A short post....

My thoughts on the Nine Inch Nails Concert in a few words...

Nine inch nails have been known for their anti establishment attitudes, heavily industrialized rock and the one man show that is Trent Reznor. Having just released “The Slip” for free for download (much like Radiohead with “In Rainbows”) Reznor and crew have once again shown the world that they are still as rocking as they were 20 years ago. Their newest album also comes with a brand new tour, known as “Lights in the Sky”, which came to Charlottesville on November 5 with the intention of putting on not only a heavy rock concert, but an intense visual experience. And with this, Trent Reznor succeeded in spades.
Arriving at the concert was a disappointment to some extent, having been late anyways ( we missed the opening act HEALTH) the arena appeared to be somewhat empty for what seemed to be a pretty high profile band. Supposedly the doors opened up at seven, we had arrived at 8:30, and still there was no Nine inch Nails, instead the air was filled with people discussing what they thought the first song would be, if the concert would even be any good, and a odd rumor was spreading through the stands that they were a no show due to the low turnout. All at once the lights cut, the stage filled with light and the band took the stage already rocking out 999,999 from their latest CD. What seemed like in an instant, the arena filled with fans all excited that finally the show had started.
The show started off heavy, loud, and in your face awesome. After five songs off their newest album, the beginning set ended with “Head Down” to cement the fact that Nine Inch Nails was here to play what their fans wanted, but what would happen throughout the rest of the show would take the concert to a new level.
So I think you understand that the music was good, but what is it that made this concert so special? In an interview I read from the New York Times,
“What I’m trying to do is use the stage as an interactive instrument,” Mr. Reznor said. “I’m in the world of science fiction now.” (New York Times)
Let me tell yah, what the stage and lighting crew did with the stage was as good, if not better, than the music itself. By using three massive screens made up of tiny lights, the band was able to produce images around, on top of and over the band. The screens could be layered to produce different effects on the band while the played and even could be interacted with by the musicians as they moved closer or father from the screens. Many of the effects were the result of smoke and careful timing, but still shocking either way. Possibly the coolest display is when the screens surrounded the band in a box and on each screen rain poured down. The resulting effect was the band playing in a box of rain, and let me tell you, you have to see it to fully comprehend the awesomeness of a giant cube of rain.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Nine Inch Nails, the concert was an experience that I feel many could enjoy. The set list was so well done with old hits such a “Head Like a Hole” and many from the excellent “With Teeth” album , and they were each played with enough style to separate them from their recorded counterparts. The band didn’t interact with the crowd to much, with brief mention to Obama’s victory and how one of Reznor’s lyrical inspirations (that being the Government) was now not a problem, not that it was necessary because the show spoke for itself, no need for little stories about the songs or silly transition jokes. Without a doubt, the concert was one of the best I have ever seen, and having seen quite a number of them (Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Van Halen, Train, and Smashing Pumpkins to name a few), I can safely say that there is no show like a Nine Inch Nails concert. If you ever get an opportunity to score tickets to a NIN show, do yourself a favor and go see them. Trust me, you will have never seen anything like it.