SMASHING PUMPKINS
Dominion Theatre - London, UK
25 January 2000
by Alicia

Saving Private Corgan

It's a strange thing, being a pop star these days. The rise and fall of Oasis and the rise of the Beta Band has seen a host of superstars down playing themselves. The Damons and Noels no longer reach for the stars, but for the TV remote control. As Stuart Maconie said, the champagne supernova has lost it's fizz.

America then should provide a little respite and some people with their soul ablaze and dreams of grandeur. Step forward Billy Corgan, a man to save us from the humble ramblings of the modest star. Except he doesn't. He looks lost, and from the Smashing Pumpkins tonight, you get a personal, intimate gig from a man who seems to be flesh and blood after all. Tonight is sad and uplifting at the same time, as a jaded Corgan gives it his all, but sometimes tonight it won't be enough.

If the Pumpkins are teetering on the brink of a split up (as Filter claim), the new material should provide a strong finale. Heavy Metal Machine is outstanding, and I of the mourning, punny title withstanding, is performed wonderfully well. However the old material is what we are here for: 1979 as wonderful as ever, and Tonight Tonight speeded up into a strange thrash metal band tune.

However Billy tonight is ill, and struggling. During Cherub Rock he needs us to help him, and at times, he seems close to collapse. He ploughs on, bless him, but for a band so majestic, tonight, seeing Corgan so vulnerable is mighty strange. It's a weird phenomenon, but then so are the Pumpkins. Tonight becomes a triumph through adversity. Again.