Trick or Treats are for kids
October 31st, 2008 by jillysptags: tour, news, blogging, live
Happy Halloween from HU - you little ghouls and goblins. Instead of candy tonight, we bring you a liveblog from Columbus in the Buckeye State as the Smashing Pumpkins kick off their 20th anniversary tour.
Jason has aleady reported a Gio sighting outside the venue, but is now inside and says there is an awful lot of eqipment on stage for an acoustic peformance.
We are minutes away from their onstage appearance so stay tuned for updates!
8:05pm - Chris reports that there are two lighted jack-o-lanterns on the stage and Billy Corgan has now entered wearing a kimono. Jason reports that the first song is Louie, Louie. By The Kingsmen?
8:09pm - “Hang On, Sloopy,” Jason reports is their second song. Chris texts that the band’s “costumes defy description.” I am confused on both counts. Say what?
8:15pm - The Monster Mash. No, we are not kidding.
8:20pm - Cue the surf music. Apparently they are now playing Wipeout.
8:27pm - Chris says that Kris Pooley is now rocking the flute. He also confirms my text to ask if the new touring musicians are there. Jason reports that the next song is an instrumental.
8:33pm - The Gambler. I am so jealous now. Is this now a Starchildren show or something? Chris feels the same way: “I think we are being trolled.”
8:45pm - Jason texts to say that their seventh song in the lineup is all blues. Lyrics are something like “workin’ from 7 to 11, don’t know what to do with you. Waitin’ for the train; has anyone seen my ten foot chain?” To the Google!
8:51pm - Chris: “I feel like I’m at a Starchildren show.” [ed. note: Great Minds Think Alike.] Jason: “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.”
8:55pm - Jason reports there were guest vocals on that last song, postulating: “Was it Alice Cooper?”
8:58pm - I receive this text: “Band offstage, house lights up.”
9:00pm - Jason and Chris just called to report on what seems to be the first half of the show. Apparently, Billy faked a total meltdown at the end of the set, throwing an acoustic guitar across the stage (okay, maybe I misheard this part?) and the band making a dramatic exit. The Gambler was filled with crazy political ranting and Jeff noodling insane guitar parts at the end. Jason said the instrumental sounded spacey, like how the intro to Siva used to be.
And the weirdest part of all? The costumes. Besides the kimono, Ginger and Jeff are dressed in matching alligator / stegasaurus (?) costumes, Lisa’s dressed like a harlequin or clown. Jimmy’s rocking a Mexican costume with a fake mustache, Gabrial is dressed in farmer’s overalls. Gingger, the new touring violinist, is dressed as an angel and no one had words to describe what Jeff is wearing. There are so many people on stage I cannot simply keep up with this. Whew.
9:13pm - Lights off again, Jason reports. On with the show: Tarantula. He adds a moment later: “Electric!”
9:19pm - I asked if the band was still in costume. Answer: No. But they’re now on to playing that song for all the ladies in the house, G.L.O.W.
9:23pm - Siva.
9:32pm - Speed Kills.
9:37pm - Superchrist.
9:47pm - As Rome Burns.
9:52pm - The Sounds of Silence. [ed. side note: I was in Berkeley, California for the first time yesterday and there were people protesting the Iraq war. It was exactly how I pictured Berkeley. I know we talked about this on the podcast, but I find it really interesting that the band is choosing to re-make these ’60s songs with an angrier (more metal?) approach. Can’t wait to hear this one live next week.]
9:58pm - I just realized that SP.com posted some great news today: Rolling Stone gave G.L.O.W. a four-star review in their last issue! More here.
10:00pm - A Song for a Son.
10:09pm - Today.
10:12pm - Bullet With Butterfly Wings. It returns. In honor of the holiday and crazy trendsetting costumes (silver pants? Who was he kidding?!) check out the video below:
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/dxNX_PRqhCQ" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
10:16pm - Okay, I hope you’re sitting down for this. I’m glad I was. Special update from Jason: There is MOSHING going on at this show. For you youngsters that weren’t around for what they historically called ‘grunge’ music, check out this page for its ‘dangerous’ definition.
10:18pm - Heavy Metal Machine.
10:29pm - Glass’ Theme.
10:30pm - End set. And the timpanis are coming out on stage.
