Nine Inch Nails Launch 2026 Tour in New Orleans with New Bassist and Career-Spanning Setlist

Industrial icons Nine Inch Nails kicked off the 2026 leg of their acclaimed “Peel It Back” tour on Thursday night, delivering a 21-song masterclass at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center.

The performance served as a grand opening for the winter North American trek, revealing a revamped lineup and a setlist that balanced massive hits with deep cuts not performed in nearly two decades.
A New Face on Stage

The biggest news of the night was the debut of the band's new touring bassist, Stu Brooks. Known for his work with Danny Elfman, Perry Farrell, and Matisyahu, Brooks takes over the mantle from long-serving member Alessandro Cortini. While no official reason was given for Cortini’s departure, Brooks expressed his enthusiasm for the role, telling Bass Magazine it was a "huge honor" to join Reznor's ranks.
Setlist Rarities and Reinventions

Trent Reznor, sporting a striking white outfit, led the band through a production that utilized the "Main Stage" and an intimate "B-Stage" setup. The evening opened with a haunting tour debut of "Something I Can Never Have," which included a subtle snippet of Depeche Mode's "Stripped."

Fans were also treated to the first performance of the rarity "Non-Entity" since 2009. The middle section of the show featured a collaboration with opening act Boys Noize, including a cover of How to Destroy Angels’ "Parasite" and a heavy-hitting version of "Closer."
Looking Ahead to Coachella

The "Peel It Back" tour continues through mid-March, culminating in a show in Sacramento, California. However, the most anticipated dates on the horizon are the band's upcoming sets at Coachella in April. Under the moniker "Nine Inch Noize," the group is expected to lean further into their electronic and industrial collaborations with Boys Noize.

Winter 2026 Setlist - New Orleans:

B-Stage: Something I Can Never Have, Non-Entity, Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)

Main Stage: Wish, March of the Pigs, Reptile, Heresy, Copy of A, Gave Up

Collaboration (w/ Boys Noize): Vessel, Closer, Parasite (HTDA cover), As Alive as You Need Me to Be

Finale: Somewhat Damaged, The Perfect Drug, I'm Afraid of Americans (Bowie cover), The Hand That Feeds, Head Like a Hole, Hurt

Tickets for the remaining dates of the North American tour are currently on sale.

Check out https://gigtracklive.com for more tour dates