIN charged into one of my favorites from The Downward Spiral, “Reptile.” After that there was a bit of break with the inclusion of a really great live version of “God Break Down The Door” and “Copy Of A.” The one song I could have done without and gave me a break was “Closer.” Then a quick talk with the audience with Trent saying “now how bout we play a sad song” and then they broke out “This Isn’t The Place” which is one of my favorite newer songs. It’s such a beautiful song that really hits you in the feels. Listen to it and you’ll hear it. Then another eruption happened with “Heresy” and right into one of my top 5 NIN songs of all time “The Perfect Drug.” As the night was winding down we got a very rocking (almost extended) version of David Bowie’s “I’m Afraid Of Americans,” a heavy hard charging “Gave Up” into the closing staples of “The Hand That Feeds” and “Head Like A Hole.” For the encore, I couldn’t have been more elated to have “Even Deeper” be part of it. I love that song. Finally, the end came and “Hurt” closed it out.

I’ve seen now seen Nine Inch Nails 19 times and each of them have been their own experience. It’s truly something remarkable to have seen a band this many times in the 22 years since the first time, and still walk out of the show like it’s something fresh and new. Trent Reznor never disappoints. The songs are classic and timeless. On a performance level, to be able to go out there and still give it everything they have each night, on top of the intricate lights, and other behind the scenes work, makes each Nine Inch Nails tour and show special. I will go every chance I get to see this band. Thank you Nine Inch Nails for all the years of amazingness! I will see you again very soon!

Review and Photos: Brian Lacy

PHOTOS: NINE INCH NAILS- Live at the Santa Barbara Bowl

SET LIST:

01) Mr. Self Destruct
02) Wish
03) Last
04) March Of The Pigs
05) Piggy
06) The Lovers
07) The Frail
08) The Wretched
09) Reptile
10) God Break Down The Door
11) Copy Of A
12) Closer (with The Only Time breakdown)
13) This Isn’t The Place
14) Heresy
15) The Perfect Drug
16) I’m Afraid Of Americans (David Bowie Cover)
17) Gave Up
18) The Hand That Feeds
19) Head Like A Hole

Encore:
20) Even Deeper
21) Hurt

Memorable Live Performances: Nine Inch Nails at The Wiltern 2009

Back in 2009, Nine Inch Nails announced a series of shows to sort of say goodbye for the time being. It was a very bittersweet thing to hear but, as a fan for many many many years, it made sense. Before the shows were announced, Nine Inch Nails spent the summer on the road with Jane’s Addiction (with all the original members). That was origianlly supposed to be the end but, seeing as Nine Inch Nails would be playing at different times and under the backdrop of a sunset many a times, it just didn’t feel quite right for that to be the end. Instead, a series of shows were announced in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to attend 3 of the 4 Los Angeles shows. The final one was at The Wiltern and what a show it was. Over 3 hours (yes, THREE HOURS) of nonstop Nine Inch Nails at it’s absolute finest. The setlist was utterly perfect and beyond emotional. Thankfully too, there were a group of fans in the audience that night filming it all and they put together one of the best live shows I’ve ever been to. Without giving anything away, I highly recommend you taking the time to watch/listen to this show!

Nine Inch Nails- Live At The Wiltern:

Best Guitar Solos: Nine Inch Nails- Ruiner

When you think of guitar solos, Nine Inch Nails is probably not very high on the first ones that come to mind. That is about to change though. On the epic masterpiece of an album that is The Downward Spiral, there is a song on there that has a guitar solo that oozes the pain and anguish that perfectly coincides with the thematic nature of the record. That song is “Ruiner” and it’s one of the most underrated songs on the album. The solo on the song is actually inspired by Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” Trent was interviewed by Guitar World magazine years ago and this is what he had to say about the solo, “Ah yes, the great, Pink Floyd-esque, Seventies-sounding section of the song. That’s just a preset on the Zoom. I think I accidentally called up the wrong patch. I’m not a soloist. I was just laughing when I was playing with this ridiculous sound, recording into the computer saying like, “This is so cheesy,” you know? I later realized that I basically tried to play a “Comfortably Numb”-type solo with this sound. I played the song for Chris, our drummer, and I was thinking, “He’s going to start laughing. It’s silly.” But he goes, “Man, that guitar section was fucking great.” Anyways, this solo when “Ruiner” is played live is stunning.

