So how was the Nine Inch Nails concert at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome this June? Well, well, for a band that has been active since… 1988 (!) it was absolutely amazing. I will have a hard time deciding which concert gave me the most chills this year; Have a Nice Life in London a few weeks back has been a strong competitor. But I can admit the superiority of Trent Reznor, and Trent Reznor above his band, starting by playing “Right Where It Belongs” solo, a cappella/piano, at the very beginning of the concert in the middle of the standing area: what a trip, what guts, what power, what talent, what voice, what songwriting too, as the songs have been stripped down and worked on by themselves. Pretty rare in music in general, including in the world of current pop divas.
One of my daughters, who is used to small and large venues, pop divas, even hip hop and electro, told me this was the first time she heard a singer sound exactly like on the records (if not better, I would add). This start gave me the most chills I’ve had this year so far, and maybe in a long time.
The rest of the concert was a blessing, even though it was missing some of my most cherished songs. But there was enough for everyone: from the most obscure songs in their catalog to the most popular ones, in a rock version like “The Perfect Drug” (my wife’s favorite moment), or pure electro played again in the middle of the standing area (my two daughters’ favorite moment, one of them being addicted to the Challengers movie soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross).
Overall, Nine Inch Nails have progressively become the kings of rock, for so many reasons, starting with immense talent. Having seen them live three times over the last 25 years, I can acknowledge this.
