Hello all, this is going to be a bit of a blog post.
One of my favourite groups, or perhaps composers, is Trent Reznor in the band Nine Inch Nails. They are by far one of the most superior live acts around – because of a certain degree of enthusiasm that they have of not cheating their audience. The fee for my floor seat for their show in Vancouver was a hefty $110. The best thing about the digital age is that I can take a look at what that live show looks like – and I know personally I will not be disappointed.
I remember that one day a few years ago, one of the fan made DVDs was put on the big screen for an afternoon in Vancouver at the Pacific Cinematique and I was there with an old friend and bandmate of mine. Little did I know what I was in for.
The concert was horribly long. And horribly beautiful. There was something bizarrely resonant within the entire performance with me – this was made by fans for a band, this entire lights show was the best in the world (at the time, and in my opinion) and nobody could top this. I was feeling awful afterwards knowing I would never see NIN on stage in my life.
And then they just had to come back and bring an epic lights show with them with masterfully precise musicians and an album. Needless to say, “Came Back Haunted” has been played literally over 1000 times on my iTunes since I pre-ordered the deluxe album.
The degree of seriousness and respect NIN has for its fans, as well as for its own integrity of making a proper live spectacle, is something to aspire to and idolize. And it will be for many years. See you down in front.
Paul Ouzounov 