Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at United Center • Chicago
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
August 19, 2025
United Center
Chicago, IL
Reviewed by Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth
When Trent Reznor appeared on stage at the United Center on Tuesday night (August 19), he was greeted by ear-shattering screams that quickly turned into silence. The crowd hushed as he sat at his piano. The opening notes of “A Minute to Breathe” filled the space. Reznor began singing so quietly that any spontaneous outbursts from the crowd drowned him out. He ended the song with a nod to “Zero Sum,” but before the audience could react, he slipped into a stripped-back version of “Ruiner.” As he played, Atticus Ross, Robin Finck, and Alessandro Cortini joined Reznor on the small stage, ready to unleash a sonic assault. It’s an unexpected way for Nine Inch Nails to start a show, but this isn’t your typical Nine Inch Nails concert.
“The Peel It Back Tour” feels like an immersive, theatrical production. Comprised of two stages, the band seamlessly moves between the larger main stage and the small B-stage located in the middle of the venue throughout the night. While the main stage features surreal, eerie, and striking projections on transparent scrim screens, the B-stage offers intimate performances, a rarity for an arena. The multi-stage setup provided everyone in the venue, even those in the cheaper seats, with a great view. Foregoing LED screens and pre-recorded projections, the visuals included live shots of the band as they are performing, captured by fixed cameras and a roaming handheld camera. Seeing the visuals paired with the intense music leaves you mesmerized and a bit transfixed.
The 20-song setlist included mainstays like “The Perfect Drug,” featuring a beastly drum solo from Josh Freese, “March of the Pigs,” “The Hand that Feeds,” “Head Like a Hole,” and “Wish,” but Reznor had a few surprises up his sleeve. Fans were treated to “Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me),” “Vessel,” a cover of David Bowie’s “I’m Afraid of Americans,” and “Mr. Self Destruct.” Opener Boys Noize joined Nine Inch Nails on the B-stage for a mini-remix set featuring revamped versions of tracks like “Closer,” “Came Back Haunted,” and their new song “As Alive As You Need Me.”
Of course, Nine Inch Nails ended the evening with “Hurt.” No matter how many times you’ve seen it, it’s always a beautiful moment. Amongst a sea of phone flashlights and lighters, fans passionately sing along with Reznor, feeling every word. The crowd cheers and applauds when Reznor sings “you are someone else/I am still right here,” celebrating not just Reznor conquering his demons. Still, everyone is coming together to experience a fantastic night of music.
Nine Inch Nails’ first arena tour in 12 years isn’t your standard concert. It’s an immersive experience. The two-stage setup creates unexpected, intimate, and sometimes quiet moments during an abrasive set. The visuals are captivating and often speak to a song’s themes. But what makes it an unforgettable night is the band’s performance. They’ve always been great performers, yet they somehow keep getting better. They’re incredibly tight and polished.
Meanwhile, Reznor’s voice is stronger at 60 years old than it was 30 years ago. Though he’s older, he still knows how to deliver anguish, rage, and pain. Nine Inch Nails is constantly evolving, but the sheer power and emotional impact of their performances remain the same.
Category: Live Reviews
