NINE INCH NAILS + COLD CAVE | LIVE REVIEW
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wed 21 May
There was a palpable buzz of excitement as I approached the venue. People of all ages were there to see their heroes, Nine Inch Nails, who have been concocting their brand of razor-sharp, challenging, superb music for over 25 years. Almost everyone was dressed in black in tribute (I felt embarrassingly overdressed in my mustard trousers), and there was a real sense of family among the fans.
Before the main event however, there was opening act Cold Cave, brainchild of former American Nightmare vocalist Wesley Eisold. Seemingly taking this responsibility in their stride, Cold Cave’s music is a thumping mix of darkwave and heavy synth-based electronica, and was perfect for setting the dark and foreboding tone that pumped through the veins of the whole evening.
When Trent Reznor and his band did step out on to stage, it was to an almighty roar from the crowd. They opened with Copy Of A from latest album, Hesitation Marks. The song built from a slow and steady beginning, adding layer upon layer until we were faced with a wall of exhilarating noise, and from then on it was a master class in live performance. From the set list, to the sound, to the lighting, it was a perfect performance by all concerned. You never realise how important lighting is until you’re witness to a light show of this standard. It enhanced the show no end, adding atmosphere to the quieter moments and extra adrenaline when things got heavier.
Choosing a setlist from such a vast back catalogue must be tricky, but Reznor nailed it. The classics you’d expect were all present; Head Like A Hole, Closer and March Of The Pigs all stood out, as well as more recent favourites, but everything sounded like a classic, such was the musicianship on show.
As expected, Reznor closed the set with Hurt, his ode to self-deprecation and pain that can only come from hitting absolute rock-bottom. Watching him sing “Beneath the stains of time, the feelings disappear. You are someone else, I am still right here,” you can see that every time he does, those stains of time are peeled back to expose that raw nerve, and that is art in its purest form.
words IAN ROGERS
