Trent Reznor’s first post-NIN offering will be with his new band How To Destroy Angels, which features his wife Mariqueen Maandig and long-time programmer Atticus Ross. Judging from the first set of press photos, the band will feature Maandig and hopefully allow Ross to offer his talents (see Error). The first single from the upcoming EP to be release this summer is the Fragile/Still-esque “A Drowning.” Download the track here or stream it below:
It was another full year of remarkable live shows in 2009, which was also not immune to a few train wrecks (Enon, Dan Deacon). Whether it was a cold and rainy night in Philly to see White Lies overcome a historically shitty venue to play a show for the ages or a late night train ride to the East Village to see Karin Dreijer Andersson’s Fever Ray outfit put on a visually stunning performance, this past year reinforced our music fandom. Here’s a list of our favorite shows of 2009:
Least Favorite:
Trent’s farewell tour just got a bit more interesting and perhaps more fitting. After attending the NIN/JA show in at PNC in NJ, I was left disappointed. As the last note of “Hurt” was played, the writhing hard-hitting NIN that that I had seen more than ten times live seemed to have ended with a whimper, destroying my dream of hearing “Heresy” played live.
Now Trent seems to have agreed (citing short sets and large outdoor venues in daylight as not the way to go out). The announcement came today via Twitter, thanks to Trent’s recent return to the digital world. But just as he announced it, the servers crashed, delaying the official NIN.com announcement while they patched them up for some 45 minutes. Dates have yet to be announced.
Full Post from nin.com below:
Getting right to the point, we’re going to play a handful of shows in NYC, Chicago and LA starting August 22nd. They will be informal affairs in medium to small venues with longer set-lists, possible special guests, cool openers and other surprises. Upon reflection, the NIN/JA tour felt like we had to rush through sets due to a limited allotted set length and many shows were in daylight – it just didn’t feel right to end NIN that way. An offer to headline V-Fest in Toronto (being announced soon) set the idea in motion to play some FUN shows to end this up with. If we can get it together we’ll film these shows, too
In NYC we’ll be playing Bowery Ballroom, Webster Hall and Terminal 5. In Chicago, the Aragon Ballroom. In LA we’ll be at The Wiltern, The Henry Fonda, The Palladium and The Echoplex. These should be cool, unusual and unique shows and I hope you come out – this is it.
So far, The Horrors will be joining us for some shows in NYC, Mew will be with us at other shows in NYC, Chicago and LA, and perhaps more.
Details and ticket info will be announced shortly, so check back.”Thanks,
Trent
Redemption awaits…
Let me start off by saying that the show itself was amazing. I have never seen Trent Reznor happier and more into his performance. Trent was drenched in sweat only minutes after walking out to “Pinion,” and he did not let up for one second over the next two hours. The setlist was amazing, and the band played a good mix of new and old. In sharp contrast to their complex light show and set design of the current arena tour, this stripped down “instrument only” gig was just as impressive.
The first time I saw Trent and company was in support of The Downward Spiral, and I have yet to miss a tour since. NIN’s performance at the Wachovia Center earlier this year set the new standard for stadium shows. Trent has also set the standard for opening acts (his choices are close to being unreal). Over the past few years Trent has given the slot to so many great artists including, QOTSA, TV On The Radio, Dresden Dolls, Autolux, Crystal Castles, and Bauhaus. For this current leg of the tour alone, he chose HEALTH, Deerhunter, Boris and The Bug. HEALTH was the band for this night. After picking up their remix record “Disco,” which featured the superb Crystal Castles remix of “Crimewave,” I was led to their self-titled debut album (think The Dillenger Escape Plan meets Battles). The few YouTube vids showed an intense show that really got me fired up for their opening set.
If someone were to tell me that I would see NIN in an intimate club show (where they will play a 2 hour non-
stop set), and I would walk away with an ounce of disappointment, I would refuse to believe it. One of the most anticipated shows of the year was somewhat of a disappointment because of the obnoxious crowd. Opening band HEALTH provided an awe-inspiring set of noise-rock, highlighted by a crystal clear mix. This left me thinking: “how can Trent top this?” My mood was instantly turned to anger as several members of the audience began heckling and booing the band. I walked over to one heckler and exclaimed that if he thought he could do better than he should go up on stage. Unfortunately, silencing one could not quiet the others. I had much higher expectations for an intimate show of this kind. I had hoped for a hardcore audience of fans, but instead got a crowd filled with testosterone and bad taste. (Luckily, I had tickets for Deerhunter in Brooklyn for the following night which renewed my hope that there are still young people out there with an open mind and good taste).
After “Survivalism” Trent told the audience that “We have a special surprise for you.” What was to follow was indeed the highlight of the evening. Peter Murphy walked on stage to a rousing applause. After a short wave to the audience, the band went into “Reptile.” Trent played guitar while lingering in the shadows at the back of the stage, giving Murphy the spotlight. Murphy’s deep voice fit the song perfectly and energized the crowd. Trent returned to the front for the chorus of the song. With Trent’s playing guitar, Murphy even held the mic for Trent, as he added his “beautiful liar” and ”precious whore” mantras.
After a crowd pleasing rendition of “Closer,” Trent mentioned that the “super fans” had been giving him shit for “fucking up the words” for closer. He then confidently tossed the mic to a group of fans in the front row. who finished the speaking part of the song, “Through every forest, above the trees…” In true Reznor form, he then went into “Discipline,” where he sang the entire part as part of that song mixed in with the usual lyrics.
