The Smashing Pumpkins definitely came and conquered during their 2011 tour. Even though the band is no stranger to critics, sceptics and naysayers, there was never a time before where they had so much to prove to the media and fans. This tour was a true resurrection for the band and set the tone for what is to come. Against all odds, many reviewers remarked ‘how it felt like the Smashing Pumpkins again’. Many fans could not help but be elated at the sight of not only a very happy band on stage, but also one in total unison. Many commented on how the new songs from Oceania are a stylistic return to the Gish and Siamese Dream era sound, and that the new material is on par with former classics. Indeed, the Oceania material reversed the opinion of the band’s biggest sceptics.

 

Show after show, The Smashing Pumpkins delivered unexpurgated sensuality mixed with bacchanal force. The overall sound was rich and complex, as atmospheric noises like thunder, calliope music and heavy reverb filled the air. In true Pumpkins fashion, these elements conjured ear-bleeding rock and roll with a tone of warmth and compassion. The upcoming songs from Oceania follow the same approach as they range from being loud, violent, an avalanche of corrosive guitars to tear-inducing elegies.

 

Here are links to full concerts:

• The Smashing Pumpkins at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, USA on October 5th, 2011 (video)
• The Smashing Pumpkins at Terminal 5 in New York City, NY, USA on October 18th, 2011 (video)
• The Smashing Pumpkins at Le Zénith in Paris, France on November 9th, 2011 (audio)
• Billy Corgan at Le Chat in Lisbon, Portugal on December 10th, 2011 (video)

 

 

Over the course of the tour, The Smashing Pumpkins showered fans with gifts and marked the following noteworthy events:

Last time played: Geek U.S.A. (1999-04-24 – Roxy, Los Angeles, CA), Window Paine (1994-08-27 – Lollapalooza ’94, Mountain View, CA), Frail and Bedazzled (1995-08-23 – Club SFX, Dublin, IE), Obscured (1992-07-23 – Metro, Chicago, IL), Thru the Eyes of Ruby (2000-12-02 – Metro, Chicago, IL), For Martha (2000-12-02 – Metro, Chicago, IL), Pissant (1995-02-28 – Double Door, Chicago, IL), I Am One (2000/12/02 – Metro; Chicago, IL, US) and For Your Love (2005/07/28 – The Marquee; Sydney, AU)

First Known Performance: Quasar, Panopticon, Oceania, Lightning Strikes, Pale Horse (+acoustic version) and Pinwheels (+acoustic version)

You can view some more detailed tour statistics at setlist.fm.

 

Well, it was definitely more work than I anticipated documenting all of the audio, visuals and memories from this tour. Nevertheless, I do hope that each recap will be a great resource for fans to use to relive their favorite memories. Overall, the most memorable moment for me was when Billy stretched out his right leg and struck the initial chords of Geek U.S.A. for the first time since 1999 at the Los Angeles show on October 5th. To me, that was a complete break from the chains of the past and the band catapulting into the future leaving all of the doubters behind.

 

There is a lot to look forward to in 2012 as the band would like to tour in Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America, Japan, Europe, Canada and the United States. Billy Corgan has also hinted to playing Oceania in full during the first leg of the tour. We will post the dates for the 2012 tour as soon as they become available!

 

Here is to more moments like these!

“The Pumpkins just delivered the most face melting, mind blowing, run me over with a semi-truck 1000 times hard hitting concert I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been to my share. The audience AFTER the encore was deafening for what felt like 5 minutes.” – Jase

“I was there and I have to say that I wasn’t expecting them to be even a shadow of the original band. Boy was I wrong, they knocked my socks off, along with the shirt of the girl standing behind me.” – Steve Stroup