Review: Smashing Pumpkins at Massey Hall

Tonight Tonight, originally uploaded by pumpkinsmediamilitia.

Last night I met up with Sarah, Paul, Katie and we headed to a great Thai food restaurant which was close to Massey Hall. We chatted and ate for awhile and then I headed down the block in search for the legendary Hall. I had only been there once before with Vero at an Our Lady Peace concert and I remember it being quite the venue.

The crowds around the Hall were exhuding an electricity in the air. Tonight was the debut night of the ‘Black Sunshine’ show whereas tomorrow will hold the ‘White Crosses’ shows. There was excited voices talking about how great the concert will be. The excitement overtook me as I walked into the hall and found my seat (which was two rows shy of being right at the back of the hall (Row R), but you know what? It was still closer than I was when I saw them in Montreal in a big crowd of people. I guess there is really no bad spot in this venue.)

I then headed downstairs to the merchandise booth and picked up a 20th anniversary poster as well as a t-shirt which had a cool logo on it with the tour dates on the back. I wasn’t going to pick up the t-shirt but they had another poster with the cool logo and I figured I may as well just pick up the t-shirt and I will always have the logo no matter what.

When I got back to my seat I noticed a few guys holding oversized posters and I asked where they got them. Supposedly they were giving out free posters outside promoting the new DVD that is coming out next week. I headed out but couldn’t find any free posters.

8PM was the time listed on the ticket and the band eventually started around 8:20. The lights came down and they had some eerie intro music over the speakers (alas, it was no Mellon Collie theme!) and then Jimmy came out and rocked us with a drum solo. At the point I realized that I should not be putting off getting a mild prescription of eyeglasses for driving. This would be another good use of them as I couldn’t pick out fine details up on the stage from that far back.

The band then came out and Billy came out in this crazy getup which consisted of a wedding dress and some giant head-dress. It’s interesting to think that he is one of the only musicians out there that still dress up in theatre garb for the concert.

The setlist consisted of rock, acoutic, then more rock. The band was accompanied by flutes, horns and violins which was nice on such songs like Tonight, Tonight. The band seemed really into it at times and Billy gave it his all with his customary snarl.

The encore was quite fun as the band came out with kazoos and Billy had a giant commentary for us…”We rock more than 90% of the bands out there.”, “We will be here for awhile yet.” “To the guy yelling for Cherub Rock, Cherub Rock, Cherub Rock…God, it’s like a bad acid trip!”. He spoke for a good 15 minutes while interjecting with everyone singing “Everything is Beautiful”.

The night was amazing. The setlist mimicked the August tour they just had but I didn’t care. I was grateful to see them even though I had heard bootlegs. I am looking extremely forward to seeing the ‘White Crosses’ show tonight as I am thinking there will be quite a few surprises coming at us. Will they play my favourite tune, ‘Thru the Eyes of Ruby’? One can hope. I also wonder if they will provide us with any updates on the US election or if they even care really?

My only complaint is that yesterday I came down with something…my throat was killing me, my bones ached and I felt cold at all times. When I got back to Katie’s I wrapped myself up in blankets hoping that the moment would be pass by morning. I must admit that this morning I felt no better but I feel quite a bit better this afternoon after my third Vitamin C filled drink.

Setlist:
Roctopus (Jimmy Drum Solo)
Everybody Come Clap
Tarantula
G.L.O.W.
Siva
Mayonaise
Tonight, Tonight
Speed Kills
Transformer
Superchrist
United States

Once Upon A Time
The Crux
The Rose March

Today
Bullet with Butterfly Wings
The Beginning is the End is the Beginning
Heavy Metal Machine
Glass’ Theme
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (Pink Floyd)

We Only Come Out at Night
Everything is Beautiful