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Written by Jim Campbell Monday, 28 August 2006 04:28

The entire night was a fantastic look at rock: where it has been (Bauhaus), where it is now (NIN), and where it is heading.

 

w/Peaches
Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, Ind.

Winding down their 2006 tour, Nine Inch Nails made a pit stop in Noblesville, Ind., to give Indy's hoosiers one last chance to mosh to their music. On the road to promote their 2005 release, With Teeth, Trent Reznor & Co. brought along electro-techno rocker Peaches, and the reigning godfathers of goth, Bauhaus.

Once Bauhaus took the stage, it became apparent why this band has such a devout following. In a nutshell, Peter Murphy is a rock god. His presence was so overwhelming that it was difficult to tear my eyes away from the charismatic singer. As Murphy delivered his signature vocals on songs like "She's in Parties," "Double Dare," and "Silent Hedges," the crowd ate up every bit of Gothic bliss Bauhaus had to offer. "You have to go through us to get to them," Murphy told the crowd, referring to Nine Inch Nails. His statement had multiple layers, as Bauhaus' obvious influence on NIN is unmistakable.

Without much ado, Nine Inch Nails took the stage, kicking off their set with "Somewhat Damaged" from 1999's The Fragile. It goes without saying that NIN always delivers the goods in concert by offering up intense performances mixed with dazzling light shows. This performance will keep that tradition alive as Reznor managed to give older songs such as "Terrible Lie" and "Down In It" the same amount of energy as newer rockers like "You Know What You Are?" and "The Hand That Feeds."

Indeed, it was the older songs that exposed the multiple layers of NIN. When Reznor delivered a passionate rendition of "Something I Can Never Have" from 1989's Pretty Hate Machine, he managed to create an intimate moment on stage that displayed his sensitive side. Sure, Reznor can work the crowd up into a frenzy with high-energy hits "Burn" and "March of the Pigs"—both of which were some of the best songs of the night. But when he lets down his guard, as he did on "Hurt," the beauty of NIN is obvious.

It was a poignant moment when Reznor invited Bauhaus' Murphy on stage to perform Murphy's "Final Solution." However, when Reznor launched into "Head Like a Hole"—arguably the band's most notable song—the crowd gave it right back, screaming every lyric of the song with him.

Peaches was the perfect choice for an opening act. Her image was sexy, her energy was infectious, and her music was balls-to-the-wall powerful. Her dominating delivery of hip-hop electronic mash-up commanded the audience's attention and worked them up into a frenzy. This little lady's moxie mixed with her wacky stage antics proves that she not only knows how to rock, but she also knows how to entertain.

The entire night was a fantastic look at rock: where it has been (Bauhaus), where it is now (NIN), and where it is heading. (Peaches). With the promise of a new album coming soon, NIN has proven once again they are in it for the long haul.