So last Saturday was the NIN|JA show down in West Florida. As I have mentioned before, this is Nine Inch Nails' "farewell" tour, as Trent Reznor has stated that he plans for NIN to "disappear for a while" after they finish touring this summer. Whatever that means, it's pretty obvious that NIN won't be out on the road for a while. But I can't complain about it, since what I witnessed Saturday evening was a man in his prime, full of energy and power, destroying equipment as well as the ears and faces of his audience. I have had the pleasure to see Nine Inch Nails three times, and this was the most focused and destructive I have ever seen them. So if this really is the last time we all get to see NIN on the road, they went out with a bang.
But before I get to NIN, let me talk about the other two bands on the bill. First up was Tom Morello's new band Street Sweeper Social Club. They kicked major ass, as Tom and Boots Riley (vocals) marched and stomped around the stage, calling for the crowd to "fight the power" and "rock the fuck out". They even covered M.I.A's "paper Planes" which was rad. I will surely pick up their album on June 16th (and you should too).
NIN went on next, followed by Jane's Addiction, who closed the show. I have never been able to really get into them, but I did know a few songs and was really impressed by them. Perry Farrell is a crazy man, bouncing around the stage, drinking wine, and dressed in a sparkly jumpsuit that he said he bought in South Florida. Their stage show was incredible with crazy lights, giant naked ladies, and even movie clips on a huge screen. Hopefully they can survive themselves and not break up again, because I would for sure love to see them again.
Despite those two great bands, the real reason I went to this show was to see my favorite band ever play one last time. I had high expectations for NIN, but once again they blew them away. They opened with "Now I'm Nothing" which hasn't been played live since 1991 and hasn't ever been released. They cranked through their 90 minute set which was filled with hits (Terrible Lie, March of the Pigs, Discipline) and rarities (Now I'm Nothing, Physical, I Do Not Want This). Lights in the Sky even made its live debut, which almost made me tear up. The rock came so hard and so fast that Robin Finck's guitar couldn't keep up and broke for most of Discipline, after which Trent remarked that "after 20 years, shit still breaks".
The set began at sundown and finished with a full moon overhead. Watching NIN destroy their equipment and the faces of the crowd while the sky slowly changed from light to dark was especially amazing. Even without the fancy lights of Jane's Addiction, NIN let nature do its part in making this the best NIN show I have ever experienced, and one that the hardcore NIN fans could really appreciate.
While I am sad that May 9th, 2009 could mark the last time I ever see NIN, I am also glad for the chances I have gotten to see them, all of which will remain etched in my memory forever. As sad as I may be I also look ahead to what Trent will do next. I have more respect for that man than for any other musician, and I know that he deserves a long vacation after the years and years of touring and releasing albums. Hell he's even getting married. But as I've said before, I can't think of any better way for NIN to go out than this: playing what they want to play, how they want to play it, and in total control of their art with no one to stop them. Nine Inch Nails has been, and always will be, the most important band in my life.
Now I'm Nothing + Terrible Lie
Setlist
Now I'm Nothing
Terrible Lie
Sin
March of the Pigs
Piggy
The Frail
The Wretched
Discipline
Head Down
La Mer
The Good Soldier
I Do Not Want This
The Downward Spiral
Non-Entity
Lights in the Sky
Wish
Physical
The Hand That Feeds
Head Like a Hole
Hurt
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