Nine Inch Nails @ Carling Academy

The smoke machines have already overworked themselves for several minutes before Nine Inch Nails emerge on the stage as silhouettes, leaving anyone further than five metres from the stage guessing as to what exactly is going on. Opening with Mr Self Destruct, the weight of experience behind Reznor and his band is immediately obvious: they hold the audience by an iron grip, making this sell-out crowd dance and scream exactly where and when they want us to. The stage setup is thrifty but effective, featuring red lines at the back and spotlights (clad in an industrial/Chinese style) hanging from the roof - slightly recalling a hi-tech recording studio. Of the highlights, set staple Closer is delivered with goosebump inducing fervour. Trent, only a few metres away from these eyes, blocks a spotlight from below with his hands, sweating, screaming that infamous line: "I want to fuck you like an animal," - looking more devilish than you previously thought possible. Tonight NIN leave the crowd hungry for more: as with any special occasion, this show is over far too quickly. [Charlotte Rodenstedt]