2009.05.18 Pearl Concert Theater, Las Vegas, NV

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Mike
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Post by Mike »

SHOW REVIEW:
Vegas reunion for Nine Inch Nails, Jane’s Addiction

June 1, 2009 by Jordan Healy

Reformed groups welcome back original members

On May 18, The Pearl might have hosted Vegas’ best concert of 2009 thus far with the co-headlining line-up of Jane’s Addiction and Nine Inch Nails. Fans from all over the U.S. flooded the concert hall, many of whom had already seen the tour in several other cities. If their fandom is any indicator, the show was just that good.

Harkening back to when Jane’s and NIN toured together in 1991 on the Lollapalooza tour, NIN performed first. NIN frontman Trent Reznor said this tour will be the group’s last before an extended hiatus from live appearances, so it seemed only fitting that he should return to his roots and open for the band who brought him so much fame.

At first, the show began, seemed like it was destined for disaster. The opener for the rest of the tour, Street Sweeper Social Club, who had been advertised for weeks before the concert, dropped off without notice. Then there was a mishap with NIN’s fog machines before the show, in which The Pearl was absolutely flooded with fog, setting off all the fire alarms in the casino.

But once the alarms were turned off, Reznor and the boys came out and completely smashed any disheartened expectations one could have had for their performance. From the very beginning of the powerful opener “Somewhat Damaged,” the audience was pummeled with the group’s industrial stomp.

This was truly a fan’s concert, as the setlist focused little on the singles, favoring obscure tracks that hadn’t been heard live in years. Powerful renditions of “The Downward Spiral” “Heresy,” and “I Do Not Want This” more than made up for the absence of “Closer,” which wasn’t missed, as it has been played on literally every tour since the single was released.

When NIN ended their set around 10 p.m. with a gut-wrenching version of “Hurt,” it was hard to believe that any act could follow them. Surprisingly, Jane’s Addiction was more than able to hold its own weight following the industrial titans.

Jane’s Addiction has a storied history with internal feud. Numerous line-up changes and members’ drug addictions split the group on two separate occasions. Although there are new rumors that the group has already begun fighting again, any signs of distress were unapparent on stage.

The reformed original line-up of the group put on a show worthy of their daunting legacy. Even though frontman Perry Farrell is 50, he’s still a captivating performer whose perpetually gyrating body serves as support for a unique voice that has remarkably grown only stronger over the years. Guitarist Dave Navarro roamed the stage, shirtless as always, adding his renowned chops to the thundering funk.

As returning bassist Eric Avery hadn’t been in the group since 1991, the group chose only to play tracks from their first three albums. Even though it had been a long time since Avery played with the group, one would have never known it. He slapped the strings of his bass like a madman, driving the pure sexual energy of the group’s funky tracks.

Overall, this was an absolutely amazing show. It was a rare treat to see two bands that were once at the forefront of the alternative rock movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s perform in such an intimate venue with such fire and passion. One can only hope that Reznor will rescind his decision to retire the live band, and that Jane’s Addiction will somehow find the way to mend their differences.

It’s bands like these that are all too rare in today’s musical landscape, and it would be a shame if the world had to live without them.
http://unlvrebelyell.com/2009/06/01/veg ... addiction/


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