Palpable excitement was in the air as The Smashing Pumpkins were set to grace the Scarborough Open Air Theatre stage. Support from White Lies and Rocket added to the offering.
I like bands like Rocket. They’re tight, they know their strengths and they play to them. You can tell that they’re taking the first steps beyond clubs, as occasionally they looked a little lost on such a large stage. However, a truly excellent voice soars over the top of what can only really be described as early Smashing Pumpkins-inspired music. The lazy review would be Smashing Pumpkins first album with Shirley Manson singing, a better t.l.d.r. would be if you like the Pumpkins and the associated bands of that era, check these guys out because let’s see where they go. I am keen to hear how their sound will grow over a few years and albums’ time.
White Lies had something of an eighties vibe, with good stage presence. Tokyo was a highlight. For me, they were a contrast to the bands before and after, with their synth intros, indie stylings and anthemic chorus formula; a band that on the one hand has a huge following and on the other almost seems to slip under the radar, they powered through their support set and got the crowd suitably ready for the much anticipated headliners.
The Smashing Pumpkins were straight in, no messing, with that iconic wasp in a jar guitar sound biting right into your ears. The energy levels jumped immediately and the whole crowd was fully engaged. There was no doubt who we were all there to see!
The band arrived on a stage dressed with giant freaky inflatables and an appropriate amount of light. It might seem like a strange thing to highlight but a visually busy outdoor stage in late summer evening can really throw an audience’s immersion. This was really well done.
Billy Corgan emerged to hold court dressed like a death cult priest and with the attitude of taking no prisoners. You are here to hear him preach and he knows it. Anyone remotely familiar with the band’s history will know it has been at times a not so benign dictatorship, but it does speak to the power of Billy’s vision that members keep coming back.
It has been instructive watching Billy Corgan step back into the public eye. His is a sharp-edged aesthetic, blending judgement, ideas, humour and self loathing – a self deprecatory smile as he’s encouraging audience interaction. This is channeled emotion, not just rage, this feels like acceptance of our conjoined roles in an a system he criticises.
I have truly loved seeing the age ranges at recent OAT gigs. A lot of parents with children, audiences that range from those with the time for intricate makeup and those who needed to remember their knee braces. The Smashing Pumpkins have always managed to generate a fanatical following and I don’t see this changing based on this tour.
