Concerts, Setlist, Video — September 11, 2009 at 12:14 pm

‘This is it’: Trent Reznor retires Nine Inch Nails from the concert stage in Los Angeles

Trent Reznor retired Nine Inch Nails from the concert stage last night in Los Angeles with an epic three-plus-hour, 37-song, guest-filled set at the Wiltern that ended with the frontman alone at his keyboard singing Year Zero’s “In This Twilight.”

Reznor assured fans, however, that he’s not done making music, even under the NIN banner. Early in the show, Spin reports he announced: “This is it. I haven’t had a chance to catch my breath and think about things … I’m kinda sad. But I’m not gonna break down in tears just yet.” Later, during the third encore, Rolling Stone notes Reznor added, “We’re not going to tour anymore as Nine Inch Nails, but we’re all still going to be making music.”

The band — featuring guitarist Robin Finck, bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen and drummer Ilan Rubin — covered the length of NIN’s catalog, hitting early favorites from 1989’s Pretty Hate Machine up through material from this year’s The Slip, which Reznor offered as a free download. The only song perhaps conspicuous in its absence was The Downward Spiral’s “Closer,” NIN’s big crossover alternarock hit in the ‘9os.

As has been customary on NIN’s short run of “Wave Goodbye” farewell club shows, the band was joined by guests; synth pioneer Gary Numan turned up again to perform a trio of his own songs (“Down in the Park,” “Metal,” “I Die: You Die”), while Mike Garson (who played on David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane and NIN’s The Fragile) lent his keyboard skills to several songs.

The band also was joined by producer Atticus Ross (who worked on NIN’s 2000-era albums) and Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, who sat in for “The Warning,” “Piggy” and “Gave Up” (and today Twittered: “It was an honor to be there as a guest. I would have been there as a longtime fan, regardless.”) Finally, Dillinger Escape Plan joined Reznor and Co. during the final encore for revved up takes on “Mr. Self Destruct” and “Wish.”

Following that noisefest, Spin reports:

The stage was set for a poignant finish, and Nine Inch Nails did not disappoint. Reznor graciously thanked bandmates and crew, finishing with a aching rendition of “Hurt” and a solemn “In This Twilight.” As the song receded, Reznor’s bandmates, one by one, waved and left the stage, leaving the 44-year-old frontman at the keyboard under a single spotlight, singing “You know none of this is real / You will find a better place / in this twilight.”

And with that, Reznor ended Nine Inch Nails’ 20-year run — at least as a live act.

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DISCUSS: 2009.09.10 – Los Angeles, CA [Wiltern Theater]

See full setlist and live video after the jump…

Setlist: Nine Inch Nails, The Wiltern, Los Angeles, Calif., 9/10/09

“Home”
“Somewhat Damaged”
“The Collector”
“Discipline”
“March of The Pigs”
“Something I Can Never Have”
“The Frail”
“The Wretched”
“Ruiner”
“Head Down”
“Burn”
“Just Like You Imagined” (w/ Mike Garson)
“La Mer” (w/ Garson)
“Eraser” (w/ Garson)
“The Becoming (Still)” (w/ Garson)
“Down In The Park” (Gary Numan cover, w/ Numan & Garson)
“Metal” (Gary Numan cover, w/ Numan)
“I Die: You Die” (Gary Numan cover, w/ Numan)

“1,000,000”
“Letting You”
“Survivalism”
“Suck”
“Down In It”
“The Hand That Feeds”
“Head Like A Hole”

“Me, I’m Not” (w/ Atticus Ross)
“The Warning” (w/ Ross & Dave Navarro)
“Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)” (w/ Navarro)
“Gave Up” (w/ Navarro)

“Mr. Self Destruct” (w/ The Dillinger Escape Plan)
“Wish” (w/ The Dillinger Escape Plan)
“Atmosphere” (Joy Division cover)
“Dead Souls” (Joy Division cover)
“The Good Soldier”
“The Day The World Went Away”
“Hurt”
“In This Twilight”

Video: Nine Inch Nails, “Hurt”/”In This Twilight,” Wiltern, Los Angeles, 9/10/09