Nailed

“They want another kind of whisky."

Pavan Gidvani is marching back and forth backstage of the Araneta Coliseum, getting things done. Apparently, one of the bands performing in tonight’s show is unhappy with the beverage provided them. Amidst the numerous large crates of sound system equipment, a giant crucifix hangs discreetly back, its purpose here explained by a poster indicating that masses or religious gatherings are held every Sunday. Pavan’s doing his part to make tonight’s Nine Inch Nails concert a success. He told me earlier that he really didn’t have to do much. His responsibilities had been taken care of earlier in they day, even days, weeks earlier. But as these things go, there’s always some loose end unraveling somewhere. He’s just one head of four sprouting from the body that is splintr.com – a Filipino, online music video channel. They’re formally, finally launching their site by coaxing NIN to bring their Wave Goodbye tour over to Araneta on August 5. It’s a big deal that, in a just world, should have caused the earth to tremble. It is Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, one of the musical forces that turned the underground, alternative scene into the mainstream. Reznor has declared that the band will no longer be playing live shows and one of their final musical stops will be the musical desert that is here. People start streaming in around 6PM. It’s a good age range. These are mostly kids; goateed, soul-patched, dread-locked, Beavis and Butt-head laughing kids. “Mostly" since some others look old enough to have been around when NIN's first album came out in 1989. There are women outfitted in heels, short dresses, fully-made up, one wearing what looks like fishnet stockings but only functioning as kneepads. Truly, these are the offspring of the concert promoters. It turns out Pavan has a day job; he’s a banker. “Obviously, we’d like to play videos of some of the bands that are signed up to [music company] labels," he says, elaborating on the splintr.com’s raison d’etre. “Of course, it’s difficult because of copyright issues and things like that." So splintr’s concentrating on indie bands who need a venue and could use a hand. “We are making money through ad revenue," he explains. “Enough to keep it running. We also have a lot of pocket concerts. We’re also going into content partnerships. The money that we make we share with the bands because these independent bands don’t make any. Sometimes during their gigs, all they get is gas money." “And what better way to launch an indie music video channel than with an independent act like Nine Inch Nails." Apparently, their management said that they’ve always wanted to come here. No one has ever asked, perhaps fearing that NIN is too much on the edge that it wouldn’t be economically viable. Splintr.com asked around and figured it just wasn’t so. There are chairs at Araneta Coliseum. They look like folding chairs. That’s a bit worrying. Rock concerts can get a little rough with a lot a slamming and roughhousing going on. Hurled chairs? An ominous sign. “I wouldn’t say that these are a specifically chair throwing people," reassures Jasmin Gidwani-Cabrera, Pavan’s sister and fellow splintrer. “They’re a little older. A lot of the tickets sold were the more expensive ones." The caveat to this however is that if things got a little rowdy well maybe that makes for a better concert. As opening act Pupil get on stage people are still filing in. It’s a short set, no more than half an hour. Ushers with flashlights are checking tickets and are leading people to the indicated seats. Ely Buendia's voice is the mating call that triggers a rush towards the stage. A mild-mannered, polite rush. Once there, arms are raised, mobile phone camera lights pin prick the darkness. This is rivaled only by the multitude vendors’ blinking, red cap-lights. They’re hawking everything from water to pizzas. Things further fizzle when burly security men intimidate the kids back to their seats. It takes a while but finally there they are. There he is – the all black clad Trent Reznor; long-faced sharp-nosed, beady-eyed, close cropped hair, arms bulging. Immediately it’s harsh, driving, frenetic, gut-wrenching. “Somewhat Damaged" may start quietly, but all too soon erupts into this sonic boom that pushes the air out of lungs. The lights flash and move. The band is at full acceleration, a shell blasted out cannon. They’re kicking down amps, the base player’s doing a Jimmy Hendrix on his amp. Mic stands are kicked over and go flying into the air. It’s just the first song of twenty-five. Now there really is a push forward. There are rows of chairs, and though there’s no hurling, they’re ignored. Those who can, push up against the barrier before the stage. The concert Gestapo have thankfully backed-off. A glance up at the nose-bleed section reveals that the place isn’t filled. But even those few people up there are bright faced and eager. They too are drawn forward, up on their feet against the upper railings. This is a roomful of fans. NIN puts on a show that is pure raw emotion. It’s interesting to see the difference between the live, human drummer and the drum machine. How much more, on a live performance, guitars are more prominent. However, these are technical aspects which are really beside the point. This is Trent Reznor and his band communing on a gut level with his audience. They just love each other. And it’s a beautiful sight. Whenever, NIN gets in to its songs, the crowd’s anticipated it and are pogoing in unison, hands in the air. There are some off moments where energy slackens a little. A cover of David Bowie’s “I’m Afraid of Americans" perplexes the kids a little. Perhaps they’re not too familiar with the video with Trent and David (help, Slpintr!). There wasn’t much banter from Reznor. There is the periodic Elvis-like “thank you." At one point he declares that at last they get to the Philippines with the expected response. The most telling and moving portion was the encore. After a bone-crushing delivery of “Head Like a Hole", NIN closes the show on the downbeat of “Hurt". It’s a quiet song of self-loathing and drug addiction. Everyone sang-along (as Filipino’s are wont to do) and their voices reverberated with immediacy. “You can have it all/My empire of dirt/I will let you down/I will make you hurt." With everyone howling and hands up held high, Nine Inch Nails give a surprising affectionate wave goodbye to the audience. You could have sworn Reznor looked you in the eye and waved back. A few days later, I get a one word message from Pavan – “epic." And some of us are still having fun. Photo credit: last.fm