This concert was planned all the way back in June when I purchased the early bird tickets the moment they became available (and getting confirmation from Ash and Niki). Now I wouldn’t really call myself a big fan of Nine Inch Nails, but am aware and have been exposed to much of their musical influence during the 90’s era. Furthermore, this was going to be frontman Trent Reznor’s very last tour, and was our last chance to catch the ‘Godfather of Rock‘ in the flesh.

Ash touching down on the Singapore’s shores two days early heralded some major partying to come as a prelude to the big concert.

Day 1 – Brewerkz, China One and Insomnia

Took Ash down to Brewerkz at Riverside Quay for dinner and to meet up with some old schoolmates from a lifetime ago. Boonchareon aka Mr. Large Libido who has been in Singapore for the last 11 years, plus Chee Mun, whom I’ve always thought of as a decent and studious dude back in school.

BBians Reunited!

We opened a bottle at China One, and drank and danced away to Tabula (for some strange reason, I keep finding myself back at this place again and again). Gerardine and Yvonne dropped by to party with us after their dinner too.

Yvonne & Gerardine

The bottle got drained, and we head out to Insomnia at Chijmes for even MORE partying. Boon opened a 2nd bottle of whiskey, while we went crazy gyrating, moshing and fist pumping to the other rock band here.

Boon's Entourage

Ash, Yvonne, Chee Mun and Gerardine

Happily drunk.. and Ash taking full advantage of it..

There were 2 different bands who played at Insomnia and they actually executed their covers pretty well. The awesome thing was how they eventually regressed to some marvelous 90’s rock (Metallica, Nirvana) near the end, the head-banging material of our generation.

Me and Gerardine had to send a drunk and cute Yvonne back to her apartment.. Along the way, she actually yelled to to the cab driver “Unkle unkle! You must give discounts to my friends here you know.. You see they are so nice to send me back! Give them discount k?” Paiseh betul haha .

Day 2 – Tapas Tree, The Rupee Room and Attica

Got to meet Ash’s uni friend Wu Tian (a kindred spirit into similar interests – books, games, movies), and his entourage of some fun-loving gorgeous ladies – Ida, Sharlane and LeRaine. We settled at The Tapas Tree in Clarke Quay for some light dinner, and then spontaneously decided to bring Ash to a bhangra club aka The Rupee Room .

Ash and his bevy of beauties

Ash bought all of us a round of shots – and the shots were HUGE! And this was when it started to go really wacko for me – as I’m not quite a drinker you see..

Wu Tian, Ash, Sharlane, Leraine & She-Man

There was this big-sized tranny that followed us into The Rupee Room and seemed to hover around Sharlane and Ash. It kinda kept me on alert, lest he/she decides to pull something unexpected. Once when we were on the dance floor, there was this over-enthusiastic bhangra dancer vigorously dancing near us. As he was pretty amusing, we pointed him out to our friends and smiled. The tranny must have thought the dancer was invading our space, for he/she actually took the guy by the waist and shoved him away! Imagine the shock on our faces lol.

Sharlane driving us boys a little crazy

The Three Stooges

That’s us three, utterly wasted. We were singing Bon Jovi songs out loud + arguing over movies (like who is best suited to play Thor) in the cab back to Wu Tian’s place at Bayshore Park. Hooboy, does Wu Tian have a dream condo – filled with all the right kind of books, 50″ TV with PS3, and his very own dedicated poker table. It was the perfect bachelor pad. Had I not just signed my contract for my new HDB in Kallang, I might have considered staying with him .

Day 3 – Nine Inch Nails Wave Goodbye 1989-2009 Tour

The day we have been waiting for – Nine Inch Nails Live in Singapore! Met Ui Hua and his friends near the entrance, and then met up with Lincoln as well before the concert started and we got separated. SHOULD have taken photos with them .

Our NIN Wave Goodbye Tour Tickets

The pre-concert stage. Those are some CRAZY lights!

Ash, Niki and Me

Nine Inch Nails!

Trent Reznor in person

Mr. Francis Wolf!

The concert was a BLAST, as Trent poured all his energy into his act – screaming away and throwing his mic stand around. It was fortunate that he played most of his biggest hits from The Downward Spiral and The Fragile as I didn’t know most of his newer songs. Just a tinge of regret that I did not go closer to the stage to mosh to some of his more energetic tracks..

And there you have it – the long Singapore National Day weekend comes to a close, and back to work I go.. The fun has yet to end though, as Mei will arrive 2 days after this for Lady Gaga while I plan my Keane concert away…