Smashing Pumpkins

KFC Yum! Center- July 21

Last night I reacquainted myself with some old friends, Smashing Pumpkins, on their “Shiny and Oh So Bright” show at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. It was the fifth time I’ve seen them- previously at Jake’s in Bloomington, IN in 1991, Indiana State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in 1993, Deer Creek in 1994 and Market Square Arena in 1996. Last year I saw William Patrick Corgan (Billy) on his solo tour, but this was the first time seeing the whole band, Billy, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain (minus Darcy) since 1996.

Those previous shows all hold a special place in my heart, but Market Square in 1996 was by far the most special because I was able to share the event with my wife, especially our favorite song Mayonnaise. Last night was equally memorable as I was able to take my son for his first Pumpkins’ concert ever. The Pumpkins are my all time favorite band, and I’m pretty sure I listened to Siamese Dream multiple times every day from the day I bought it on July 27, 1993 until the release of Melon Collie on October 23, 1995. Passing this love onto my son was super cool.

Having said that, was the show good? Did it live up to those great shows from the past? A resounding YES! The Pumpkins poured their collective hearts out for over three hours and 31 songs. It ran the gamut from brain melting guitar solos in Siva and Porcelina to more intimate moments with 33, For Martha and To Sheila.

The biggest difference from this concert to those of the past was the performance aspect of this show. The band was backed by intricate set pieces that included a light show, raised platforms, moving screens that portrayed images, words, etc., and even a moving “Our Lady of Guadalupe” inspired piece that moved through the audience on Stairway to Heaven.

In fact, the show began by showcasing the new set up. The lights dimmed and images of the past: the van from the Today video, stars and moons from Mellon Collie and the two grown girls from Siamese Dream among others scrolled across the screen with intro playing throughout the arena. The screens split and Billy walked through with guitar in hand. He immediately strummed into Disarm. Pictures of him as a child played behind him as a crayon like effect drew over the picture with words like “Christ like,” “Broken Boy” and “Dead.” It was certainly an emotional way to start the show and set the tone early that this was going to be special.

From there, the band emerged and they ripped through favorites like “Siva,” “Rocket,” “Rhinoceros” and “Drown.” Following this was the first of four covers (counting Landslide). Billy emerged behind the set and ascended a platform before a scene of the sky and space. The band broke into David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” It was amazing (my inner fanboy screams). Billy sang with his back to the crowd, emotionally reacting to the screen in front of him. He eventually descended the riser and finished the song in front of the stage, engaging those up front.

The band continued assaulting us with familiar tunes “The Ever Lasting Gaze” and “Zero,” which really got the crowd in a frenzy. They then played the melodic, guitar driven “Stand Inside Your Love” before engaging us in one of the most compelling moments of the concert- 33. Following the blistering pace of the previous three, 33 was slow, intimate and emotional. To bolster the effect, two panels at the side of the stage ran the hand written lyrics as Billy sang. Not sure how to explain it, but the two combine to bring home that desire for happiness, even if fleeting. Plus 33 has some of the most visually intriguing lines:

“The earth laughs beneath my heavy feet

At the blasphemy in my old jangly walk

Steeple guide me to my heart and home

The sun is out and up and down again

I know I’ll make it, love can last forever

Graceful swans of never topple to the earth”

“Eye” was next and fell a little flat with it’s electronic textures and poor position in the song list following the brilliance of 33. “Soma” stepped up and brought us back. The slow build up and layered guitars brought us out of the electronic lull of “Eye” and put us squarely in the glory years of Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie.

Mark McGrath appeared with the first of his two vaudevillian interludes introducing James Iha singing “Blew Away.” It was nice to see James get the spotlight for a bit to sing his pet project from Aeroplane Flies High. This was certainly not my favorite performance of the night, as it seemed like a thrown in amidst the brilliance of their best music. However, it served to allow Billy time to get in position for a performance where he was on a pedestal playing piano.

“For Martha” and “To Sheila” showcased Billy’s improved singing. Yes, he has gotten better as he has aged. He also showed here that he is a very capable pianist. Couple that with the heartfelt lyrics Billy writes about his mother’s death in “For Martha” and you get a very emotional moment.