About an an hour and fifteen minutes through the show I was ready for Trent and co. to leave the stage for a much solicited encore. Instead, Trent told the audience that they had a “shitload of songs left to play” for us. By that point, I had already left the tough-guy pit and wandered to the back of the venue to watch the show. From there I caught great performances of “The Line Begins To Blur” and “Starfuckers, Inc.” They closed the 2+ hour set with the usual closer, “Head Like A Hole,” without any need for an encore. I started the evening with disappointment in the fans, but NIN’s performance erased most ill feelings and only underscored what is always the most important part: respect for music. This was one of the greatest shows of the year and the worst crowd I have ever witnessed.
Setlist: 
For the record the lyrics for the speaking part of Closer are:
“Through every forest, above the trees, within my stomach, scraped off my knees, I drink the honey inside your hive, You are the reason I stay alive”
I avoid arenas at all costs ever since The Mars Volta played an inaudible set opening up for System of a Down a few years back at the Wachovia Center. Generally speaking, large venues like outdoor festivals and arenas do not produce the sound or intimate setting one desires when seeing your favorite band. Although I still believe in that notion, recent events have made me realize that certain acts can pull it off. My last concert review raved about the sound that Radiohead was able to achieve at their recent All Points West headlining gig. This past Friday, Trent Reznor and company pulled off what I thought was just not possible at the Wachovia Center (and I’ve been there a bunch times).
Fans have been raving about the lights, set lists and sound on Nine Inch Nails’ recent Lights in the Sky over North America tour. I had seen YouTube videos of the lights, read set lists on EchoingtheSound, but was reluctant to believe that good sound was possible in that building. I don’t like to admit it often, but I was wrong. And I wouldn’t expect anyone else to shut me up. Let me just say that sound was mixed to perfection. Although you can’t overcome all of the downfalls of playing in an arena designed for sporting events, it just worked this time. Take notes System of a Down, The Mars Volta and Tool.
On a poor tip I overheard at a parking lot tailgate, we planned to enter the arena at 8:30 in time to hit the general admission floor at 8:50. As we entered I heard the opening riffs of 999,999/1,000,000 and rushed to the gate and entered the floor. It actually sounded so good, we first thought it was the PA system. “What arroagant bastards would play their own songs before a show?” I thought to myself. That was not the case, as an amazing 31-song set list would follow the opener.
The lights were something I’ve never seen used before. And, honestly, I could not explain how they worked if I tried. There are some YouTube videos that highlight some of these techniques but will not do them justice. You simply have to experience this for yourself. I’m posting one of those videos here anyway:
My favorite was when the lighting tech used a flood light to erase the images on a screen that is dropped in front of the stage. It makes me wonder how much money all of these lighting rigs cost.
The setlist was as satisfying as any NIN show I’ve been to (and I’m in double digits now). I’ve never heard Down In It played live before, and it was certainly a treat. Trent introduced it, saying,”This is an old song, a really old song.” Down In It was the first NIN single ever released. It came out in 1988 and preceded the 1989 release of debut album Pretty Hate Machine. Another rare track that surprised the crowd was Reptile. From what I can remember, it received the loudest cheers, both as the song began and after it was finished. Several songs from the Ghosts I-IV album were performed in chunks, highlighted by Trent playing a giant xylophone and new bassist Justin Meldel-Johnsen (formerly of Beck) on stand-up bass.
The new players represent the strongest overall lineup of the live band. Robin Finck plays a much meaner lead guitar than Aaron North did. North’s acrobatic antics on stage lost their novelty rather quickly, and Finck’s presence is menacing. Meldal-Johnsen is better known as being Beck’s bassist for years and looks a bit strange with his super-fro dyed black. However, he has a lot more energy than Jeordie White (formerly of Marilyn Manson) presented in the last incarnation. And what can you say about Josh Freese. This guy is on something. It’s not because of his physique but his relentless intensity. Some of the songs played on this tour have some complicated percussion arrangements that not many drummers would be able to pull off so effortlessly night after night. For now, I will forgive the fact that Josh is also the studio drummer for the Inidigo Girls, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, and Miley Cyrus.
Trent looked awkwardly buff as usual and should definitely be tested for steroids. He’s sporting a dark beard now, which could only explain that he is hard at work on Year Zero 2 and the HBO project (and doesn’t have time to shave). He was more talkative than usual and described how he had tried to escape Pennsylvania for 18 years as a youth and now finds himself back where he started. He went on about how at the beginning there were all dudes at his shows, and now he notices more chicks (which I’ve heard him say at least three times before). He also mentioned that he talks too much and will stop at future shows.
Overall, the show was great, especially considering the size of the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. It’s interesting to see how the theatrical side of NIN live, as well as the lineup, has evolved over the years. And it’s difficult to imagine how Mr. reznor will possibly top these concerts. Then again, I remember saying that two years ago. Here is the full set list:
1. 999,999 [Intro]
2. 1,000,000
3. Letting You
4. Discipline
5. March Of The Pigs
6. Head Down
7. The Frail
8. The Wretched
9. Closer [The Only Time Breakdown]
10. Gave Up
11. Me, I’m Not
12. The Great Destroyer
13. Ghosts 5
14. Ghosts 17
15. Ghosts 19
16. Piggy [Ghosts]
17. The Greater Good
18. Pinion [Interlude]
19. Wish
20. Terrible Lie
21. Survivalism
22. The Big Comedown
23. Ghosts 31
24. Only
25. Down In It
26. Head Like A Hole
ENCORE
27. Echoplex
28. Reptile
29. God Given
30. Hurt
31. In This Twilight
