"This is it," Trent Reznor addressed a sold-out audience in Los Angeles on Friday night. "It feels like the tour lasts forever, and then suddenly, it’s over. Today is that day."
Less than two years ago, the Nine Inch Nails frontman confessed that his enthusiasm for touring was diminishing as he embraced parenthood. This is why the announcement of the Peel It Back concert series earlier this year came as a surprise. However, seeing the industrial band back on stage reaffirmed that the veteran artist will likely continue to create and perform until the end of his days—it’s difficult to envision him living any other way. Alongside notable figures like Jack White and Damon Albarn, he has always been a serious musician who plays a crucial role in encouraging audiences to appreciate art deeply.
"I didn’t want to perform unless it felt unique or significant," he continued. "We didn't know if anyone would still want to see us, and the turnout has surpassed what we expected."
Last week, Nine Inch Nails concluded their latest tour with consecutive performances at the Kia Forum in Inglewood. Overall, the final show on September 19th encapsulated the ideal concert experience: a meaningful setlist, captivating visuals, engaging performances, and a well-organized schedule. The exceptional quality of the music resulted from Reznor and his band striking an ideal balance between staying faithful to the studio recordings while adding an element of spontaneity to their live performances.
Following an hour-long warm-up by Boys Noize, a box-shaped curtain enclosing the stage in the arena fell to reveal the 60-year-old Reznor playing ‘Right Where It Belongs’ on the piano. As his bandmates helped build momentum over the next two songs, they made their way to the main stage, where a projection of drummer Josh Freese performing was displayed prominently over the general admission area. During the next six songs, the group was enclosed by a transparent wall showcasing holographic animations blended with live footage of the performers. The most striking visual moment came when Reznor sang ‘Copy Of A’ surrounded by multiple live versions of himself—it's something you really have to witness to believe.
The performance alternated between two stages—a main one situated to the side and a smaller square platform in the center—that kept the audience engaged. When Reznor moved to the center, Boys Noize joined him for digitized remixes of ‘Vessel’, ‘Closer’, ‘Came Back Haunted’, and ‘As Alive As You Need Me To Be’ from the recently released TRON: Ares soundtrack. This collaboration is likely the secret behind the mysterious name on the 2026 Coachella lineup: Nine Inch Noize.
The final act returned to the main stage, featuring powerful renditions of ‘Mr. Self Destruct’, ‘The Hand That Feeds’, and ‘Head Like A Hole’, along with a well-timed cover of David Bowie’s ‘I’m Afraid of Americans’.
After a blackout that surprised no one, the band reemerged for a concluding performance of ‘Hurt’. This moment undeniably stood out as the most emotive of the night, likely due to it being one of the most impactful songs in Reznor's discography. Now that’s an impressive way to conclude.
Experiencing Nine Inch Nails live can initially be disorienting because it compels you to reevaluate and better understand your instincts. It’s music you would usually dance (or engage in rebellious acts) to, yet it's not a concert where dancing is the norm. While a few individuals did start a mosh pit during ‘Perfect Drug’, most ended up in a state of stillness, as the performance has a profoundly tranquilizing effect on the spirit.
Ultimately, simply listening to the albums is only part of the experience. To fully appreciate it, you need to be there in person and surrender yourself to the moment. Given that not everyone has had that chance yet, it’s in everyone's best interest for Nine Inch Nails to remain active.
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Words: Karan Singh Main Photo Credit: John Crawford Inset Photo Credit: Karan Singh
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"This is it," Trent Reznor said to a full house in Los Angeles on Friday evening. "It feels like the tour lasts endlessly, and then suddenly, it comes to an end."