“If you have to go don’t say goodbye

If you have to go don’t you cry

If you have to go I will get by

Someday I’ll follow you and see you on the other side”

Next up was a moment I had been waiting for: “Mayonnaise.” Seeing Billy and James facing each other beginning the familiar strums that begin their all time best song. (this isn’t opinion, it’s factJ) It’s hard to explain why this song is so great. The name comes from looking in his fridge and being inspired by what he saw and its intentional misspelling. The lyrics are certainly mercurial in nature- the meaning is elusive. Therein lies the beauty- an enigma that means something different to everyone and at different points in our lives. To that I say, I’m:

“Fool enough to almost be it

Cool enough to not quite see it….

I just want to be me”

The 17th song of the show is Porcelina of the Vast Oceans. What a surprise! I have always liked this song, especially with headphones on. I never thought I would enjoy it as much in concert. This time, the dreamlike quality as well as the layered guitars producing the “afloat on an ocean wave” effect, worked effortlessly in conjunction with the visual effects playing on the boards on the back of the stage. Truly amazing!

Next up, the second of our covers- “Landslide.” I hesitate to call this a cover as it has probably become more famous than the original. Billy’s voice was spectacular on this one and James played lead guitar expertly. What can I say- fantastic! This led into Tonight Tonight which brought the crowd back into the mix. A rousing rendition akin to their performance at the Grammy Awards in 1996.

The Pumpkins threw in a fantastic surprise with their third cover, “Stairway to Heaven.” Covering a song as iconic as “Stairway…” from arguably the best frontman, guitarist and drummer on the planet is nearly an automatic fail. However, Billy sang a formidable rendition, James was on point and Jimmy nailed it as usual. Throw in a travelling religious icon and what did we get- An unbelievable crowd pleasing performance!

“Cherub Rock” is next. While a staple in any show and one of the older classics, the band played CR with enthusiasm as if Billy and the gang are still fighting off the posers and naysayers to this day. Billy’s guitar work here really destroyed and felt authentically 1993.

Mark McGrath returns to introduce 1979. Sadly, this may have been the lowlight of the concert. It began with the electronic drums first seen in their 1997 performance on the Grammy Awards. However, once Jimmy joined with his drums, the electronic drums muddied the entire performance. There was a constant subtone that undercut the clean guitar and drums of Jimmy. The whole performance was a wash.

Continuing the electronic theme, “Ava Adore” was next. Again, not a bad performance but there was nothing remarkable. Luckily, “Try Try Try” was next. It brought us back to the guitar driven Pumpkin songs that we love. Following that was a stripped and slowed down version “The Beginning is the End is the Beginning” which originally appeared on the Batman Forever soundtrack. Definitely a crowd pleaser.

And then we hit what I would call the “concert pocket.” These are the songs that are expected to be played. There was no theatrical fanfare, no special moment, just the songs we love. One after the other: “Hummer,” “Today,””Bullet with Butterfly Wings” and “Muzzle” were played. They were magnificent and definite crowd pleasers.

At this point, we hit the encore. The Pumpkins returned to the stage to play their new song “Solara.” While I don’t love the song, it did have an energy that made me like it all the more. It also seemed an appropriate encore….and hopefully beginning to what the Pumpkins can do in the future.

They finished the concert with Jimmy playing the ukulele rather than the drums on their final song and cover called “Baby Mine.” Billy sang this sweet song wearing an oddly shaped crown and exited while the others finished playing the music. While not my first choice, it was a fitting end to a very long concert and evening.

From my comments, you can obviously tell that I loved the evening and am most certainly a die-hard Pumpkins fan. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t comment on the climate of the concert. Sadly, the venue was less than full and sadly, many decided to exit early. Near the end, Billy thanked us all for coming and even thanked those who were leaving early. Obviously, Billy has grown since his fledgling days as a superstar. In those early days he may have had some choice words and exited the stage.

He and the rest of the band delivered a tour-de-force performance, even if the circumstances weren’t perfect.

As a fan of 28 years, it is truly sad to see a waning fan base. To think that a band, and in many cases a band we love, would pour their hearts into creating an experience in the form of a three-hour concert only to have fans leave early is a disgrace. I hope that even casual fans will buy a ticket going forward. This is an experience that is truly unforgettable.

I guarantee that nostalgia will nestle up beside you and hold your hand for the evening. Believe it!

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