Most know by now that Trent Reznor recently announced an indefinite (and possibly permanent) hiatus for his Nine Inch Nails project. It might have seemed odd that the man who was Nine Inch Nails could end it (how exactly does a breakup work when it’s really just one person?), but it most likely means that his touring days may very well be soon behind him. It’s highly doubtful that he will no longer invest himself in writing and recording music, but this might be the last chance anyone has to see him on stage. There is at least one bit of silver lining to the otherwise depressing (but wholly understandable) news: the perchance final tour of Nine Inch Nails will feature Jane’s Addiction.
It would be a fitting finale for Nine Inch Nails if this ends up being the last. Both NIN and Jane’s Addiction rose to prominence around the same time and performed together in the very first Lollapalooza. The event made both acts towering forces in the burgeoning alt-rock scene that went from college radio and underground anonymity to full-fledged mainstream acceptance. So it would all come full circle to see Nine Inch Nails’ swan song alongside JA. Plus, I’m sure that the shows will be outstanding. Having seen both acts (at separate shows) earlier this decade, I can promise you that they’ve lost none of their stage prowess and showmanship in the last twenty years.
The note posted by Mr. Reznor signaling the end of Nine Inch Nails and the final tour can be read below (contains some profanity):
“Towards the beginning of my career in Nine Inch Nails, our biggest break came in the form of an invitation to perform a series of shows with Jane's Addiction. These performances essentially created and defined the term "alternative" rock in the US, created an ongoing festival franchise that is still thriving (Lollapalooza), set the stage for Nirvana to shift popular taste a few months later, and were really fucking FUN to play and attend - truly the best times I've had. The shows were epic. So epic, they propelled NIN to the "next level" (whatever that means), but caused Jane's to implode. The band broke up at the end of that tour. Fast forward to the present. Corporate rock STILL sucks. A friend tells me they saw the original Jane's lineup play a tiny show in LA that was unbelievable. I break out my Jane's records and am amazed by how vital they sound. These guys were the real deal and in this current climate mostly dominated by poseurs and pussies it was refreshing to hear something that sounded dangerous, volatile, beautiful and SINCERE. Emails were sent, phone calls were made, dinner was arranged, ideas were discussed and the next thing I know we're in the studio experimenting. We laugh, we get to know each other, we cry, we yell, we almost quit, we record LOTS of guitar solos, we discuss, we actually begin to all communicate, we yell some more, we become FRIENDS, we laugh again and we do some great things. I get to see first hand why they broke up all those years ago but I also get the chance to see four distinct personalities that become an INCREDIBLE band when they're in the same room. In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases. I've been thinking for some time now it's time to make NIN disappear for a while. Last year's "Lights in the Sky" tour was something I'm quite proud of and seems like the culmination of what I could pull off in terms of an elaborate production. It was also quite difficult to pull off technically and physically night after night and left us all a bit dazed. After some thought, we decided to book a last run of shows across the globe this year. The approach to these shows is quite different from last year - much more raw, spontaneous and less scripted. Fun for us and a different way for you to see us and wave goodbye. I reached out to Jane's to see if they'd want to join us across the US and we all felt it could be a great thing. Will it work? Will it resonate in the marketplace? Who knows. Is there big record label marketing dollars to convince you to attend? Nope. Does it feel right to us and does it seem like it will be fun for us and you? Yes it does. Look for tour dates soon and I hope to see you out there. Trent”
To see a NIN performance last month in Brisbane, check out the clip below. It was filmed by someone moving around the stage, giving it a nice “you are there” kick. Tour dates and venues are listed further down; more dates may be added later.
Fri, May 08 - West Palm Beach, FL [Cruzan Amphitheatre]
Sat, May 09 - Tampa, FL [Ford Amphitheatre]
Sun, May 10 - Atlanta, GA [Lakewood Amphitheatre]
Thu, May 14 - Albuquerque, NM [Journal Pavilion]
Fri, May 15 - Phoenix, AZ [Cricket Wireless Pavilion]
Sat, May 16 - Chula Vista, CA [Cricket Wireless Amphitheater]
Mon, May 18 - Las Vegas, NV [The Pearl]
Wed, May 20 - Irvine, CA [Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – Irvine Meadows]
Fri, May 22 - Mountain View, CA [Shoreline Amphitheatre]
Tue, May 26 - Englewood, CO [Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre]
Wed, May 27 - Kansas City, MO [Starlight Theatre]
*Fri, May 29 - Chicago, IL [Charter One Pavilion]
Sat, May 30 - Noblesville, IN [Verizon Wireless Music Center]
Sun, May 31 - Clarkston, MI [DTE Energy Music Theatre]
Tue, Jun 02 - Toronto, ON [Molson Amphitheatre]
Wed, Jun 03 - Darien Lake, NY [Darien Lake Amphitheatre]
Fri, Jun 05 - Camden, NJ [Tweeter Center At The Waterfront]
Sat, Jun 06 - Holmdel, NJ [PNC Bank Arts Center]
Sun, Jun 07 - Wantagh, NY [Nikon at Jones Beach Music Theater]
Tue, Jun 09 - Columbia, MD [Merriweather Post Pavilion]
Wed, Jun 10 - Burgettstown, PA [Post-Gazette Pavilion]
Fri, Jun 12 - Charlotte, NC [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre]
*Nine Inch Nails only
