Why fans think NIN could appear at Coachella
A Reddit thread on r/lollapalooza is making the rounds with a simple theory: Trent Reznor invited Boys Noize on tour, and a Live Nation contract quirk could explain why Nine Inch Nails might show up at Coachella as a collaborative set rather than a straight AEG-billed appearance. The original post lays out two main points — the tour connection between NIN and Boys Noize, and possible promoter exclusivity rules — and suggests that a billed collaboration could put NIN in a top slot.
The logic behind the rumor
According to the Reddit breakdown: Trent’s enthusiasm for Boys Noize led to the tour pairing, and Live Nation’s deals sometimes contain language that prevents artists from playing rival-promoted festivals. A collaborative billing (“Nine Inch Nails & Boys Noize”) could be a way to present NIN on an AEG-run bill without triggering exclusivity clauses — effectively a workaround for contractual limits.
What this would mean for billing
- Top-4 billing: If Coachella wanted NIN as a major draw and the collaboration passes legal review, the act could land in the top headline tier.
- Top-8 or high-secondary billing: A safer option for organizers if they treat the set as a special guest or late-night crossover.
- Secret or surprise appearance: Promoters sometimes hide tricky bookings until the weekend — a collaboration could be revealed as a special set to avoid early contract scrutiny.
Worth stressing: this is fan-sourced speculation, not an official announcement. It’s a plausible scenario — especially given how well the NIN/Boys Noize run has been going — but we’ll wait for Coachella or the artists to confirm. Read the Reddit thread here: r/lollapalooza discussion.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lollapalooza/comments/1nzopuo/nine_inch_nails_likely/
