Nine Inch Nails in concert has never been merely a show; rather, it’s an encompassing experience. Contrary to what some purists of rock might argue—dismissing the grandiosity of major shows as superficial—Trent Reznor masterfully designs the presentation of his songs into a performance where sound, ranging from tumult to whispers, is amplified through dazzling light effects. His remarkable lighting setup enhances the visceral nature of the music, creating an atmosphere where the band feels like it’s pulsating within a living box.
Last night, Nine Inch Nails offered the most ambitious spectacle of their four-decade career at the Mad Cool Festival. This technological showcase matched the dark, threatening, and angular tones of their music, rich in nuances and surprises, remaining unapologetically challenging to the vast sea of devoted fans, who adorned the Madrid festival grounds in black.
The artistic triumph of Nine Inch Nails stood out among the performances on this second day of Mad Cool, where nearly 50,000 attendees crowded the venue, according to festival organizers. This Friday saw no recurrence of the electrical issues from Thursday, which had disrupted performances from Gracie Abrams and Iggy Pop. Aside from Cleveland’s influential group, the festival also featured Alanis Morissette, Benson Boone, Jet, Noah Kahan, and the remarkably talented Alcalá Norte, a local favorite making waves in their hometown.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross notably stand as a successful film score duo today, having garnered two Oscars, two Grammys, and three Golden Globes over the last 15 years for their soundtracks. Reznor, now a seasoned 60, often remarks that his numerous side projects allow him to keep Nine Inch Nails a dynamic creative force. This keeps the band fresh, free from the tedium that can accompany longevity.
In this new chapter, marking their first concert in Spain in seven years, the audience was treated to a vibrant mix of style, blending industrial rock, metal, and punk-rock sounds. Guitars sliced through the air like serrated blades, layered over mechanical electronic beats, heavy pianos, and powerful drumming. This performance serves as a prelude to their forthcoming album, rumored to be in the works, with their last two records released during the early days of the pandemic, five years ago.
The letters NIN emblazoned on countless t-shirts around the venue appeared to be a password for a liberating catharsis as the night deepened. Reznor and his band launched into the set with relentless energy, starting with The Beginning of the End, Wish, March of the Pigs, and Piggy. They maintained an electrifying dramatic tension throughout, with thrilling transitions like Copy of A followed by 1,000,000, culminating in a powerful finale featuring The Perfect Drug, The Hand That Feeds, Head Like a Hole, and the heartbreaking rendition of Hurt.
Alcalá Norte’s Thunderous Performance
Also gracing the Mad Cool stage on Friday were international stars like Alanis Morissette, Benson Boone, Noah Kahan, and Jet, yet another standout performance emerged from Alcalá Norte. This breakout group of 2024 delivered an impressive set that confirmed their growth as a live act.
International artists often serve as the main draw at festivals, but often Spanish bands get a bit lost among the crowded lineup. Yet, it’s crucial to highlight that Alcalá Norte excels with their quality and have significantly improved their live performances. They are ambitiously extending the success of their debut album, released 15 months prior, with an impressive festival tour planned that spans 25 major events from April to October. At Mad Cool, although positioned on the festival’s third-largest stage, their songs were met with enthusiastic singalongs and celebratory pogoing.
As the most spirited group in the festival, their charismatic drummer even made waves by appearing with a wine boot, while their frontman sipped red wine in a cyclist jersey as the sun shone down. They invoke an unusual style that hearkens back to the 1980s, combining post-punk, new wave, urban rock, and the true essence of indie with contrarian themes. Winning the Premio Ruido for the best Spanish album of 2024, multiple MIN awards, and the Academy of Music award for best new group, they’ve matured and gained a sense of professionalism without losing the unique peculiarity that distinguishes them.
Performing their complete album, they creatively reinterpreted 10,000 by Los Planetas, making it feel refreshingly new, and their audience progressively swelled as the sun set and their energy intensified. They have stated they won’t think about a second album until next year—but fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next.
Benson Boone: Pop Antics
Alcalá Norte boasts around 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, while the effervescent Benson Boone has 57 million, anchored by mega-hits like Beautiful Things and In The Stars. However, why does he not receive more attention? The answer is that there’s little to say—his success falls into the typical ‘American-style’ category. Grandiose, flashy, and almost obscenely optimistic, his sound can sometimes seem superficial.
His songs, perfectly crafted for TikTok success, with the potential to hit FM radio, hinge on a vocal delivery and acrobatics that lack depth. They feel like a flashy showcase, a commercial break, a confectionary treat—entertaining, if somewhat garish, yet largely innocuous. The audience seemed to enjoy the show, however.
Jet: A Nostalgic Act
The decision to place Australian rockers Jet on the main stage during ‘prime time’ appeared risky, and their performance did little to change that sentiment. While they created a buzz over two decades ago amidst a rock and roll revival, with bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes, Jet has not evolved much since then—having undergone two breakups and two reunions without releasing new music in 15 years.
Their old tracks remain solidly performed; however, without a particularly unique twist, they struggle to keep the audience fully engaged with a setlist that feels steeped in clichés.
Noah Kahan: Sensitive Country
Noah Kahan is enamored with his falsetto, and rightfully so, as it is remarkable. In his sentimental singer-songwriter ballads, his falsetto shines, though it sometimes comes across as repetitive. The American phenomenon narrates his vulnerabilities and afflictions through calculated country-folk, interspersed with electric guitars, violins, mandolins, and acoustic guitars. While he often appears to be a simple guy suddenly thrust into the limelight, there’s a palpable desire in his music to court a mainstream audience.