Serena Maneesh - Photo: Aaron Sammut

Serena-Maneesh are somewhat evocative of a tall, blonde and rather Norwegian remix of My Bloody Valentine. Their sound is like sliding through dark molasses and finding the occasional unexpected burst of subdued pop or other musical whimsy along the way. Our headliner’s current Year Zero campaign has created a twisted, paranoid world well-suited to housing Serena-Maneesh’s almost despairing brand of dark social commentary. While they mesh well in mood and ideology with the world of Year Zero, their performance at the Riverstage is a little lacklustre. Low-energy and directionless, it’s almost as if they’re merely tuning up before the main event. Still, as a support band they set the stage, easing the crowd into the evening, laying a path of moody distortion and laid-back darkness for Nine Inch Nails to come through and rip up behind them.

NIN - Photo: Aaron Sammut

Anyway, there’s no point complaining when we we’re being treated to such a great performance of the songs they do play, and even a little rain can’t dampen our excitement. While they belt out Piggy, Trent takes a walk into the audience for some bonding with the fans and sharing the microphone around, although the random guy in the crowd’s vocals aren’t nearly as impressive as hearing a few thousand people sing, “I want to fuck you like an animal!” during Closer. That is an experience we won’t soon forget.

Surprising us by announcing they’re going back to the beginning, the band launch into Down In It. The guitarist throws himself all over the stage and Trent busts out his best rap moves. It’s followed by a heartfelt rendition of Hurt and no amount of Kermit versions can rob this song of its impact; when Trent’s voice breaks in the middle the crowd applauds. Something else we won’t soon forget is the big bloke behind me earnestly yelling, “Piano! Fuck yeah!” As is traditional they finish by playing Head Like A Hole, which practically sets the mosh pit on fire, before making a quick exit.

We get shepherded out by security and now there’s nothing to do but start the long wait for NIN to come back for a full Year Zero tour so we can hear some more of those new songs. Until then, all hail Lord Treznor, Prince of Darkness.

KATHERINE FITZHYWEL & JODY MACGREGOR

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