The Smashing Pumpkins / Rats in a Cage Tour / PPG Paints Arena / Pittsburgh / 10.6.2026
One of my all-time favorite bands just kicked off a massive tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. I’ve seen The Smashing Pumpkins nearly 20 times, and after all these years, this show still managed to surprise me. Here are my five thoughts from the Pittsburgh stop.
1. This is the show fans have been waiting for.
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is one of those albums that means something to a lot of people, and fans have been waiting a long time for the Pumpkins to properly celebrate it live. There have been anniversaries before, but this time they really went all in. The first set is packed with songs from the album that rarely, if ever, make it into a Pumpkins setlist. I’ve seen this band almost 20 times, and there were multiple songs I had never heard them play live before, including “Here Is No Why” and “Porcelina of the Vast Oceans.” For longtime fans, that alone makes this tour pretty special.
2. The set design is top-notch.
The production, which I believe was created by Linda Strawberry and her team, is, in my opinion, the best set design the Pumpkins have ever had. It completely captures the aesthetic of the band and fits the Mellon Collie era perfectly. There’s also a noticeable change when the show moves from the first set into the second, right down to the band switching attire from black to white. There is honestly so much happening visually that sometimes it’s hard to decide whether you should be watching the band or the screens. If you’re going to one of these shows, make sure you look up every once in a while. You’ll miss something if you don’t.
3. Kiki is a welcome addition.
After Jeff Schroeder’s departure, Billy Corgan opened auditions for a new guitarist, and Kiki Wong was eventually chosen to join the Pumpkins. Her look and vibe are different from anyone who has ever been in the band, and I think that’s a great thing. She brings a real sense of excitement and a breath of fresh air to the stage. More importantly, she’s an unbelievable guitar player and she genuinely looks like she’s having a blast playing these songs. Watching her run around the stage, sing along and play to the crowd makes for a great new dynamic. She feels like she belongs up there.
4. Don’t sleep on the second set.
Obviously, the entire tour is built around celebrating Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, but don’t make the mistake of thinking the show is over when that first set ends. After a roughly 20-minute break, the band comes back for what they call “Unruly Hits and Dark Treasures.” And they definitely deliver the hits you want to hear, but they also dig a little deeper, including three songs from their latest album, Aghori Mhori Mei, which I think is one of their strongest recent albums. The second set gives the show a completely different feel and makes the whole night feel much bigger than simply a 30th anniversary celebration.
5. Billy really outdid himself with this one.
I’ve been to nearly 20 Smashing Pumpkins shows in my life, and I can honestly say this experience is right near the top, if not at the top, of the list. Three full hours of The Smashing Pumpkins. Incredible visuals. A setlist that gives casual fans the songs they came for while rewarding the hardcore fans with deep cuts. And, maybe most importantly, a band that genuinely looks like they’re having fun up there. Today is indeed the greatest day I’ve ever known.
