NINE INCH NAILS – THE O2 ARENA, LONDON 18.6.25
This past week, Nine Inch Nails launched their highly anticipated ‘Peel It Back Tour 2025’ with the first three shows of the 41-date global run taking place at the 3Arena in Dublin, Co-op Live in Manchester, and The o2 Arena in London. The tour introduces one of the band’s most ambitious productions to date: a four-act experience rooted in classic NIN style but reimagined through cutting-edge design.
Since the beginning of their career, Nine Inch Nails have been known for their incredible live show and inspired visuals. For this tour, Trent Reznor worked alongside creative director Todd Tourso and MTLA.studio. Joining them is long time NIN lighting designer, Paul “Arlo” Guthrie. The show features raw, handheld cinematography and immersive visuals projected onto translucent fabric—foregoing traditional LED panels and video screens in favour of a 3D, multi-layered environment unlike anything fans have seen before.
Each night is unique, with an evolving setlist that spans the band’s robust 37-year catalogue. Over the first three shows, the set has opened with a rare, intimate, reimagined set on the B-stage, including powerful renditions of ‘Right Where It Belongs’, ‘Piggy’ (first live performances since 2009), and ‘That’s What I Get’ (first live performance since 1991).
The full band then took over the main stage for Act 2, delivering high-energy performances of fan favorites like ‘March Of The Pigs’ and ‘Reptile’ while sweeping visuals cascaded across the layers of fabric. Act 3 featured a return from tour opener Boys Noize, who joined the band for renditions of ‘Vessel’ (first live performance since 2014), ‘Came Back Haunted’ (first performance since 2018), and ‘Branches/Bones’—bringing a techno-driven energy reminiscent of a Boiler Room set.
The final act saw the band return to the main stage, performing against a towering wall of light and closing the night with NIN classics ‘Head Like A Hole’, (Trent Reznor smashed his guitar at the end), ‘The Perfect Drug’, ‘Closer’, and more. The energy of the crowd was unmatched, as the band transformed The O2 into an entirely new world for one unforgettable night.
The ‘Peel It Back Tour’ continues this Friday 20th June in Cologne, Germany at Lanxess Arena, ahead of additional stops across Europe in Milan, Zurich, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, and more. The North America leg kicks off on Wednesday 6th August in Oakland, California at Oakland Arena and will feature shows in Denver, Chicago, Toronto, Brooklyn, Houston and more before wrapping up on Friday 19th September in Los Angeles at Kia Forum.
The o2 Arena, London 18.6.25 setlist:
Act 1 (B-Stage):
‘Right Where It Belongs’ (piano acoustic; with ‘Somewhat Damaged’ outro snippet)
‘Ruiner’ (partially acoustic version)
‘Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)’
Act 2 (Unpeeled Main Stage):
‘Wish’
‘March Of The Pigs’
‘Reptile’ (sung mainly by Robin Finck due to problems with Trent’s mic)
‘The Lovers’ (tour debut)
‘Copy Of A’
‘Gave Up’
Act 3 (B-Stage with Boys Noize):
‘The Warning’ (with Boys Noize) (first performance since 2014)
‘Only’ (with Boys Noize) (tour debut)
‘Came Back Haunted’ (with Boys Noize)
Act 4 (Peeled Main Stage):
‘Mr. Self Destruct’
‘Heresy’
‘Less Than’
‘Closer’ (with ‘The Only Time’ interpolation)
‘I’m Afraid Of Americans’ (David Bowie cover)
‘The Perfect Drug’
‘Head Like A Hole’
‘Hurt’
I think we were at different gigs!
Sat on level 3
Sound and lighting wasn’t great
Click track failing
Band didn’t seem to engage with the audience. Played behind that curtain for half the set
The band had made the venue turn all the lights off. Normally. You’d get some lights so you can see where to go
Best gig I’ve ever seen was NIN astoria 1991. This was one of the worst.
That’s disappointing. I’m sure they’ll iron out the kinks eventually.