Filter in Worcester

About Filter

Filter started in 1993 as Richard Patrick's post-Nine Inch Nails project, built on industrial rock with heavy electronic elements and accessible hooks. The band peaked commercially in the late 90s with their second album, which spawned the hit "Hey Man Nice Shot" — a deadpan take on a controversial news footage that somehow became their signature track. "Take a Picture" showed they could do introspective alt-rock without losing the electronic edge. Patrick's voice, deadened and distant, became the vehicle for lyrics that were either cryptic or bluntly cynical depending on the song. Filter has existed in various configurations since, with Patrick sometimes being the only consistent member. They've never stopped touring, never really broke up, just kept moving forward with what amounts to a working industrial rock band. The catalog holds up because the foundation was solid: heavy synths, distorted guitars, and a refusal to sound polished or eager to please.

Tight, workmanlike sets with genuine heaviness. Patrick plays it straight, no showmanship. Crowds get loud on the hits but mostly watch rather than mosh. The electronic elements hit harder live than on record.

Known for Hey Man Nice Shot, Title of Record, Take a Picture, Captain Bligh, One

Filter + Worcester

Filter rolled through Worcester in March 2015 at The Palladium, running through nine songs that spanned their catalog pretty neatly. They opened with "You Walk Away" and leaned into the industrial rock hooks that made them matter in the first place—"(Can't You) Trip Like I Do" and "Hey Man Nice Shot" landed exactly where you'd expect them to. But the set also gave space to deeper material like "Jurassitol" and "The Take," the kind of songs that separate the casual listeners from people who actually paid attention. "We Hate It When You Get What You Want" hit with that particular Filter swagger, all teeth and no apology. It was a solid reminder that the band knows how to construct a show that doesn't just chase the obvious hits.

Filter in Worcester News

• Councillor says upcoming gig makes him 'ashamed' for Worcester BBC · Feb 18, 2026
• Comedian Stephen K Amos to bring stand-up show to city The Worcester News · Nov 10, 2025
• A merry little Solstice: Cara Brindisi's annual holiday concert a hit at Mechanics Hall Worcester Telegram · Dec 22, 2024
• Worcester's Urban Forest USDA Climate Hubs (.gov) · Sep 4, 2019
• Coal Chamber - Filter - Combichrist- American Head Charge: Live At The Worcester Palladium Ghost Cult Magazine · Apr 7, 2015

Live Music in Worcester

Worcester's rock underground has always had a particular appetite for bands that don't fit neatly into one lane. The city's venues have historically drawn touring acts who operate in that industrial, alternative, and post-punk space—the kind of thing Filter represents. It's a crowd that appreciates precision and edge over polish, which suits a band built on mechanical grooves and Richard Patrick's particular brand of controlled fury pretty well.

Worcester road trip to see Filter?

Stay in the Elm Hill neighborhood — it's got actual character with tree-lined streets and the best local dining concentration. Book a table at Elm Tavern for elevated comfort food, then spend an afternoon at the Worcester Art Museum, which has a surprisingly strong collection that rewards a couple hours. If you want something quieter before the show, The Hanover Theatre is worth checking even if you're not catching a play — the building itself is an ornate 1904 gem. The walk from Elm Hill to the venue area is doable and keeps you off the highway entirely.