Trent Reznor, Kanye West
[Photos by: Corinne Schiavone, David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons]

Trent Reznor says Kanye West ripped off NIN's live show

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor claims fellow artists Kanye West and the Weeknd have “blatantly rip[ped] off” of his longtime industrial rock outfit’s live stage production. This, according to a recent BBC Music 6 interview with the musician.

Read more: Watch Nine Inch Nails unveil a new song live

Reznor tells the BBC about his obsession with NIN’s live show and “transforming the live venue into as much of an immersive experience as possible,” as covered by Loudwire. But he says he takes issue with some stage production imitators:

“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.”

After all, the NIN mastermind’s drive for a striking live show apparently stems from his drab perception of rock gigs. “Every band has a video playing behind them, and every band is sunk up with a convenient, polite lighting package,” he says.

In that case, are there any live productions the musician is fond of? Apparently, the Cure and the Jesus And Mary Chain are the gigs Reznor says he remembers best. He recalled those linchpin bands’ dizzying displays of smoke and lights.

“All I remember of that was smoke, maybe a color, a little bit of someone’s hair and real, real loud guitars,” Reznor said, as has been noted. “That’s exciting, and I don’t see that happening much.” Watch some of the BBC interview below.

Watch more: Hail The Sun on the music they can’t listen to