The art of the live stage production has been in a constant state of evolution. Nine Inch Nails are renowned for some of the most intense live experiences and now Trent Reznor has accused Kanye West and The Weeknd of lifting his ideas.

“I’d been obsessed with, since the beginning, attempting with whatever resources I had access to, of transforming the live venue into as much of an immersive experience as possible," Reznor told BBC Music 6 in a recent interview (seen below). He noted "screens and experimental production techniques" among the things the band relied on, then recalled watching bands at Coachella and "every band has a video playing behind them, and every band is sunk up with a convenient, polite lighting package."

The Nine Inch Nails mainman went on, "And I saw Kanye West blatantly rip off, and The Weeknd rip off, our tours, production-wise, which I’ll say without any hesitation. And they know."

Reflecting on some influential shows from his youth, Reznor singled out The Cure and Jesus and Mary Chain (for whom NIN opened for) as bands with noteworthy live productions. "All I remember of that was smoke, maybe a color, a little bit of someone’s hair and real, real loud guitars," he said, adding, "That’s exciting, and I don’t see that happening much."

Now, Nine Inch Nails' live shows have headed in the opposite direction, stripping back the immersive experience and technology, preferring the experience of "music being played somewhat sloppily with an element of danger and uncertainty and unpredictability."

The band recently released their new album, Bad Witch, and will promote the record on a U.S. tour which launches in September. This time, Jesus and Mary Chain will be the support act. See a full list of stops here.

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