Nine Inch Noize's Coachella Set Hailed as One of the Festival's Best

The industrial-electronic collaboration between Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize wowed crowds with a stripped-down, high-intensity performance.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:13am

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An abstract close-up image of shattered mirrored disco ball fragments reflecting bright stage lights, conveying the high-energy, industrial-electronic fusion of the Nine Inch Noize performance.The Nine Inch Noize collaboration blended Nine Inch Nails' raw alt-rock with Boys Noize's twisted techno for a mesmerizing Coachella performance.Indio Today

When Coachella announced the surprise collaboration between industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails and German producer Boys Noize, dubbed Nine Inch Noize, many were skeptical. But the group's Saturday night set at the Sahara stage is being hailed as one of the greatest performances in Coachella history, a technical and artistic feat that stripped away excess for a mesmerizing, high-intensity show.

Why it matters

The Nine Inch Noize project represented an unexpected pairing that proved to be a perfect match, blending Nine Inch Nails' raw alt-rock sound with Boys Noize's twisted, deep house-techno production. The result was a performance that pushed the boundaries of what festival audiences expect, delivering an immersive, minimalist experience that left many wondering why the collaboration hadn't happened sooner.

The details

The stage production featured a steep gray hill with massive screens behind it, as Reznor, Ross, and Ridha faced each other in a half-circle with their gear laid out. Discomfiting dancers in monochrome leotards crawled up the hill as the trio launched into an abrasive remix of 'Vessel,' with Reznor's partner Mariqueen Maandig dueting on vocals. The performance focused on reworked versions of Nine Inch Nails classics, like a slow-build take on 'Copy of A' and a celestial remix of 'Heresy,' as well as a punishing rendition of 'Closer' that saw Reznor ascend the hill only to be clawed at by the dancers.

  • The Nine Inch Noize collaboration was announced as part of the 2026 Coachella lineup last year.
  • The group's set took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Sahara stage.

The players

Nine Inch Nails

An influential industrial-alternative rock band formed in the 1980s, known for their dark, abrasive sound and innovative approach to music and live performance.

Boys Noize

The stage name of German-Iraqi electronic music producer Alex Ridha, known for his twisted, deep house-techno sound.

Trent Reznor

The founder and frontman of Nine Inch Nails, renowned for his intense vocal delivery and songwriting.

Atticus Ross

Reznor's longtime creative partner, who has also found success as a film score composer alongside him.

Mariqueen Maandig

Reznor's life partner, who joined the Nine Inch Noize performance to duet on vocals.

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What they’re saying

“The brilliance of the Nine Inch Noize project lies in its less-is-more approach, focused on intentional movement over empty stylistic flourishes.”

— Paula Mejia, Author

What’s next

Nine Inch Noize is expected to announce additional festival and tour dates in the coming months, as anticipation builds for the group to bring their acclaimed Coachella set to wider audiences.

The takeaway

The Nine Inch Noize collaboration proved that even veteran acts can still push the boundaries of their sound and deliver a truly innovative, genre-blending performance that captivates festival crowds. The stripped-back, high-intensity show demonstrated the power of minimalism and intentionality in live music.