The Smashing Pumpkins took the stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago for their first headlining performance in over three decades. This appearance marked a return to the festival where they last performed back in 1994 during its early years. The band’s presence was especially meaningful as frontman Billy Corgan is a lifelong resident of Chicago. He had spent the week before the event organizing a series of local celebrations to honor the city and the band’s legacy.
The evening brought together fans from different generations in a celebration of alternative rock from the nineties. Yungblud made his way on stage shortly after finishing his own set to perform the track ‘Luna’ from Siamese Dream. He wore all-black attire and delivered the soaring falsetto parts of the song with Corgan providing guitar support. The British performer expressed his excitement about joining the band, calling it a dream come true.
After Yungblud left the stage, Olivia Rodrigo took her place in a sheer dress and knee-high stockings. She sang ‘Thirty-Three’ from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness with acoustic guitar accompaniment. The performance took place under red lighting as rain fell over the Grant Park venue. This moment stood out as one of the most memorable parts of the festival so far.
The evening also included a surprise appearance by former Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. She performed ‘The Everlasting Gaze’ with the band during their set.
Rodrigo has often spoken about how nineties alternative rock shaped her musical identity. Her connection to the genre was further highlighted by her past collaborations with artists like The Cure and Avril Lavigne.
The pairing of Rodrigo and Corgan brought a sense of continuity between eras of rock music. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness remains the band’s most commercially successful album to date. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in 1995 and was later certified diamond for sales over ten million copies. The album’s singles included hits like ‘1979’ and ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings,’ which earned Grammy recognition.
Siamese Dream, the source of ‘Luna,’ also received four-time platinum certification. Rodrigo’s own rise to fame began with her debut album SOUR in 2021 and followed by GUTS in 2023. Yungblud has also made his mark in the rock world with a Grammy win and charting collaborations.
The performances at Lollapalooza served as a tribute to the nineties era and its lasting impact on music today. Following this event, the band announced their upcoming Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness 30th anniversary tour. The tour will include a special set featuring the full Mellon Collie album alongside other hits from their career.
Rodrigo is also preparing to launch her own tour in support of her latest album. She will be embarking on a nationwide tour under the name ‘The Unraveled Tour’.
Both artists brought new energy to the Smashing Pumpkins’ set and reminded audiences of the enduring power of alternative rock.
IMAGE: Schnékert / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)