Tom Morello: Nine Inch Nails “Slayed” at the 1991 Lollapalooza Round.

The Rage Against The Car

Tom Morello stated that Nine Inch Nails “kicked everyone’s ass” during the first round of Lollapalooza in 1991.

• READ MORE: Brief story Lollapalooza, from touring carnival to a global network of festivals

Origins Of A Legendary Festival

The first edition of this annual tour, held in the 90s, concluded its journey in Chicago in 2005. It was originally inspired by Jane’s Addiction, a band founded by the event’s creator, Perry Farrell.

This iconic lineup featured a mix of talents, including Siouxsie and the Banshees, Living Colour, Ice-T & Body Count, Butthole Surfers, Rollins Band, and of course, Nine Inch Nails in a mid-afternoon slot.

At that time, Nine Inch Nails had just released their debut album, *Pretty Hate Machine*, which may have made them seem less significant. However, as Morello revealed in a new book chronicling the history of Lollapalooza, Nine Inch Nails ended up stealing the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9xp-dluqmq

“This is the first Lollapalooza? Let’s not mince words: Nine Inch Nails blew everyone away,” said Morello in LOLLAPALOOZA: Extra, the history of the wildest festival of alternative rock, by Richard Bienstok and Tom Bozhur. “I had never heard of this band. I wasn’t a fan of any cassette that featured keyboards, except for Pink Floyd.”

“I went to their show in Los Angeles, and the very next day, I rushed out to buy *Pretty Hate Machine*. They did what concerts are meant to do—convert new fans. And I was one of them.”

• READ MORE: Each LOLLAPALOOZA poster since 1991

Impact On Fans And Musicians

This sentiment was echoed by Jane’s Addiction’s guitarist, Dave Navarro, in the book. “Seeing Nine Inch Nails at Lollapalooza was one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve ever had, possibly up until that moment,” he stated. “Here was a brand-new band with a completely fresh sound performing at four in the afternoon, under bright sunlight… And every day I was there at four.”

“As the band started to play and Trent Reznor took the stage, I swear it felt like Elvis or The Beatles… You could hear girls going wild. It was reminiscent of those old Beatles footage where you could hear the screams and feel the anticipation in the crowd.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAAWGCDDPMKG

Further in the book, it was revealed that Farrell intended to share a massive burrito with all the festival-goers at each stop of the inaugural 1991 tour. At one point, Nine Inch Nails’ equipment “literally melted in the heat,” as it was connected to “one electrical outlet” at the venue.

Nine Inch Nails will embark on a tour across the UK, Europe, and North America later this summer, marking their first live performances together since 2022, supported by Nu Metal boys. Check the complete list of dates here and find any remaining tickets Here.

Meanwhile, this year’s Lollapalooza will take place from July 31 to August 3, featuring headliners like Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Korn, A.P. Rocky, Tyler, The Creator, and Gracie Abrams.