Smashing Pumpkins Led a Mellon Collie Singalong in Chicago That Was Anything but Melancholy
The Smashing Pumpkins played a homecoming show at Chicago’s United Center as part of their “Rats in a Cage” tour, built around the 30th anniversary of *Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness*. The crowd sang along to much of the music, making for a jubilant night that showed the album’s lasting appeal and the band’s enduring connection with its hometown.
The 30-song concert had two sets: the first focused on *Mellon Collie*, while the second mixed fan favourites and rarities, including “Mayonaise”, “Today” and “Jesus Is the Sun”. The band played with confidence and Corgan’s distinctive voice remained central, but seating across the floor limited the crowd’s movement and the sense of shared energy. The reviewer also noted that beer cost about three dollars more than at a recent Olivia Rodrigo concert at the venue.
- The Pumpkins led a lively Chicago singalong to *Mellon Collie*.
- Their 30-song show paired the album with favourites and rarities.
- Seated floor sections kept the arena crowd’s energy in check.
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The Smashing Pumpkins are a rock band formed in Chicago in the late 1980s, led by singer and guitarist Billy Corgan. Their 1995 double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, became one of their best-known records, with songs ranging from loud guitar rock to quieter, more reflective music.
The album helped make the band a major act during the 1990s, and its songs remain familiar to many fans. A 30th anniversary tour gives audiences a chance to hear the record alongside other songs from the band’s career, while a Chicago date also connects the group with the city where it began.