90’s alt-rock ground-breakers The Smashing Pumpkins stopped at Merriweather Post Pavilion recently, and I was there taking pictures and reminiscing my sad but rock filled teenage years.
The Smashing Pumpkins are currently on a short North American tour with follow 90’s rocker Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The two bands played great sets and appeared to be having a lot fun playing to the adoring audience. Smashing Pumpkins founding members Billy Corgan (guitar, vocals), James Iha (guitar, backing vocals), and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums) reunited last year and embarked on their first tour together in over 20 years. They also released a new album, Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1.
I discovered The Smashing Pumpkins when I was about 13 years old. This was before The Pumpkins released Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The only album I had was Gish. I loved that record then and still love it. I was fortunate enough to see The Pumpkins perform live 3 times in the 90’s. I also caught them at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore last summer, but I have to say that their performance at Merriweather Post Pavilion on August 17, 2019 was top notch. The Smashing Pumpkins still kick ass and should not be overlooked. As you can see, I’ve had a soft spot for The Smashing Pumpkins for nearly 30 years, and they played a clever mix of their material for this show. I was hoping for a couple more deep cuts, but I’ll take what I can get!
The Smashing Pumpkins kicked off their live set with “Today.” The crowd burst with cheers and joyful bliss. Great song to start the set. Other noteworthy songs The Pumpkins played included “Zero,” “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “G.L.O.W.,” “Disarm,” “Superchrist,” “1979,” “Tonight, Tonight,” “Cherub Rock,” and “The Aeroplane Flies High (Turns Left, Looks Right).”
Here are some photos of The Smashing Pumpkins and Noel Gallagher performing at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD on August 17, 2019. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.
