Smashing Pumpkins stop Birmingham show as guitarist says ‘I’m trying’

Smashing Pumpkins standout guitarist James Iha has successfully voiced Birmingham at the band’s first show of their 2024 tour.

Taking to the Utilita Arena stage last night, the two hour set was a journey through some of their monster hits such as Today and 1979 and more recent offerings such as Empires and Springtimes from their latest album Atum.

Read more: Smashing Pumpkins at Utilita Arena Birmingham – full show review

And James was happy to praise the city chosen to kick off the 2024 dates of their The World is a Vampire tour – the name itself is a nod to another 90s hit, Bullet with Butterfly Wings.

“I’m trying to take in everything Birmingham has to offer. It’s a beautiful place,” he told an exuberant, near-sold-out crowd.

Billy Corgan, his long-time bandmate and iconic Pumpkins singer-songwriter, added: “We are so proud and honored to be with you on this wonderful night here in the UK.

“And of course for The Smashing Pumpkins, to be in the home of heavy metal in Birmingham.”

To which, Iha replied, “They told me it was ‘Burm-a-nam’.”

Corgan played a few bars of Black Sabbath’s Sweet Leaf, praising Birmingham’s “genius” and the track’s rather controversial subject matter.

At one point Corgan suggested they played some Oasis, but Iha had to correct him and point out that it might be more appropriate for their show in Manchester next Thursday.

The Smashing Pumpkins play five more dates in the UK and Ireland before hitting mainland Europe in June and July and then back to North America.

They are supported by Weezer and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, among others.