Nine Inch Nails & Boys Noize @ The Honda Center

(03/10/26)

Greetings!

Been trying to say "Yes" more in 2026. Much like my past-self did back in the day. That was my secret sauce which kept my blogging adventures flowing during the early "Bored 4 Music" days. So it literally took less than a minute to response positively when that "out of my blue" text from my friend, "Danger", invited me to see Nine Inch Nails at the Honda Center in Anaheim last month. I knew this probably be my last chance to see this bucket list showcase & something in the cosmos didn't want me to miss it.

Because, if you didn't know, I had concrete plans to see Trent, Atticus, Robin, Josh, and Stu back in November 2025 when the "Peel It Back" Tour stopped at the KIA Forum in Inglewood. However, I chickened out after some rough weeks at work. That's adult life you, know.

So I made the near 2-hour trek through terrible LA traffic to SoCal's Disney Capital on a Tuesday (A School Night for me) for a once in a lifetime event alongside old friends.

We hadn't see a concert or sporting event at the Honda Center in decades when we caught Michael Bublé's memorable show in (2006? 2007-ish? I think?). So their current concert hospitality floored me when I arrived. "What do you mean 'Free Parking'?", saying to myself as I pulled into parking structure. Driving by all the mini-malls on the way in made me think a spot was going to be $20+; due to every sign I saw stating $10. Nope, it was free and they got us out extremely quick after the show had wrapped. Majorly incentivized this concertholic to return in the future. The Honda Center might be a dream arena when they finish their construction expansion.

I wasn't able to meet up with "Danger" & his bestie "Lightbody" at the local tap before the show due to LA's standstill early evening traffic so I explored the inners of the Honda Center. I knew I couldn't dilly-dally for long because the whole show was a 2 hours and 30 minute non-stop experience. Once Boys Noize began his set at 8pm... we were locked in until 10:30pm. No breaks. Just earth shaking musical violence. Don't forget your ear plugs, like this listener did!

And the concert experience was exactly that. Nine Inch Nails didn't even have a long intermission before the final act. Totally respective of all our time.

Made a stop at the bar for a Soda and quickly ran through every floor for a possible, non-crowded, Merchandise booth... which there weren't any sadly. I didn't know hardcore NIN fans were such merch freaks. A full one-hour wait on each floor does sound typical for Anaheim folks though. Made for an easy decision to arrive at my seat a few minutes early and chill.

All the phone photos below were captured from the literal tippy top of the Honda Center. Last row, Nothing but the wall behind us... and it was fantastic! I could stand up during Nine Inch Nails' amazing greatest hits showcase without that voice in the back of my head telling me to sit down all the time. I wasn't impeding anyone's view. (Having my phone camera adds another couple of feet too.) That's all this giant needs to have a good time at a concert. My voice could be used to hoot, holler, and sing-along instead.

Sure the candid photos don't have that professional quality but I love how abstract they turned out. I learned a long time ago that if you can't get the close up... focus on the crowd, ambiance, and environment. Those are the kind of concert photos that survive nicley throughout an age. Capture the room... even from the back of the arena.

Thanks for reading! Big thanks to Danger, Lightbody, (and Bri) for allowing this gallery to exist. Enjoy the candid photos as our busy March 2026 has even more stories to share! More words & pictures soon!