live music
live review
NINE INCH NAILS + COLD CAVE
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wed 21 May
words IAN ROGERS
There was a palpable buzz of excitement as I approached the venue. People
of all ages were there to see their heroes, Nine Inch Nails, who have been
concocting their brand of razor-sharp, challenging, superb music for over 25
years. Almost everyone was dressed in black in tribute (I felt embarrassingly
overdressed in my mustard trousers), and there was a real sense of family
among the fans.
Before the main event however, there was opening act Cold Cave, brainchild
of former American Nightmare vocalist Wesley Eisold. Seemingly taking this
responsibility in their stride, Cold Cave’s music is a thumping mix of darkwave
and heavy synth-based electronica, and was perfect for setting the dark and
foreboding tone that pumped through the veins of the whole evening.
When Trent Reznor and his band did step out on to stage, it was to an
almighty roar from the crowd. They opened with Copy Of A from latest
album, Hesitation Marks. The song built from a slow and steady beginning,
adding layer upon layer until we were faced with a wall of exhilarating noise,
and from then on it was a master class in live performance. From the set list,
to the sound, to the lighting, it was a perfect performance by all concerned.
You never realise how important lighting is until you’re witness to a light
show of this standard. It enhanced the show no end, adding atmosphere to
the quieter moments and extra adrenaline when things got heavier.
Choosing a setlist from such a vast back catalogue must be tricky, but Reznor
nailed it. The classics you’d expect were all present; Head Like A Hole, Closer
and March Of The Pigs all stood out, as well as more recent favourites, but
everything sounded like a classic, such was the musicianship on show.
As expected, Reznor closed the set with Hurt, his ode to self-deprecation and
pain that can only come from hitting absolute rock bottom. Watching him sing
“Beneath the stains of time, the feelings disappear / You are someone else, I
am still right here,” you can see that every time he does, those stains of time
are peeled back to expose that raw nerve, and that is art in its purest form.
monday 16
Ddraigstock Royal Welsh
College Of Music & Drama,
Cardiff. 7.15pm, £8/£3. Info
029 2039 1391. Recitals from
members of Ddraig, who I
assume are a classical ensemble of some kind.
Hackensack Jazz Jam
Café Jazz, Cardiff. 9pm, £2/
free for performers. Info 029
2038 7026.
Jeffrey Lewis & The Jrams
+ Quiet Marauder + Rob
The Liar The Moon Club,
Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info
[email protected].
Jeffrey Lewis, given the perhaps unwanted title of ‘king of
antifolk’, has played Cardiff a
good few times over the years,
and is here with his new band
for the first time.
The Collective Dempseys,
Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. Info 029
2023 9253.
The Slow Death + Epic
Problem + Twisted +
Deadlines Le Pub, Newport.
8pm, £5 adv. Info 01633
221477. Punk rock all the way.
Titan Chamber Orchestra
Royal Welsh College Of Music
& Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm,
£5/£3. Info 029 2039 1391.
Ukulele Jam Session The
Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.
8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021
2509.
TUESday 17
Afternoon Concert With
Cornelius Meister Wales
Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Bay. 2pm, £10.50-£13.50. Info
029 2063 6464. Also featuring
Zhang Zuo on piano.
Arek Mazurek Trio St
Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of
Glamorgan. 3-4pm, £6.50. Info
01446 779100. Jazz guitarist.
A Welsh Kaleidoscope Royal
Welsh College Of Music &
Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£3.
Info 029 2039 1391. A concert
featuring a selection of works
written by Welsh composers
from the 20th and 21st century.
Bone Appétit Royal Welsh
College Of Music & Drama,
Cardiff. 7.15pm, £5/£3. Info
029 2039 1391. Trombone
quartet.
Bright Light Bright Light
Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm,
£5-£10. Info 0300 3656677.
Rod aka BLBL was born in
Neath, so I guess that’s partly
why he’s playing here. See
Upfront.
Community Samba Band –
Practise Dates Westenders
Hall, Llanfaes, Brecon. 6-8pm,
£4/£2 under-16s. Info
[email protected].
Jaleo Flamenco Borough
Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm,
£14/£12. Info 01873 850805.
Kevin Figes Octet Dempseys,
Cardiff. 8pm, £7/£5. In