Trent Reznor's 1994 classic album in focus. A live vinyl album playback and a discussion.

Nialler9 and The Big Romance present Listen Closely, a monthly listening party focusing on one album we love, on the last Wednesday of every month.

Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (1994)

Nine Inch Nails' 1994 second album is a concept record about one man's collapse: through addiction, violence, faith, suicide. Recorded in the Beverly Hills house where the Manson murders happened, the result is an industrial rock classic , a beautiful and brutal descent into self-loathing filtered through abrasive noise, EBM-inspired synth-punk and pop chaos.

Join Nialler9 and guest Dave Hanratty (No Encore) for a discussion about this modern classic record and a playback of the album on vinyl through The Big Romance’s high-quality Toby Hatchett soundsystem. We also chat about the artist’s discography, the album’s context, craft, production, lyrics and why the album matters for a live Nialler9 Podcast episode.

Tickets are limited to 45 for this intimate event.

Become a paid member of the Nialler9 Patreon to get half priced tickets.

Doors: 7:00pm. Arrive early for seats.

Album playback and chat from 7.45pm

Previous albums covered at Listen Closely parties:

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)

Chemical Brothers - Dig Your Own Hole (1997)

Alanis Morrisette - Jagged Little Pill (1995)

Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (2002)

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)

Rosalía - LUX (2025)

DJ Shadow - Endtroducing (1996)

Massive Attack - Mezzanine (1998)

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (2004)

Outkast - Stankonia (2000)

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz (2009)

Jeff Buckley - Grace (1994)

The Prodigy - Music For The Jilted Generation (1994)

LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver (2007)

Kendrick Lamar – good kid M.a.a.d. city (2012)

J DIlla – Donuts (2006)

Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation Of (1998)

The Avalanches – Since I Left You (2001)

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever ago (2007)

The Strokes – Is This It (2001)

Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You (2022)

Boards Of Canada – Music Has The Right To Children (1998)

Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear (2015)

Beastie Boys – Ill Communication (1994)

Fiona Apple – Tidal (1996)

Portishead – Dummy (1994)

Laurie Anderson – Big Science (1982)

Madvillain – Madvillainy (2004)

Sufjan Stevens – Illinois (2005)

Four Tet – Rounds (2003)

Description supplied by the event organiser.