NIN Shakes Up Cali
by Gonzo84 on 7/11/09Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre - Chula VistaRating: 5 out of 5I couldn't believe I was on my way to yet another NIN/JA show. The night before I had seen them in Phoenix, AZ at the Cricket Wireless Pavillion, now I was onto see them in Chula Vista. I had only been to California once before, but only to San Fransisco, so this was not only a fun trip to see NIN, but also to see what southern California had to offer, since I've always heard great things. I also planned another day there, the next day after, driving up to a spot on the coast at Dana Point which offered a nice Blues Festival containing hot Blues artists like Keb Mo, Derek Trucks Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and B.B. King. What a weekend. I was so excited to get away from the hot desert and do something original and original this was. The whole way to Cali didn't seem all that bad, I was more worried if my car would even make it. Sometimes I had to turn off the A/C just to make sure that nothing including my car overheating would prevent me from having the time of my life. The night before was so crazy. I didn't expect NIN to be as great as they were since I saw them three times on their last tour for "Lights In the Sky," which was too epic of a tour to beat. This year held a new drummer, a four piece now and less special effects. At the Phoenix show, the party started early and by time NIN got on, I couldn't control myself anymore. I'm one of those crazy cats you see in the audience going nuts and crazy and dancing all over the place just having the time of my life. I hate just sitting there and doing nothing, I don't go to concerts to just sit there. They had played a stellar amazing setlist and was going to be hard to beat, since I thought that was THE greatest show of my life. So after a bit of driving and a lot of nervousness, I finally reach my destination in Chula Vista. This time instead of the Cricket Wireless Pavillions, I was now at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre. I sat out in my car drinking some beers and getting prepared. Street Sweeper Social Club was the opening band featuring Tom Morrello of Rage Against the Machine. The day before I caught the end of their act and it was decent, better than I thought it would be, since I didn't like the recordings they released from the studio work. As I was sitting out in the parkinglot, thinking, contemplating, I had no idea that I had missed a very special presentation of SSSC having Trent Reznor as special guest for an amazing MC5 cover "Kick Out The Jams," which is one of my favorite songs ever. It must've been because Trent's birthday would be the next day, cause that's awesome that he would collaborate on a wonderful and powerful song such as "Kick Out The Jams." I'm still pissed I missed it to partying out in the parkinglot. Once time came around for NIN to hit the stage, I made my way to the Amphitheatre. I couldn't wait for what was instore. I didn't care what they played since the night before had given me so much already. The lights went down and the band came out. Playing "Home" like they did in Phoenix, but still an amazing way to start off a show, a very soft and subtle song with a lot heart. The crowd was so so, there wasn't as many people as I thought would be there. I ran to the front of the middle of the lawn and conquered my spot. I couldn't resist and got just as nuts as I did the night before. I didn't care, "I'm in California" I thought, it's time to get wild. I didn't no anybody else doing anything that could beat would I was doing at that time. The first few songs were sort of main to the setlists, but still rocking, from the rocking "1,000,000" to "March Of The Pigs." It wasn't til "Metal" was played that I realized I was at an amazing show. The crowd didn't seem to respond well to NIN, at least as much as I was. Maybe it's because I actually traveled and wanted to be there and didn't look at the show as just some concert, but more of an Event. I had people come up to me and telling me "Man, you're really into the music..." well, yeah, I thought, isn't that what I'm here for? "Metal" was beautiful and a nice blend into the setlist. It just seemed like the songs kept getting better and better after that. "The Becoming" sent me for the Hills, that was the first song that I ever got into from NIN and the performance was too hot! How could you top that song, oh wait a minute, Trent just did by performing "Burn," which is one of my all time favorite songs. I've completely lost it by this point. "I'm Afraid Of Americans," a song that Reznor produced or remixed for that matter with David Bowie came out of the woodworks and shocked the hell out of me. It seemed like Trent is doing what he wants which makes me so happy. Hearing songs like "Closer" are always nice, but the rare material is where it is at. I literally thought that Bowie might come out for this one, but it was only a dream, sadly it was just the NIN boys, but they still tore the house down with the song. I remember though it wasn't til "La Mer" played that I realized that this show is definitely the show of my life. "La Mer" is such a beautiful song that anybody and I mean anybody can listen to and feel the music. It's rhthym is so heartbound and touches the soul, I feel as if I'm walking down the French Quater of New Orleans on a cool morning sunrise. I had a friend whom I went with to the show in Phoenix, he wanted to hear that song the most and told me if they play that song to call him. So once the piano chords to "La Mer" started playing and I was actually able to calm and get a handle on myself, I dialed him up. Of course it went straight to his voicemail, but I left a message, first telling him I made it to the show and how great it was going, I then told him that he would never believe what song they are playing right now and before I raised my phone, I said "here you go man, it's just for you..." as I raised my phone the song shifts into gear and peaks at that ultimate point when the drums kick in and the song kicks into overdrive. Just a great moment. The rest of the show went on and was absolutely amazing. Playing a lot more favorites, but the fact that I saw these songs performed live along with the songs from the night before gave me and everything and more to be satisfied and will definitely be hard to beat as for shows. I'm an avid Deadhead and have gone to hundreds of shows and have attended quite a few major Festivals around the country and to say that these few shows were the greatest in my life says a lot. Of course NIN closes out with "Hurt" which is really the only way to end a NIN show. Something for them to "Wave Goodbye." I then went to get some water to refresh myself after losing it for 2hrs. I came back for Janes Addiction and while they were alright the night before, in my mind, it's still impossible to follow a band like NIN. The night before we ended up leaving early. Janes Addiction had a good sound, but it wasn't something that could top the energy and power that NIN brought to the table. It seemed like there were more Janes Addiction fans at this show then NIN fans, so of course that was the problem missing from the experience I just had. The crowd got packed tight and I just sat down to rest. The show was the basic setlist of Janes Addiction hits. They sounded good, but I just couldn't believe how much the audience was getting into the music as much as they were, cause they weren't doing that for NIN. The songs reminded me of more of a toned down Rush style. Just a lot of progression and Perry Farrell, although still genious, screaming. Maybe I was just tired from my dancing and partying to NIN, but I just couldn't get into Janes Addiction as much. I stayed for the whole show, mostly cause I drove all that way, but also I needed to come down before I even begin to hit the road and I did. Janes Addiction sobered me up pretty quickly and by the end of the show I was ready to go. The audience though were so into and just vibing off the music that Janes had to offer. I was contemplating on whether to go out to Dana Point that night, or wait til the morning when there is light, but decided to just drive through the night. Which ended up being a big mistake. I ended going three hours out of my way getting lost and caught onto the wrong exits. It was frustrating and almost ruined my time that night. I finally found my way though and got to Dana Point safely and soundly. The next morning I got ready and was not feeling well due to two nights of Extreme Music and NIN. Would this even be worth it now, I mean if Janes Addiction wasn't good enough, how will a little blues be all that great. I was thinking that til I got the beach and found myself in awe and realizing that those feelings were ridiculous. To wake up on a Sunday morning on a beautiful California beach to the sound of the Blues is the best way to end such a great weekend.