Billy Corgan, the enigmatic frontman of Smashing Pumpkins, has recently stirred up a conversation about the band’s setlists and their inclusion of classic hits. In a candid interview with Kerrang!, Corgan expressed his reluctance to play songs he doesn’t enjoy, regardless of their popularity. “I don’t play any songs I don’t want to play,” he stated. “I don’t care if they’re a classic or not. If I don’t want to play it, I just don’t play it. I don’t put that on the audience like, ‘Well, I’ve got to play this one for you.’ I think that’s kind of cheese.”
This statement sparked widespread discussion among fans and media alike, leading Corgan to address the issue directly on Instagram. “I want to address the elephant (rhinoceros) in the room – about [Smashing Pumpkins] not playing the hits or fan favorites,” he wrote. Accompanying his post was a setlist from their recent Glasgow show, packed with the band’s most beloved tracks, including ‘1979’, ‘Disarm’, ‘Tonight, Tonight’, ‘Today’, and ‘Cherub Rock’.
Corgan’s sarcastic tone was evident as he added, “Super deep cuts/not fan favorites. But thank you Glasgow for being absolutely aff yer HEIDS last night. Spectacular audience. Will show more of SP not playing hits/fan favourites as the tour goes on!” This playful jab at the controversy highlighted the band’s commitment to delivering a memorable experience for their fans, despite Corgan’s earlier comments.
The Smashing Pumpkins have just concluded their UK tour, with their final show in Cardiff on June 14. They are now set to embark on a European tour, starting in Paris on June 16 and wrapping up in Athens on July 16. The tour has already seen the band perform a hit-heavy setlist, including a cover of U2’s ‘Zoo Station’, at their opening show in Birmingham.
In other news, Corgan recently praised Taylor Swift and defended the length of her latest album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’. He expressed confusion over the criticism artists face for releasing long albums, a sentiment he shares from his experience with Smashing Pumpkins’ latest LP, ‘ATUM’. The album, released in three parts with a total of 33 songs, received a four-star review from NME, with Damian Jones describing it as “an ambitious body of work” that offers plenty for diehard fans.
Corgan’s defense of lengthy albums extends to his own work, as he explained in an interview with the Irish Times. “Taylor Swift is one of the most gifted pop artists of all time. How is it a bad thing that she’s releasing more music? I can’t follow that… You can go on Spotify and just skip it.” He added, “People complained about the length of my last album… I thought, ‘Well, just go make your own playlist.’ Just listen to the record one time – rag over the six or 10 songs you like and make your own record. Why is this such a strange concept? Have some sense of proportionality.”
Additionally, Corgan announced in February that he would be releasing a new unscripted series called ‘Adventures In Carnyland’. The show will focus on his involvement in wrestling, where he has served as the president of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) since 2017. The trailer for the series dropped last month, generating excitement among fans.
Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, Corgan’s playful response and the band’s continued dedication to their fans demonstrate their enduring appeal. As the Smashing Pumpkins continue their tour, fans can look forward to more hit-filled performances and perhaps a few surprises along the way.
