(warning: this is a long, long post. I need an outlet for my excitement over this concert)
HOLY
SHIT
That was one HELL of a concert. We got there at around 5, and the line of gothic people was already about two blocks long. It extended a few blocks behind us by the time we were let in.
Upon entering I bought a cool shirt (for 30 dollars...damn concert prices). We entered the concert area, and in our naievity deciced to make our way to the front of the pit. This was a mistake.
The opening band came on. They were called the Dresden Dolls and were suprisingly good. They have a really drum/piano/old timey kind of sound, and the drummer wears a bowler and acts like a mime. They were a lot of fun.
So then they get off, and the curtain slowly rises. There are a bunch of roadies still working on the equipment. This is not a good sign. They continue to do so for about 20 minutes.
Then...the moment arrives. The stage darkens and a familiar sillouette appears on stage. It was Trent Reznor, the man I had been waiting 6 years to see, and I was about four rows away from him. That's when the crowd pressed forward.
I was expecting them to do it of course, but I was not expecting it to be so insane. I was literally crushed between the people around me. We were packed so tight that no one could move their arms. I was mashed behind a really hot girl, but I feel sorry for her because I was crushing her pretty hard. It took all of my strength to go with the sway of the crowd, which almost sucked me under a few times. It was not what I would call fun. Not to mention I could barely hear the music.
But there was a reason I could barely hear the music, and Trent realized it pretty quick. He was in the middle of The Wretched when he just suddenly stopped and said "someone fucked up". He then approched the mic and said "I'll be back when these fuckers figure things out" and walked off the stage. He seemed very angry, and I don't blame him.
Turns out there were some technical difficulties. So the lights came up and the roadies went to work. The sardine tin of people started to release the pressure, so I took the opportunity to fight my way to the back of the pit, where there was room to breathe. On the way back I ran into a girl from my high school that I hadn't seen for 2 years. What are the odds?
Anyways, people were getting pretty cranky and there were rumors of cancellation going around. A lot of us, myself included, were getting kind of soured by the whole thing. But then, the lights went back down and the band quietly took the stage. Without saying a word, they broke right into Wish with an intensity that was just astounding. I think they were really driven to give us one hell of a show after the hour of downtime. A few songs in, Trent apologized for the fuck-up, and all was forgiven by the crowd.
The lighting was amazing. Here is a picture someone took during Closer:
Those bars would go along with the music. during burn, they looked like blue flames, and during with teeth, they kind of looked like teeth closing down. It was intense.
The setlist was excellent. A really good mix of songs from every album. Let's see of I can remember...
He started with Wish, which like I said, kicked the audience's ass.
From there he went into March of the Pigs, except it was about 10 times harder than the album version. The people in the pit were just destroying eachother.
Burn: Burn is the last song you'd expect him to play, but there it was. The buildup on this song was just insane. You could really tell the band was out to impress us.
The Line Begins to Blue: one of my favorites off the new album, and it plays great live.
Piggy: He tried to do that thing where he walks on the crowd, but he got sucked down pretty quick. He kept singing the whole time though. at the end of the song he had this handheld harpsichord thing that was pretty cool. And of couse he threw it at the ground when he was done with it.
Gave Up: Just as intense ad Wish and March of the Pigs.
The Big Comedown: This was the one I really wanted to hear. It's rare to hear him perform it live, and it sounded great.
Reptile: Another rarity. It worked really great live, even though it seems like a song that isn't especially live-friendly.
Home: A new non-album track. It's not quite as good live, but it's cool to hear a non-album track nonetheless.
A WITHA TEETHA: This song kicks ass live. I'm wondering if he didn't write it with the intention of having it sound great live. Did I mention he played a goddamned tambourine? That was something you don't see everyday.
Closer: He has to play Closer. It's a law. But he mixed it up this time. Towards the end, the song broke into The Only Time (from pretty hate Machine) and he yelled that part he usually whispers in the background of Closer (throughout the forest/among the trees or whatever).
Terrible Lie: One of those songs he plays at every concert. I got hoarse from yelling "MY GOD" so loud.
The Day the World Went Away: Another one I was not expecting, it was the closest thing to an instramental we got. It's one of my favorite Fragile Tracks, so I was glad to hear it.
Suck: Suck is one of those great audience participation songs. Everyone got to yell suck a lot. It was fun.
Hurt: I really want him to phase hurt out somday, or at least not play it at every concert. I would rather have heard Right Where it Belongs. That being said, it was still quite an expirience to hear it live
The Hand That Feeds: This song was very obviously designed to be played live. It was much better than the studio version. Added bonus: before the song Trent yelled "THIS ONE'S FOR GEORGE W COCKSUCKER BUSH!" Thanks, Trent. I had no idea what the song was about before!
Head Like a Hole: They ended on a bang. I don't know where they found the energy, but they poured every ounce of it into this song. And the lights were going full force. I was almost blinded a few times.
And then the lights went up and we all shuffled out. I was so sore I could barely walk. Then it was a 2 hour trip back to Milwaukee and I promptly passed out. What a day.
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Topic: A With the Teeth-A (Read 3372 times)