10:34pm - The band returns to the stage to play HOTS. (That’s our favorite acronym, like ever. I wonder if Pink Floyd ever used it…)
10:39pm - Contrary to SP.com’s latest setlist posting, the show is not over, folks! Is that like a pre-spoiler? Are you trying to fake us out, SPMM? A little bit of a trick instead of a treat tonight?
10:57pm - According to Jason, the show has now ended, clocking in at nearly three whole hours.
Happy Halloween, HU readers. Unless there’s anything else I learn from talking to them, consider this liveblog a wrap. Until next time!
October 31st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I hope someone takes lots of pictures, I am intrigued already!
October 31st, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Is anyone videoing this show?
October 31st, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Monster mash? Wtf?
October 31st, 2008 at 7:17 pm
This could be the coolest show ever.
Hang on Sloopy is the official rock song of Ohio.
October 31st, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Are all of the new players (horns, etc.) there as well?
October 31st, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Could this be the first ever SP show without SP songs?
October 31st, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Wow they are ACTUALLY playing so songs. I though the setlist I got was a joke
October 31st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Ask them to send some pics of the costumes with their phone-cams!
October 31st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
This sounds fun!
October 31st, 2008 at 7:48 pm
:O ahah that sounds so ridiculous..
I guess they must be playing very well if the crowd hasn’t already started throwing shit (cit) on stage O_o
October 31st, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Band off stage already….I wonder if this means, they are coming back as ‘SP’
October 31st, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Damn..I hope that was them pretending to be an opening band. i know I would be a little bummed if I only got an hours worth of covers. Hopefully the mighty SP will now take the stage.
October 31st, 2008 at 8:07 pm
That’s what I was thinking too… the old “we are our own opening act” thing they’ve done in the past. Love it.
October 31st, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I’m sure the audience is freaking out. So funny. I’ll definitely download this show!
October 31st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
“working from 7 to 11″ is from Led Zeppelin’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You”, but not the rest of it. sounds like a Jazzin’-esque improv maybe?
October 31st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
PICS!
October 31st, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I’m sure the pictures will follow shortly. None of my co-bloggers are well-equipped to provide visual evidence. Just plenty of commentary (do we ever have a shortage?).
October 31st, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Never a shortage!
October 31st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
it’s the august setlist…..
October 31st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Oh yeah, I totally forgot that they played the Monster Mash in August. :)
reC: smokes by
October 31st, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Yeah Rome Burns!!! More like Columbus is on fire tonight, sounds like an awesome gig! Rock on SP!
October 31st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Thankyou! loving the live blog updates as usual. The first set does sound just like an 08 Starchildren show (or should that be Starchildren2 or SC2?) … just glad we get high quality recordings via livesmashingpumpkins.com of these shows … can’t wait to hear it, especialy with As Rome Burns just been played.
October 31st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
hey, thanks for live blogging this! i wonder if song for a son was acoustic or electric (the set has been electric thus far correct?)
October 31st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
According to Jason, the second set has been electric; not sure if they’ve switched it up at all.
October 31st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
hmm, pretty cool if it’s still electric but awesome either way :)
October 31st, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I really hope next weeks shows have a better set list then this one wish they played some non single SD and Mellon collie :). Also some zeitgiest non singles from the album ill make a nice set list for you bolly
Here is no why
Rocket
Siva
Speed Kills
As rome burns
Tear
Mayo
Bring the light
Starla
Ruby
Muzzle
encore 1
silver fuck
gossamer
encore 2
Geek usa>Jackboot
October 31st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
-there was some moshing in Orlando too
October 31st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
glass theme now were are talking!!!
October 31st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
COME ONE BOLLY WHIP OUT SOMETHING AWSOME FOR THE ENCORES!
October 31st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
gotta be kiddin gme pink floyd cover again arghhh
October 31st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/photos/6458
offical setlist is out…IT SAYS TONIGHT AND MAYONAISE WERE PLAYED??
October 31st, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Jason always numbers the songs in order of played on his texts; there were no missing texts, so I can only assume neither of those songs were played.
… at least, yet. Show’s still going on!
October 31st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
By the way, didn’t we already determine that the ‘official’ setlists are anything but official? They’re ALWAYS full of errors!
reC: trophy extent
October 31st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
i know what you mean…you’d think they’d stop putting out the wrong ones by now though :)
October 31st, 2008 at 9:47 pm
that would be a nice 4 pack of songs if they played those in a rows
October 31st, 2008 at 9:47 pm
No kidding. From Day 1 there were always errors. I’d imagine someone at their PR agency gets a tentative setlist and passes it down the line to get distributed. And then makes its way on to the official website. This is why sites like SPFC have gotten the credibility they have — they def don’t take that stuff at face value!
