Anti-mosh devices of psychological torture.

[osaraba]

So the show itself was pretty awesome. It certainly lived up to the tour name, NIN: Lights in the Sky. Visually, the use of screens (at least 3 of them) and lights was stunning. At times, the screens were "interactive" -- for example, during "Only" Reznor was behind a screen filled with static, and anytime he would step close to it it would clear a halo around him.

At around the middle of the set list, NIN played Ghosts instrumentals, and the scenery was beautiful -- and very reminiscent of Baraka. ...so, I guess I'm glad it only lasted several songs' worth since several people know exactly how I was able to get through watching that film.

The set list itself was pretty good; there were a few songs they didn't play that I was really hoping for (like Every Day Is Exactly the Same, which is TEH SEX -- and I don't use that term lightly), but there were some that I was slightly surprised to hear (like The Good Soldier), and some that are obviously staples that I was just purely happy to hear (like Closer, Head Like a Hole, and Hurt).

According to a set list from August 20th in St. Louis, they played The Wretched, Me, I'm Not and Love Is Not Enough, which I also would have loved to hear.

Okay, now I'll get to the rant portion of this review. GA SUCKED! They made two sections of GA, one in the front "VIP" and one in the back (I'm guessing the general "general admission"?) where I was. I didn't really think that breaking up the GA (with a security barrier in between so that security guys can walk back and forth) would stop moshing, but it seemed like the "VIP GA" crowd was pretty dead (except in the first couple of rows from the stage). I was in the front row of the "general GA" crowd and every time a group started moshing behind me, I'd look behind, hopefully, thinking, "Okay, I'm going to abandon the front and go back there and have some fun." But then a security guard would come and stand by the moshing crowd and glare at them and they'd STOP. ;_;

So, I have had the misfortune of experiencing the most BORING concert EVAR. And it was a NIN show. HOW WRONG IS THAT?! I'm just glad I got to see them at the Hammerstein Ballroom a couple years ago where the crowd and the moshing was awesome.

Even aside from the more intense moshing, there was barely any movement at all anyway. The crowd was not tightly packed; I didn't get any elbows shoved into my back, or someone using my shoulders to steady themselves as they jumped up and down. I didn't get to fight someone for my spot, and dig my elbow into their ribcage (I'm so jealous of you, Juliet)! I didn't get to leave all soaked to the bone with partially my own, and partially other people's sweat. I felt so very, very cheated. WTF did I spend my $75 on? To stand, bored, listening to cool music? Live? I could have put on a live CD in my room and stood there. I could have bought cheaper, seated tickets for that. The IZOD Center sucks. And I will have to pay particular attention in the future to see if GA tickets are tiered. 'Cause that sucks so bad.