The Industrial Revolution Endures: Nine Inch Nails Live At The Forum, Inglewood

This article was originally published on Clash

“This is it,” Trent Reznor told a sold-out crowd in Los Angeles on Friday night. “It seems like the tour goes on forever, and then one day, it’s over. Today’s that day.”

Less than two years prior, the Nine Inch Nails mastermind admitted that his enthusiasm for participating in roadshows was beginning to wither as he was settling into parenthood. This is precisely why news of the Peel It Back concert series earlier this year caught everyone by surprise. Of course, watching the industrial project back on stage made it clear once again that the veteran will most likely keep creating and performing till his final chapter … it’s almost impossible to imagine him living his life any differently. Right up there with the likes of Jack White and Damon Albarn, he is and has always been a serious musician who plays a vital role in nudging the millions paying attention to take art more seriously.

“I didn’t want to come out unless it felt special or important,” he added. “We had no idea if anyone would still come out to see us, and it has exceeded expectations.”

Last week, Nine Inch Nails wrapped up their latest trek with back-to-back shows at the Kia Forum in Inglewood. Everything considered, the final performance of the tour on September 19th checked all the boxes for the perfect concert: purposeful setlist, hypnotic imagery, enthralling movement and an airtight itinerary. Most notably, the impeccable music quality was a product of Reznor & Co. striking the perfect balance between staying true to the studio product and adding a touch of spontaneity to its live renditions.

Immediately after an hour-long warmup by Boys Noize, the box-shaped curtain enveloping the stage in the middle of the arena dropped to the ground to reveal the 60-year-old playing ‘Right Where It Belongs’ on the piano. After his bandmates helped him build momentum over the next two tunes, they all made their way to the main stage while a projection of drummer Josh Freese hacking away at his kit towered over the general admission section. Over the next six songs, the group was surrounded by a transparent wall that displayed holographic animations fused with live footage of the performers. The most memorable visual from the entire set was when Reznor belted out ‘Copy Of A’ amid several live copies of himself — you’d have to see it to believe it.

Switching back and forth between these two stages — a main one to the side of the area and a square platform less than half its size located at the center of the floor — ensured that no one in attendance drifted off. When Reznor moved back to the middle of the venue, Boys Noize joined him on 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 alliance, for those trying to figure out that mystery name on the 2026 Coachella lineup, is Nine Inch Noize.

The final act took place back on the main stage, where the group played explosive interpretations of ‘Mr. Self Destruct’, ‘The Hand That Feeds’ and ‘Head Like A Hole’ as well as an aptly timed cover of David Bowie’s ‘I’m Afraid Of Americans’.

Following a blackout that fooled absolutely nobody, the troop reappeared for one final hurrah with ‘Hurt’. This was without question the most emotive moment of the entire evening, probably because it is arguably the most powerful song from Reznor’s entire discography. Now that is how you sign off.

Witnessing Nine Inch Nails in the flesh can be rather perplexing at first because it corners you into rethinking and better understanding your instincts. It’s music you would otherwise dance (or commit arson) to, but not a concert you dance at. Not to take away from the handful of people who started a mosh pit during ‘Perfect Drug’, but most ended up in an immobile state because the spectacle in question has an aggressively tranquilizing effect on the soul.

It turns out that simply listening to the records is only half the experience. For the complete high, you need to show up in person and submit yourself. Because not everyone has had the opportunity to do so yet, it’s in everyone’s best interest that Nine Inch Nails remain active.

Nine Inch Nails in Inglewood | Photo Credit: Karan Singh

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