Nine Inch Nails Captivates with Haunting, High-Impact Performance
As a fan of Nine Inch Nails since 1993, I pretty excited to be finally seeing Trent Reznor live after all these years. What I got was something that felt more like stepping into the mind of an artist who still has complete command of sound, space, and atmosphere.
The night opened with an hour-long DJ set by German producer Boys Noize, whose pulsing dance beats filled the arena under a deep red glow. His stage was set on the opposite side of the arena from the main stage, creating an interesting dynamic atmosphere. The almost hour-long set leaned heavy into dance and industrial beats, priming the crowd with an uneasy energy.
Then the lights dropped, and in near-darkness, Trent Reznor appeared at a small, secondary stage in the middle of the floor, seated alone at a piano. He opened with “Right Where It Belongs,” and for a few minutes, the massive arena felt completely still. It was intimate, haunting, and a perfect way to pull the crowd into his world. He played three songs from that central spot, pulling the audience in before making his way to the main stage—where the rest of the band was waiting.
Without missing a beat, the full band launched into “Wish,” one of my personal favorites, and the energy skyrocketed. The main stage was veiled in a sheer, translucent material that gave the lighting design a ghostly, layered feel. Shadows, strobes, and LED visuals blended with the band’s silhouettes in a way that was pure Nine Inch Nails—industrial, mysterious, and wholly immersive.
About six songs in, Reznor returned to the center floor stage, this time joined by Boys Noize, for a unique collaboration set. Together they delivered a dance-infused version of “Closer” that maintained the song’s raw sexuality while giving it a modern, almost club-like edge. It was a bold and unexpected twist that worked surprisingly well.
Back on the main stage, now stripped of its sheer covering, the band dove into “Mr. Self Destruct,” signaling a final, more aggressive stretch of the show. The night closed out on a powerful note with a David Bowie cover, “I’m Afraid of Americans,” followed by two of NIN’s biggest tracks: the ferocious “Head Like a Hole” and an emotional, cathartic rendition of “Hurt.” As the crowd sang every word, you could feel the weight and legacy of the music hanging in the air.
This was my first time seeing Nine Inch Nails live, and it was absolutely worth the wait. The show was a masterclass in tension, release, and sonic storytelling. Between the dazzling light design, creative staging, and a setlist packed with deep cuts and fan favorites, the "Peel It Back World Tour" is a true bucket-list experience.
