Billy Corgan Shocks Fans with Solo Pumpkins Anniversary Tour

Mia Reynolds, 4/1/2025Billy Corgan announces a solo tour celebrating Smashing Pumpkins' legacy with "Billy Corgan and the Machines of God." Marking 30 years of "Mellon Collie" and "Machina," the tour includes theatrical performances with the Lyric Opera and exclusive releases, all while Corgan continues to forge his unique artistic path.

The newly minted quartet, dubbed Billy Corgan and the Machines of God, reads almost like an alternate universe version of the Pumpkins. There's Kiki Wong handling guitar duties, Jake Hayden commanding the drum kit, and Kid Tigrrr (aka Jenna Fournier) holding down the bass lines. They're set to kick off the "A Return to Zero" tour this summer, starting June 7 in Baltimore.

Here's where things get interesting — or perhaps a touch controversial. The tour aims to commemorate the 30th anniversaries of both "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" and the "Machina" albums. These aren't just any entries in the Pumpkins' catalog; they're cornerstone releases that helped define alternative rock in the '90s. "Mellon Collie," especially, stands as a testament to an era when ambitious double albums could still capture the zeitgeist.

But wait — there's more. In what might be his most audacious move yet, Corgan's partnered with Chicago's Lyric Opera for something completely unexpected. "A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness" will transform these alternative classics into grandiose theatrical productions. Seven performances are scheduled between November 21-30, 2025, promising to reimagine the music through the lens of a full orchestra and chorus. Talk about turning the amp up to eleven.

Meanwhile, the "Machina" project has evolved into something that feels distinctly Corgan-esque in its scope. Picture this: an 80-song box set, featuring 48 remixed and remastered tracks alongside 32 previously unreleased demos, outtakes, and live recordings. The kicker? You'll only find it at Madame Zuzu's, Corgan's Highland Park tea shop. Because nothing says rock 'n' roll quite like exclusive vinyl releases at a tea house.

Speaking about the "Machina" material a few years back, Corgan mused that it was "like trying to finish a movie that can never be finished." There's something oddly poetic about that — the perpetual artist, forever chasing the perfect version of their vision.

For those who prefer their rock history in more traditional formats, there's always the 16-song vinyl reissue of "Machina/The Machines of God" dropping August 22. It's a more straightforward offering in what's shaping up to be quite an unconventional celebration.

The whole enterprise feels quintessentially Billy — bold, slightly puzzling, and operating on its own peculiar wavelength. Sure, some might raise eyebrows at celebrating band milestones without the band itself. But then again, when has Corgan ever done things by the book?

After all, this is the same artist who once declared "The world is a vampire." Maybe it's fitting that he's choosing to reimagine his past works through such a distinctly personal lens. Whether this latest chapter will add to the Pumpkins' legacy or simply add another layer of complexity to their already intricate history remains to be seen. But one thing's certain — it won't be boring.

Billy Corgan's latest venture might leave even die-hard Smashing Pumpkins fans scratching their heads. In what feels like a plot twist worthy of one of his elaborate rock operas, the mercurial frontman has decided to celebrate the band's legacy — without the actual band.The newly minted quartet, dubbed Billy Corgan and the Machines of God, reads almost like an alternate universe version of the Pumpkins. There's Kiki Wong handling guitar duties, Jake Hayden commanding the drum kit, and Kid Tigrrr (aka Jenna Fournier) holding down the bass lines. They're set to kick off the "A Return to Zero" tour this summer, starting June 7 in Baltimore.Here's where things get interesting — or perhaps a touch controversial. The tour aims to commemorate the 30th anniversaries of both "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" and the "Machina" albums. These aren't just any entries in the Pumpkins' catalog; they're cornerstone releases that helped define alternative rock in the '90s. "Mellon Collie," especially, stands as a testament to an era when ambitious double albums could still capture the zeitgeist.But wait — there's more. In what might be his most audacious move yet, Corgan's partnered with Chicago's Lyric Opera for something completely unexpected. "A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness" will transform these alternative classics into grandiose theatrical productions. Seven performances are scheduled between November 21-30, 2025, promising to reimagine the music through the lens of a full orchestra and chorus. Talk about turning the amp up to eleven.Meanwhile, the "Machina" project has evolved into something that feels distinctly Corgan-esque in its scope. Picture this: an 80-song box set, featuring 48 remixed and remastered tracks alongside 32 previously unreleased demos, outtakes, and live recordings. The kicker? You'll only find it at Madame Zuzu's, Corgan's Highland Park tea shop. Because nothing says rock 'n' roll quite like exclusive vinyl releases at a tea house.Speaking about the "Machina" material a few years back, Corgan mused that it was "like trying to finish a movie that can never be finished." There's something oddly poetic about that — the perpetual artist, forever chasing the perfect version of their vision.For those who prefer their rock history in more traditional formats, there's always the 16-song vinyl reissue of "Machina/The Machines of God" dropping August 22. It's a more straightforward offering in what's shaping up to be quite an unconventional celebration.The whole enterprise feels quintessentially Billy — bold, slightly puzzling, and operating on its own peculiar wavelength. Sure, some might raise eyebrows at celebrating band milestones without the band itself. But then again, when has Corgan ever done things by the book?After all, this is the same artist who once declared "The world is a vampire." Maybe it's fitting that he's choosing to reimagine his past works through such a distinctly personal lens. Whether this latest chapter will add to the Pumpkins' legacy or simply add another layer of complexity to their already intricate history remains to be seen. But one thing's certain — it won't be boring.