Nine Inch Nails Resurrect Rare Tracks At Peel It Back Tour Opening Shows

Nine Inch Nails embarked on the European leg of their global Peel It Back Tour, performing at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland and at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. The Trent Reznor-led band significantly altered the setlist between concerts and played several rarely selected songs.

Both shows alternated from a main stage to a secondary stage placed within the audience. The performances were presented through four separate segments with some overlapping consistency between.

Opening night began with three songs not performed by NIN in over 15 years as the show unfolded with “Right Where It Belongs,” “Ruiner” and “Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now).”

The second show in Manchester started with the live debut of “A Minute To Breathe,” Reznor and Atticus Ross’ contribution to the 2016 Before the Flood film soundtrack. Ross is part of the NIN lineup touring with Reznor, playing keyboards alongside guitarist Robin Finck, bassist Alessandro Cortini and drummer Ilan Rubin.

The second section of each concert was an assortment of Nine Inch Nails originals, including “Wish,” “March Of The Pigs,” “Copy of A,” “Reptile” and “Gave Up,” among others.

Both shows featured a third segment that saw Reznor meet up with Boys Noize (DJ/producer Alexander Ridha) at the smaller stage. Night one consisted of remixed versions of “Vessel” (the first since 2014) and “Came Back Haunted” as well as How To Destroy Angels’ “Parasite” (the first since 2018). Reznor and Boys Noize, who is supporting the tour, pulled out “Branches/Bones” on night two (for the first time since 2018) and revisited “Vessel” and “Came Back Haunted.”

The Dublin audience saw a fourth and final set from the main stage made up of standouts “Closer,” “Head Like a Hole” and “Hurt,” as well as cover of “I’m Afraid Of Americans” by David Bowie, plus “Mr. Self Destruct,” “Heresy” and “The Hand That Feeds.”

The next night in Manchester ended with only “Heresy,” “Head Like A Hole” and “Hurt” repeated during the fourth section. The band opted to play “Somewhat Damaged,” “Less Than,” “Survivalism” and “The Perfect Drug” for the finale.

Nine Inch Nails’ Peel It Back Tour continues tonight at O2 Arena in London. Scroll on for extensive, audience-shot footage of the Dublin and Manchester shows.