Tech issues aside, Nine Inch Nails dominate in a deep-cut heavy O2 show

The third date on the band’s first full-scale tour in three years saw the setlist change again, with Year Zero track "‘The Warning" getting its first live play in a decade and “The Lovers” – from 2017’s Add Violence EP – and With Teeth’s “Only” making their debut in this run of shows

There was nothing from The Fragile in the 20-song set and as with previous shows in Dublin and Manchester, the third act saw the band head to a second stage in the round for a collaboration with tour-support Boys Noize on “The Warning”, “Only” and “Come Back Haunted”.

The show lost some momentum when a mic problem during “Reptile” brought the entire show to a grounding halt , forcing guitarist Robin Finck to pick up the vocals, and Reznor to to fill the space during the final act with band introductions. “We have the world’s most complicated light show, but we get done by a dodgy mic cable,” he told the crowd.

There was a slightly limp take on Bowie’s “I’m Afraid Of Americans” as a result, but a beautifully pissed off “Perfect Drug” - smashed guitar and all – that lead into closer "Hurt". Still one of the 20th century's greatest ever songs, it’s momentum was almost derailed by the tech issues but nothing could spoil the band’s incredible momentum right now, with this incarnation of NIN at the top of their game.

The O2 show was the final date in the UK leg of the tour, with the band now heading across Europe and into festivals, including Nos Alive, Mad Cool and Open’er.

Setlist

Act One (B-Stage)
"Right Where It Belongs"
"Ruiner"
"Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)"

Act Two (Main Stage)
"Wish"
"March of the Pigs"
"Reptile"
"The Lovers" (tour debut)
"Copy of A"
"Gave Up"

Act Three (B-Stage with Boys Noize)
"The Warning" (first performance since 2014)
"Only" (tour debut)
"Came Back Haunted"

Act Four (Main Stage)
"Mr. Self Destruct"
"Heresy"
"Less Than"
"Closer"
"I"m Afraid of Americans" (David Bowie cover)
"The Perfect Drug"
"Head Like a Hole"
"Hurt"