| Nine Inch Nails |
| with The Bird Blobs |
| 17/08/2005, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. |
|
I was very much looking forward to seeing NIN again, and this time in a solo show. Having seen the band twice before,
but both times on large tours (Alternative Nation and Big Day Out), I've been keen for years to see them do their own
show where they can control the mood (lights, sounds, etc.) and play for as long or as little as they like. I also wanted
to make sure that I was close enough to experience it all, so I headed down early and met Pauly and Bren around 6:30pm (doors
apparently opened at 8pm, but were already open when we got there). Anyway, got into the front section of GA, pulled up some floor
and waited. Met Elaine and Greg there, and saw my sister just before the support band (The Bird Blobs) came on.
The Bird Blobs I live in hope that this band will google themselves with "Bird Blobs Melbourne Review" and be directed to this page. For I would like to tell them directly to either improve 1000% immediately or just fucking stop. I still cannot decide whether or not the word "woeful" or "abhorrent" best describes their performance. Their was some potential there - the drummer seemed a fraction above mediocre, and the singer had some stage presence - kinda like Nick Cave on the track "The Mercy Seat", but their songs were really quite ordinary, they tuned up between every song, they antagonised the crowd, and after saying they were used to heckling, folded under pressure. Yep, quite forgettable I'm afraid. The only joy was that they played for only about 30 minutes. I can't believe that Queens of the Stoneage support NIN in the US, we get this crap... Nine Inch Nails The band came onto the stage in darkness, and I was completely thrown off, because the silhouette I thought was Trent was actually Jeordie White (bass/guitar, ex Marilyn Manson and A Perfect Circle). Trent sporting Rollins-like muscles and a shaved head was quite a shock to the system. But this shock was soon gone on hearing the first lyrics "This is the first day of my last days..." as the band launched into a searing version of "Wish". When I got a chance, I managed to have a look around Rod Laver to see that it was absolutely packed. People were up and dancing / moshing in their seats. I was about 3 or 4 metres from the front of the stage, slightly off to the left, in front of Jeordie. Just on the inside cusp of the moshpit, which was fun (and reminded me of my younger days concert going :D). I bounced around to a fair bit of the show, and had a great view for the bulk of it. Managed to get some fairly ordinary pics, but one good video on my new phone. The band was spot on. In particular the drummer was a MACHINE. I was blown away (yes, he was almost OPETH quality). Jeordie White was a real presence on stage and as a musician was spot on (playing guitar, bass, some keyboards and providing most of the backing vocals). Aaron North, the new guitarist, whilst no Robin Finck, is still pretty good, more "rock", looking like he should belong in The Cure. At the end of the show, he completely trashed his guitar. Very rock. Setlist was as follows (90% confident this is in order):
Lighting was great, set was quite minimal - just with a bunch of thin vertical strips of digital lighting at the back of the stage, which were used to great effect. Overall, awesome gig. Great sound, great set, great show. Yeah, top 5 material I'd say. |