Nine Inch Nails
Charter One Pavilion – Chicago, IL
May 29, 2009

Trent Reznor

(lead vocals, guitar, keyboard, synthesizer)

Due to the intense use of strobe lights and fog during the start of the Nine Inch Nails concert in Chicago last week, us photographers were not allowed to enter the photo pit until almost halfway through NIN’s set. Apparently, it was for our own safety. Plus, with the extreme amounts of fog billowing out from the stage into the sold out crowd, any shots would be complete crap. Below are the three songs that Trent Reznor and Co. performed while I was snapping away and simultaneously trying not to die.

I’m Afraid Of Americans (recorded w/ David Bowie)

Burn

Gave Up

Before being allowed into the photo pit, we were briefed by the head security guard for the Nine Inch Nails tour. He told us not to use any flash. Well, duh. Like I don’t hear (and follow) that rule at EVERY concert I shoot. The dude said that if we used flash, Trent would most likely flip out and start throwing things off the stage at us. Umm, okay… Needless to say, we all came out of there just fine. I found it quite ironic that while NIN was on the verge of causing epileptic seizures amongst fans, the band (aka Trent Reznor) was concerned about camera flashes bombarding themselves (i.e. himself). Anyway, I had a great time watching Nine Inch Nails for the second time in my life. Being a few feet away from such a musical genius (Reznor) was pretty awesome. I can only wish to be half as gifted and talented as that dude. More photos of NIN after the jump!

Robin Finck (guitar)

Justin Meldal-Johnsen (bass)

*Not photographed: Ilan Rubin (drums)

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