In a recent somewhat misleading headline it was claimed that "Billy Corgan doesn't want to play fan favourites at Smashing Pumpkins gigs", however on Monday night (10th June 2024) in Dublin's 3Arena, that proved to the contrary, as the US behemoths delivered a set crammed with their best know songs. With Weezer filling out the special guests slot, this was a dream bill for '90s alt-rock and grunge fans.
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Smashing Pumpkins were one of the biggest bands of the early '90s scene that along with the likes of their north-western neighbours - Seattle's Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains - changed the face of the musical landscape. Making a monumental mark, particularly with their second and third releases 'Siamese Dream' (1993), and 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness' (1995), the sold out arena show tonight reveals that they're now more popular than ever.
With sales of over 35 million worldwide, Weezer may receive second billing, but are arguably as beloved, and arriving like heroes, there's a thunderous roar as they dive straight into 'My Name Is Jonas', Landing a heavy-hitter early with a rousing 'Beverly Hills' next, they get even the most casual fan on side from the off, and when they later deliver one of their trademark on-point covers in an evening-appropriate romp through Hole's 'Celebrity Skin', it's clear that tonight is going to be the perfect '90s nostalgia package.
That's not to say that either band is stuck in the past, and there's plenty of newer material from both acts, however when Weezer drop a stuttering 'Say It Ain't So', a sludgy 'Hash Pipe', and an uproarious closing 'Buddy Holly', the crowd goes predictably bananas.
Where Weezer bring a sense of fun, Smashing Pumpkins' arrival is much more foreboding. Led by the enigmatic Billy Corgan, the front man says little during the evening, instead inhabiting the role of grand master of ceremonies and leaving most of the banter to guitarist James Iha. Opening with juddering 2000 single 'The Everlasting Gaze', it's countered by the deep groove of deep cut 'Doomsday Clock', which follows. They then surprisingly drop in "a song by a local band", in a towering alt take of U2's industrial 'Zoo Station', to the delight of those in the know.
It's a thrilling opening, however, 'Today' is the first song to really hit its stride, and as soon as the intro lick arrives, there's a huge cheer. From its genteel verses to its Sabbath-heavy choruses, it rises and falls, and it gets the audience singing along with gusto.
Greeting the crowd, Iha declares; "we're very happy to be here in Dublin, Ireland. It's a beautiful place", before the '80s sensibilities and epic Corgan dad dancing of 'Thru The Eyes of Ruby' - the first of six tracks from the world beating 'Mellon Collie' opus.
Despite apparent protestations in than NME headline, the rest of the set is crammed with their biggest and best material, and this is a vintage set from one of the greatest bands of the era. From the gloriously uplifting 'Tonight Tonight', to a pulsating 'Ava Adore' to an anthemic 'Bullet With Butterfly Wings' and reflective '1979', no one attending tonight is going home disappointed.
Dispensing with the arena rock restrictions and sensibilities, Corgan's kids playfully get in on the act, with the pair in ear defenders dancing around their dad during 'Beguiled', while drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is serenaded with 'Happy Birthday' and presented with a cake to celebrate his 60th. All this reveals that despite his perceived image, Billy isn't so humourless after all.
All that's left is the frenetic closing pairing of 'Chereb Rock' and 'Zero', with Iha signing off, declaring; "thank you so much, Dublin. You guys are the best!"
It's been sixteen years since the last Smashing Pumpkins gig in Ireland, and almost two and a half decades since the three founding members - Coran, Iha and Chamberlin - graced a stage in Dublin. On tonight's form, let's hope it's not as long before they return.
With sales of over 35 million worldwide, Weezer may receive second billing, but are arguably as beloved, and arriving like heroes, there's a thunderous roar as they dive straight into 'My Name Is Jonas', Landing a heavy-hitter early with a rousing 'Beverly Hills' next, they get even the most casual fan on side from the off, and when they later deliver one of their trademark on-point covers in an evening-appropriate romp through Hole's 'Celebrity Skin', it's clear that tonight is going to be the perfect '90s nostalgia package.
That's not to say that either band is stuck in the past, and there's plenty of newer material from both acts, however when Weezer drop a stuttering 'Say It Ain't So', a sludgy 'Hash Pipe', and an uproarious closing 'Buddy Holly', the crowd goes predictably bananas.
Where Weezer bring a sense of fun, Smashing Pumpkins' arrival is much more foreboding. Led by the enigmatic Billy Corgan, the front man says little during the evening, instead inhabiting the role of grand master of ceremonies and leaving most of the banter to guitarist James Iha. Opening with juddering 2000 single 'The Everlasting Gaze', it's countered by the deep groove of deep cut 'Doomsday Clock', which follows. They then surprisingly drop in "a song by a local band", in a towering alt take of U2's industrial 'Zoo Station', to the delight of those in the know.
It's a thrilling opening, however, 'Today' is the first song to really hit its stride, and as soon as the intro lick arrives, there's a huge cheer. From its genteel verses to its Sabbath-heavy choruses, it rises and falls, and it gets the audience singing along with gusto.
Greeting the crowd, Iha declares; "we're very happy to be here in Dublin, Ireland. It's a beautiful place", before the '80s sensibilities and epic Corgan dad dancing of 'Thru The Eyes of Ruby' - the first of six tracks from the world beating 'Mellon Collie' opus.
Despite apparent protestations in than NME headline, the rest of the set is crammed with their biggest and best material, and this is a vintage set from one of the greatest bands of the era. From the gloriously uplifting 'Tonight Tonight', to a pulsating 'Ava Adore' to an anthemic 'Bullet With Butterfly Wings' and reflective '1979', no one attending tonight is going home disappointed.
Dispensing with the arena rock restrictions and sensibilities, Corgan's kids playfully get in on the act, with the pair in ear defenders dancing around their dad during 'Beguiled', while drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is serenaded with 'Happy Birthday' and presented with a cake to celebrate his 60th. All this reveals that despite his perceived image, Billy isn't so humourless after all.
All that's left is the frenetic closing pairing of 'Chereb Rock' and 'Zero', with Iha signing off, declaring; "thank you so much, Dublin. You guys are the best!"
It's been sixteen years since the last Smashing Pumpkins gig in Ireland, and almost two and a half decades since the three founding members - Coran, Iha and Chamberlin - graced a stage in Dublin. On tonight's form, let's hope it's not as long before they return.