Nine Inch Nails Open a New Chapter on the Peel It Back Tour

Nine Inch Nails have officially launched the second North American leg of their Peel It Back Tour, and they did it in unmistakable fashion with a commanding opening night at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center.

Peel It Back Tour

Led by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the touring lineup also features longtime collaborators Robin Finck (guitar) and Josh Freese (drums), alongside new bassist Stuart Brooks. Together, the group delivers one of the most ambitious and visually striking live productions of their career.

A Four-Act Experience Built for Total Immersion

Rather than relying on traditional LED walls, the Peel It Back Tour unfolds as a four-act live experience designed to pull the audience directly inside the music. Translucent fabric, layered projections, raw handheld video, and sculptural lighting create a three-dimensional atmosphere that feels more like experimental theater than a standard arena show.

The production was conceived by Reznor with creative director Todd Tourso and MTLA.studio, alongside returning lighting designer Paul “Arlo” Guthrie. The result is a show that preserves Nine Inch Nails’ signature intensity while pushing their visual language into bold, unfamiliar territory.

Rare Songs and Deep Cuts Set the Tone

The opening act immediately set expectations high. Reznor took the b-stage alone for a haunting solo performance of “Something I Can Never Have,” before being joined by the full band for a rare outing of “Non-Entity”—played live for the first time in 17 years.

Later in the night, longtime collaborator Boys Noize returned as both opener and onstage guest, joining the band during Act 3 for live versions of “Vessel,” “Closer,” and the seldom-played “Parasite.” That section of the show culminated with a powerful performance of the GRAMMY®-winning “As Alive As You Need Me To Be,” one of the band’s most recent creative high points.

A Tour With Serious Momentum

The Peel It Back Tour continues across North America with upcoming stops in Jacksonville, Charlotte, Washington, DC, Boston, Montreal, Dallas, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, and more, before wrapping up March 16 in Sacramento.

The current run builds on massive momentum from the band’s sold-out 2025 dates, which drew over 450,000 fans across Europe, the UK, and North America. Critics have been nearly unanimous in their praise, with outlets calling the show a “multi-sensory spectacle,” a “visual masterpiece,” and one of the most innovative live productions in modern touring.

Beyond the Stage

Last year, Nine Inch Nails released TRON: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), marking the band’s first full film score and debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart. The project expanded on Reznor and Ross’s already celebrated work in film scoring, which has earned them multiple Oscars, GRAMMYs, Golden Globes, and an Emmy.

More than three decades after forming in 1988, Nine Inch Nails continue to redefine what a live band—and a live show—can be. The Peel It Back Tour doesn’t just revisit their legacy; it actively reshapes it in real time.

For tickets and full tour details, visit nin.com.