Around Xmas Trent Reznor updated the official Nine Inch Nails website and mentioned that he might have “a small holiday gift” for fans soon … he then updated the site this week with a message alerting fans that he hadn’t forgotten about his promise and that the gift would be revealed soon. TR just updated NIN.com with news of his gift to the world:

1.7.09: your gift!
The internet is full of surprises these days.
I was contacted by a mysterious, shadowy group of subversives who SOMEHOW managed to film a substantial amount (over 400 GB!) of raw, unedited HD footage from three separate complete shows of our Lights in the Sky tour. Security must have been lacking at these shows because the quality of the footage is excellent.

Oh yeah, you didn’t hear this from me.

The link points to THIS thread in the NIN.com forums that explains in more detail what footage is available. The post suggests that “Novice users might not want to download this just yet” which means that I will not be downloading this 400Gb of raw footage at all. I suspect the more technically inclined NIN fans out there will work their magic and offer up a final product (or products) soon. This is pretty freakin’ amazing … because TR wasn’t allowed by his former record company to release a proper DVD of the Lights in the Sky Tour (which was supposed to be filmed in 3D!!!), this seems like a nice Plan B. I can’t wait to see what will come of this gift to fans.

[Source]

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails updated the official NIN website earlier this week and posted a thank you letter of sorts to all the fans who came out in support of the Lights in the Sky Over North America Tour (and beyond) this year. Speaking directly to the fans themselves, Trent talks a bit about touring plans for 2009 and even mentions the possibility that a “small holiday gift” may be on the way. Here is the full text of Trent’s latest message:

The LIGHTS IN THE SKY era has come to a close, and I’d like to once again thank you for your support. I am very proud of what we pulled off – it was an immense amount of work and worth it all. I’d like to thank Josh and Alessandro for being an integral part of this for the last few years and I wish them all the best. No rest for the wicked here, though. We start rehearsing the new band/format first thing next year and as I mentioned, we’ll be announcing some final waves of dates. North America, UK/Europe, Pacific Rim and elsewhere. Oh yeah – we may have a small holiday gift for you soon. Check back.

As excited as I STILL am over being fortunate enough to have a one-on-one backstage conversation with TR in Las Vegas, NV last weekend I am REALLY excited at the prospect of a “holiday gift” from the man himself. With Trent Reznor you never know what you’re gonna get … it could be a new song, it could be a new album — it could be a You Tube clip of the band doing the dance routine from Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) … er, but it most likely will not be the latter (I think). I will make sure to update news of this “holiday gift” as soon as it is announced.

Additionally, TR and NIN keyboardist Alessandro Cortini are featured in a new Apple promo video for their software program called MainStage:

As far as I can tell, the program was used extensively on the Lights in the Sky Tour and comes highly recommended by the NIN men themselves. After the jump, watch the video clip in full …

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As I mentioned in the previous post (and Twittered all night long last night), I was allowed to meet, hang out with and interview Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails in his backstage dressing room right before the final show of the NIN Lights In The Sky Over North America Tour last night. To say it was a dream come true would not convey the amazingness for me. I was allowed to bring David and Darion backstage with me (David video recorded everything, Darion took tons of pics) and they were integral not only in keeping me from losing my mind and freaking the eff out but also helped with the interview to keep the conversation going for as long as possible. Here are a few of the TONS of pics that Darion snapped thruout my conversation with Trent Reznor last night:

TR was so gracious to give me some time to chat with him … he was so warm and inviting, offering us stuff from his craft services pile (he even had a Power Juicer, like the one that Shar Jackson is spokesperson for) and invited us to make ourselves comfortable. That was impossible for me but I think I did a good job keeping myself together. After the jump, check out my full interview with Trent Reznor where we talked about tour plans for 2009, non-music-related projects in the works — and band camp …

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Okay … so there’s no way I can feasibly write a calm post about my day yesterday … but I’m gonna try. First off, Darion and I spent some time in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino doing a bit of shopping before he, David and I had dinner at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Hotel and Casino. Then we had to make our way to the Planet Hollywood Theater of Performing Arts before the Nine Inch Nails show started because I was allowed to have a short interview with Trent Reznor himself. As you may recall, I was allowed to photograph the NIN LA show a few months ago but because of time constraints was not able to meet up with and thank TR in person afterward. This time, TR made sure that I got some alonetime with him so we set up the interview for before the show. Honestly, I didn’t want to even mention this interview until I actually happened … I was afraid my heart wouldn’t be able to handle the disappointment if something else went wrong. BUT, I’ll get to the interview in a bit.

Here are a few pics that Darion and I snapped of the show last night. NIN ended their Lights in the Sky Over North America Tour here in LV last night and they put on a show that was, as usual, pretty effing unbelievable. Additionally, I’m posting the setlist, courtesy of the Echoing the Sound messageboard:

01. 999,999 [Intro]
02. 1,000,000
03. Letting You
04. Discipline
05. March Of The Pigs
06. Head Down
07. The Frail
08. Closer [The Only Time Breakdown]
09. Gave Up
10. Corona Radiata [Interlude]
11. The Warning
12. The Great Destroyer
13. Ghosts 21
14. Ghosts 28
15. Ghosts 19
16. Piggy [Ghosts]
17. The Greater Good
18. Pinion [Interlude]
19. Wish
20. Terrible Lie
21. Survivalism
22. The Big Come Down
23. Ghosts 31
24. Only
25. The Hand That Feeds
26. Head Like A Hole
—
27. Echoplex
28. Reptile
29. The Good Soldier
30. Hurt
31. In This Twilight [Zero-Sum Outro]