It’s just even funnier because we have two bloggers there tonight to negate this. :)
October 31st, 2008 at 9:54 pm
iS THE SHOW OVER OR WHAT?
October 31st, 2008 at 10:00 pm
SO A 20 MINS HOTS BLAH!! SHITTY ENCORE
October 31st, 2008 at 11:12 pm
This was my first SP concert since the “reformation” and it was great except…
The encore. Awful. Just awful. I might be alright with it if they want to pull out some wankery like that in the middle of the show, or even as a first encore (assuming there’s a second). But for the love of god, end the show with some real music. That shit was just terrible.
Other than that, real fun show. I really liked As Rome Burns, The Sounds of Silence and A Song for a Son. All three were quite good.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:44 pm
just got home from this show. don’t know if anyone clarified in the comments, but nobody threw an acoustic guitar. or any guitar, for that matter.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
there was a lot of muttering in the crowd. a few people walked out of the newport saying “worst concert ever.” i enjoyed myself, but i’m hoping things will be changed up a bit in cleveland tomorrow.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Hmmm, thanks for the note David — It was difficult to hear Jason when he called between sets. There were lots of people cheering and clapping and talking around him. I’ll strike it out until I get an explanation. I could’ve SWORN that’s what he said!
November 1st, 2008 at 12:00 am
to be a bit more specific, billy did take his guitar off in mock disgust and sit down on the drum riser with his head down and guitar sitting between his kness while the band played on for a while. then everyone walked off stage.
during the gambler, jeff came in on the wrong chord on the second chorus. billy told him was wrong, jeff argued. then they did it again and jeff played the wrong chord again. i’m not sure if that was on purpose but i found it hilarious. some people did take them seriously. one of my friends actually left halfway through the set.
while we were waiting for the second set, i told my wife, “even if they don’t play anymore tonight, this was worth it. people will be talking about this for a long time.”
November 1st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Have they been breaking into Rush’s Tom Sawyer at the end of the HMM thing? They did it tonight and it was awesome.
November 1st, 2008 at 8:26 am
If they close each blacksunshine night with HOTS ill be walking out myself
November 1st, 2008 at 8:56 am
This show sounds awesome; I can’t wait to see pictures and video. Wish I could’ve been there.
For some reason it always makes me laugh when SP piss off audiences, I don’t know why. Maybe I’m immature. First time I saw them live was at Lollapalooza in Michigan, and before they even came out there were about 10 minutes of a really loud (and getting louder) race car sequence from some movie being shown on a video screen and people were getting so impatient and angry, yelling out profanities at Billy, etc. Hilarious. My poor mom was with me and looking at me like “WTF? This is the band you wanted to stay for? We couldn’t have left early and beat the traffic?”
November 1st, 2008 at 9:02 am
What the F is HOTS?
November 1st, 2008 at 9:28 am
HOTS - (Set The Controls For The) Heart Of The Sun.
November 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am
I’ll chime in on a few things:
-The costumes were absolutely ridiculous. Billy in a Kimono and wig; Jimmy as a Mexican, Ginger and Kris as dinosaurs, Jeff as some sort of elf I believe, Lisa as a doll?, Stephen Bradley as Davey Crocket, Gabrial as a big bunny.
-Still not sure who the guest singer was for In-a-Gadda-da-Vida, but he was dressed as Manny Ramirez.
-Song for a Son was electric.. and probably my favorite of the set.
November 1st, 2008 at 11:48 am
anyone taped this?
November 1st, 2008 at 11:53 am
There was also some cool new merch: a few 20th anniversary tour shirts plus a special shirt for each of “black sunshine” and “white crosses.”
November 1st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
[…] was mentioned in the comments, Billy staged a faux-meltdown starting I believe in The Gambler when he repeatedly chastised Jeff […]
November 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
You know, Jimmy Flemion used to do guest vocals with the Pumpkins on In-a-Gadda-da-Vida back in ‘96/97… any chance it was him in costume?
November 9th, 2008 at 4:59 am
I wish I was there Oh God