Nine Inch Nails- Ruiner:

Nine Inch Nails- Ruiner (Live at The Wiltern 2009- FINAL Wave Goodbye Show):

Instrumental Songs: Nine Inch Nails- Just Like You Imagined

I will never forget the first time I listened to Nine Inch Nails album The Fragile the whole way through. There was something so special about that album. I could and will go into more detail about that album at some point down the road. One of the immediate songs that hit me like a ton of bricks was track number 7 on Disc 1 (or the left side), “Just Like You Imagined.” This instrumental track blew me away. It’s a total encompassing of everything that makes The Fragile so great. The song on the studio recording features David Bowie’s longtime pianist, Michael Garson, who adds some beautiful moments. Live, this song is even better. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing it live a few times and each one of those I was totally in awe at how amazing the song truly is.

Nine Inch Nails- Just Like You Imagined:

Just Like You Imagined (Rehearsal):

Memorable Live Shows: Nine Inch Nails at Woodstock 94

Since there is a plethora of live performances all over the internet, why not start featuring some of the most memorable ones. And what better place to start than with the now legendary performance Nine Inch Nails put on at Woodstock 94. The story of this one is absolutely nuts. One that you should really look into. Their “mud soaked” set is infamous and so damn good. The setlist is truly something awesome as well. It’s one of those shows that I can watch and listen to all the time.

 

Nine Inch Nails- Woodstock 94:

 

Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at The Palladium

When a band as big as Nine Inch Nails opts to play small venues and do multiple nights, you know that it’s going to be special. Back in 2009, I was lucky to get to go to a few of the Wave Goodbye shows Nine Inch Nails did in Los Angeles. I was able to go to the Wiltern, Fonda and Palladium shows. Each of those nights have always stood out in my concert going history. The Palladium show that evening was special as The Downward Spiral was played in its entirety. Last night didn’t have that happen but it was one of those shows that rank pretty high in my now 18 times seeing Nine Inch Nails.

Memorable TV Performances: Nine Inch Nails on the 1999 VMA’s

Back in 1999, Nine Inch Nails performed on the MTV Video Music Awards. It was pretty unexpected, especially since NIN never performed on TV. Quick Side Note, It wouldn’t happen again until 2013 when Trent and company performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Which actually is the first time the band has ever performed on a late night talk show. The performance of “The Fragile” on the VMA’s was something hauntingly beautiful,  dark and one of the best VMA performances. Plus it featured my all time favorite line up Nine Inch Nails has ever had.

 

Nine Inch Nails- The Fragile on the 1999 MTV VMA’s:

Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at The Joint

There are certain bands that I will always go see no matter how many times I’ve seen them live. Nine Inch Nails is atop that list and I’ve now seen them 17 times. Each time has been it’s own experience which makes all the shows that much more unique. This past weekend I had the pleasure to see my favorite band at The Joint in Las Vegas and it was just as epic as you would think it was. Trent and company would be performing on 3 different dates and I was lucky enough to be at 2 of the 3. I have to say I’m pretty sure I was at the best shows of the weekend.

Ultimate Set List: Nine Inch Nails

This is probably the most difficult Ultimate Set List I’ve made yet. I think I’ve made about 15 different versions of this set list. I usually give myself only 25 songs to make these Ultimate Set Lists but, for this one I had to go to 30 songs. It was seriously impossible to make it 25 songs. I actually could have made it longer too (I have one version that is 50 songs). Picking the songs wasn’t just the hardest part either, because there have been so many great players in Trent’s live band, picking those individuals was rather difficult too. Anyhow, here is my Ultimate Set List for Nine Inch Nails. What would be on yours?

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)

 

Lineup: Trent Reznor, Danny Lohner, Jerome Dillon, Charlie Clouser, Robin Finck, (Yes I picked The Fragile era lineup)
Venue: The Fonda Theater (Saw NIN there during their Wave Goodbye tour and it was amazing)

Set List:
01) Head Like A Hole
02) Mr. Self Destruct
03) Getting Smaller
04) Into The Void
05) Head Down
06) The Day The World Went Away
07) The Idea Of You
08) You Know What You Are
09) The Frail
10) The Wretched
11) Eraser
12) Last
13) Survivalism
14) Copy Of A
15) Less Than
16) Various Methods Of Escape
17) And All That Could Have Been
18 ) A Warm Place
19) We’re In This Together
20) Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
21) March Of The Pigs
22) The Hand That Feeds
23) Gave Up
24) The Perfect Drug
25) Reptile
26) Sin
27) Just Like You Imagined
28) Somewhat Damaged
29) The Fragile
30) In This Twilight