Nine Inch Nails kicked off the 2026 leg of the Peel It Back Tour in New Orleans, where frontman Trent Reznor once lived and where we saw the band perform for the first time. After a short wait outside, we stepped into the pre-show atmosphere. Smoke poured from the main room as ominous tones filled the building. As we walked to our seats, the droning grew louder and an ominous red light covered the stage. The opener, electronic DJ and producer Boys Noize, played remixes of Nine Inch Nails’ early work. By the end of the hour, the audience was excited for more.  

After the opener, Nine Inch Nails began on a smaller stage in the center of the venue with a deconstructed version of “Something I Can Never Have” from their debut album, “Pretty Hate Machine.” Once the band joined the main stage, aggressive flashing lights accompanied the music. Through the lights, we could see the band projected on the screens behind them. The lights, screens and screaming vocals from Reznor and the crowd created an assault on the senses in the best way. Despite Reznor performing for over 30 years, he has not lost his voice or stage presence. 

Reznor lived in New Orleans for nine years where he began a recording studio out of a former funeral home on Magazine Street. After a series of deep cuts from the band’s discography, Reznor greeted the New Orleans crowd, saying, “It’s good to be home.” They proceeded to play a cover of David Bowie’s “I’m Afraid of Americans,” a song Reznor helped create during his friendship with the rock legend. On this tour, Reznor has called the song increasingly relevant. He has spoken openly about U.S. politics since the Bush administration. The song satirizes American culture and the alienation a European traveler might feel in the United States. 

The setlist showed how important New Orleans is to Reznor, including classics the band has not played live in years. After a long battle with addiction, New Orleans was where he became sober, and he now sees it as a home even after moving to Los Angeles. With every song, the band’s emotion came through clearly. They closed with “Hurt,” leaving the crowd stunned. It was the kind of show that stays with you and one everyone should see if they have the chance.