Coconuts has exclusive news from promoter Viji Corp about the much-hyped August 14 Nine Inch Nails (NIN) gig in Bangkok. Sixty percent of the tickets sold to the band’s only show in Southeast Asia have been purchased by people living overseas.
Apparently, the American industrial rock act has not lost the cult-like following it amassed during the ‘90s.
We spoke to Viji’s Joon Tatsupha, who said, “This is the first time that international audiences from many places are buying tickets. They are not only [local] expats but people from Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore.” She says that they have also sold tickets to people in the US, Sweden, Germany, and the UAE.
According to Joon, the audiences at their shows are usually 90 percent Thai and 10 percent local expats. She does not believe they’ve ever had more than a few people travel from abroad for one of their shows.
It’s not because Viji doesn’t book big acts: They have had The xx, A Simple Plan, Damien Rice, and Guns N Roses, play shows here in recent history. However, the difference may be that many NIN fans have a next-level devotion to their favorite band — and it’s not surprising that fans in neighboring countries might make a short trip for the show, since flights from Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong can usually be had for about THB3,000 (US$94) and hotels can go for even cheaper. It’s the band’s only stop in Southeast Asia, too, so that’s more reason for the push.
According to Bandsintown, NIN is only playing two other dates in Asia, both earlier in the month in Japan. They perform August 17 at Makuhari Messe, a convention center outside Tokyo, and August 19 at Osaka’s massive Summer Sonic festival.
The Bangkok date is at Moonstar Studio, a small, intimate club — and local fans expect it to be an amazing place to see an act like NIN. In his live performances, frontman Trent Reznor is known for incredibly high-energy, passionate performances including screams and headbanging, often on a dimly-lit or strobe-lit stage. Here’s the band with all their art and angst, in a clip from one of their shows:
FIND IT:
NIN Live in Bangkok
Aug. 14, 8pm
THB3,000
Moonstar Studio
MRT Lad Prao
Related:
Closer: Bangkok concert promoter teases upcoming Nine Inch Nails concert
NIN definitely, totally, absolutely coming to Bangkok this summer
