Thursday, November 10, 2005

Nine Inch Nails in Ill Philly

The expectations for this show were moderate. It was in an arena ( The Spectrum) but the bands that filled the bill were top quality.

First Death From Above 1979 came on destroyed and performed the bet set I've ever seen for an arena opener. I love You're A Woman, I'm A Machine but the intensity of these two men rocking their bass and drum respectively was beyond belief.

Queens of The Stone Age then did the same. The crowd was into it and Josh Homme and his gang responded.

Nine Inch Nails arrived without too much of a wait. They played some oldies ("Head Like A Hole" "Terrible Lie" "Closer" and a somber intimate version of "Hurt") and some newer ("Hand That Feeds" and some of the better tracks off With Teeth) worked in to perfection. There are the lighters flying the sky, the sing alongs and even a mosh pit, something I hadn't seen in quite a while.

The security guards stayed calm and let the show flow. They didn't interrupt and overwhelm the crowd with their presence. The best arena show in my recent memory. I'd have to go back to Rage Against The Machine, Beastie Boys and Black Star at the Free Mumia Abu Jamal rally (weird situation to say the least).

Can't wait to see NIN again.