It's been 26 years...
by Red on 02/07/2025The O2 - LondonRating: 5 out of 5Not seen this mob for a time, a long time, last century... Very different outfit now, still processing the show, 2 weeks later. I went with no expectations, been a while since I stepped into a venue this size but this been Nine Inch Nails, I wasn't disappointed, not for a second. They delivered on many, various levels, something that long-time fans & newcomers would agree with. The choice of venue size on seeing the show's layout made sense, to deliver the complexity of the production would be near impossible in smaller venues & lost (possibly pointless) in Stadiums or Festivals, this production has to be experienced within the confines of an Arena this size. The thinking behind the set design is on another level. With 45+ years of attending & working in live entertainments of all sizes behind me, I've not seen a show anywhere near close (including Britney) to this performance. The inclusion of a 2nd Stage mid-arena raised the bar (watch others slavishly copy), the show opened with 'Act 1', a paired down acoustic set, It takes balls to perform stripped back, near acoustic versions of well loved songs & aside from one clown making his point loudly, this was an unexpected highlight. 'Act 2' followed seamlessly on the main stage, visually stunning but it could've been louder, these old ears of mine 'Act 3' returned to the 'B' stage, this time with the NiNclusion of the support DJ - Boys Noize, a long-time collaborator, turning what is a mega-barn of a venue with notorious acoustics into an intimate setting, akin to a dark, steamy hinterstraße Berlin club & raucous it was. NIN executed this with great aplomb, giving the audience a far more personal experience, affording many to see close-up, the mechanics of what I believe to be a composer at the height of his powers, many will regret not been a part of this but for those that did attend, something that left an indelible impression on young & old alike. 'Act 4' reconvened on the main stage, this was a powerful last part of the show, a tricky moment late on obviously aggrieved the perfectionist in Reznor, (that poor guitar) but based on what I saw when they started out in the early 1990's, these problems only served to intensify his performance, as was the case tonight, good to see a little of that old anger resurfacing. For me, gigs are personal, some profound, others less so, based on what I experienced with this band previously, tonight was a road to Damascus conversion, for any that are thinking of going to the remaining shows but are hesitating for one reason or another, take my advice; Beg, borrow or steal a ticket. Near flawless.