David tends to hate concerts as he usually is never impressed with live productions but he was very impressed with last night’s show. He kept oohing and ahhing and was so taken with the LCD light-show that he jumped online to find out how the whole thing came together in the first place. Needless to say, I loved every minute of this show. Drummer Josh Freese and keyboardist Alessandro Cortini played their last show as members of NIN and Trent Reznor revealed to me in my interview and to the audience from the stage that NIN will carry on as a paired down 4-piece in the coming year — this is awesome news. TR also announced that NIN will RETURN to the US to do more dates starting in April (he mentioned amphitheaters). It was just a fun night, I can’t even begin to describe. I have to give a shout-out to Pink readers Roxanne and Vivianne who I got to run into at the show last night, it was so nice meeting you both. After the jump, check out video of Trent Reznor saying his goodbyes from the stage on the last night of the tour …

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Last night Sarah, Mark and I made the 2 1/2 hour trek out to Western Michigan to see Nine Inch Nails at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI as they tour the US on the second leg of their Lights in the Sky Over North America 2008 Tour. Sarah and I have made the trek to GR many, many times to see NIN, Tori Amos, etc. over the years but this was the first time that Mark came along with us. Along the way, we stopped for a bite to eat at Arby’s (MMMMM) and made it to Grand Rapids in time to catch the opening act Boris on stage. Here are a few pics of NIN that I snapped thruout the night along with the night’s setlist:

11.16.08

Echoplex
The Beginning of the End
The Good Soldier
Hurt
In This Twilight

The show was pretty phenomenal, as usual, but was also plagued with a few technical difficulties and musical errors. Honestly, the mistakes weren’t that noticeable … well, except to me ;) To be honest, I was too preoccupied by a tragic-looking lady who was standing near us and was wearing a red leather outfit from heat to toe (seriously) OH and a scary guy with a creepy mask standing right behind us. Fun times! Trent Reznor, altho not in a very talkative mood, was totally on point and put on an amazing performance. After the show, I managed to snag one of bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen’s guitar picks. Woot!

On the ride home, we got a little bit lost and had to brave the falling snow but it was a very fun night and I’m glad we got to go together. I’m seeing NIN one more time on this second leg of the tour with Darion, Kirsten and Josh in Las Vegas, NV next month.

I believe Tracey and Zakiya are coming over to Sarah and Mark’s so that we can all hang out. It’ll be great to see the little princess again. Oh and the snow keeps falling … I kinda hate it.

Trent Reznor has updated the official Nine Inch Nails website with a message of thanks to all the folks who came out in support of the just completed first leg of the Lights In The Sky Over North America Tour. The full text of his message also offers his opinions on the current political campaign for the US presidency which I’m sure some of you may agree with and some of you may disagree with:

I’d like to thank all of you who attended the first leg of the Lights In The Sky tour. If you missed it, check the schedule – we’ll be playing through the rest of this year. If you’ve seen it, come back – we’ll have some new tricks up our sleeve on this next leg. We’re very proud of this show and it’s been exciting (and quite the challenge) for us to present it to you.

His full message continues behind the cut. After the jump, read the rest of what Trent Reznor has to say to his political-minded fans. As TR says himself, “Nobody wants anyone preaching their opinions at them” so fans of the current Republican administration who are supporting the Republican ticket in the current presidential campaign might not be interested in reading any further …

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Nine Inch Nails played an insanely raucous yet beautiful show at The Forum in Inglewood, CA to close out the first leg of their Lights in the Sky Over North America Tour. I am very pleased to inform that I was invited to photograph the show by the man himself, none other than Trent Reznor. Without going into too many manic details, I received an email from TR earlier this week asking if I would like to come out to see the show. My intense skepticism wouldn’t let me believe that it was really him … but after a short volley of emails with Trent and his assistant, I managed to secure a photo pass to take pics of the show last night. Here are are some of my pics:

I cannot tell you how awesome it was to be up close to the action like I was last night. It was truly an amazing experience, one that I won’t soon forget. The show itself was just … beautiful. I cannot think of a word that so adequately expresses what I saw last night. Sonically, the show was as hard-hitting as ever but visually … I was stunned into silence. The Ghosts portion of the show was riveting … and seeing Nine Inch Nails put down most of their electronic instruments in lieu of more traditional instruments (a stand-up bass, xylophone, etc.) was just remarkable. I will never fully be able to comprehend the level of talent that Trent Reznor and his band bring to the stage night after night, month after month, year after year. Folks, TR has been doing this stuff for about 20 years now … and he hasn’t lost a damn thing. In fact, having seen many NIN shows thruout the ’90s, I contend that he has only gotten better. Truly, this show is amazing. I have to extend my deepest appreciation and thanks to both Trent and his assistant Brett for taking such amazing care of me last night. A million times, thank you!!

In the crowd I got to meet Pink readers Nathan and Stacy, who I got to take a photo with:

As well as some lovely ladies who yelled out to me from the stands. It was really great meeting all of you :)

People, I must urge you to try and see this show when NIN comes back to the US for the second leg of the tour in November, December. It is an experience you don’t want to miss. I know for sure that I will be seeing it at least one more time, maybe two. Click HERE to find out if the boys will be coming your way in the coming months.

This afternoon, I will be at the Paramount Studios Lot for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. I’m not sure what to expect when I get there but I know that MTV is going to turn that mother out as they do year after year. Will Britney Spears surprise us all by performing? I guess we’ll find out in just a few short hours …