Photo courtesy Scott Newton / KLRU
Austin City Limits knows how to keep fans on their toes. Even ACL producer Terry Lickona had to admit he never thought he’d say these words, just before uttering the name “Nine Inch Nails!” Several things were immediately apparent as the taping began: 1) the room was more full than I’ve seen it for an ACL Taping (although yes, I missed the Radiohead taping); 2) more people wore NIN shirts than I’ve ever seen ACL attendees wear for the band performing; and 3) the entire venue immediately rose to their feet and stayed there, another phenomenon I’ve never seen at an ACL taping.
Photo courtesy Scott Newton / KLRU
Some general talk of Nine Inch Nails not being able to perform with the usual light spectacular to which they’re accustomed whispered through the crowd before the performance. Maybe it’s just because most of the live music I see is in dimly lit clubs, but the lights were pretty phenomenal to me–rapid fire white spotlights and pulsing red back lighting washed over the eight-piece band. Moreover, ACL’s sound system is simply flawless, and the band sounded incredible on the stage. While Nine Inch Nails certainly brought something brand new to the ACL stage, with two dedicated back-up singers (including Lisa Fischer, who is featured in the film 20 Feet From Stardom), the industrial rock outfit didn’t seem so out of place.
Photo courtesy Scott Newton / KLRU
The evening was comprised primarily of newer material although a few older songs cropped up, including “Sanctified” from the band’s debut album Pretty Hate Machine and closer “Hurt,” featured on the band’s opus The Downward Spiral and famously covered by Johnny Cash. As heavy and abrasive as Nine Inch Nails can be, the lyricism has always conveyed the deeply personal emotions of Trent Reznor. Fans can tell you there’s a certain beauty and tenderness within the songs, and Reznor exhibited this early on by performing the soft and moving “The Frail.” Of course, his beauty has always been offset by an intense inner darkness. Following “The Frail” with counterpart “The Wretched,” Reznor stood hunched over center stage as the song’s grinding distortion swelled harshly, each time, he rose slowly and broke into a growl as his face contorted into a grimace of pain. This balance of beauty and darkness is the struggle of human psychology that Reznor’s music completely reflects.
Photo courtesy Scott Newton / KLRU
However, the best part of the night was the fervor of the fans, their complete devotion and love for this artist. One of those included my high school best friend Chelsea, who I felt so privileged to be able to take to the show. The ecstatic grin she wore all night could be seen on faces across the venue–at least when they weren’t screaming lyrics. Nine Inch Nails’ set would ultimately last almost two hours, without Reznor even breaking for a staged encore. Reznor and his band put on a powerful show, one that has been tailored to impress huge stadium crowds night after night. Last night, the venue was smaller, but the crowd’s enjoyment was no less.
