Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan traded sold-out arenas for a cozy Cleveland crowd, bringing his solo “A Return to Zero” tour to the House of Blues on Tuesday night. The set honored the 25th anniversary of the Pumpkins’ 2000 album Machina/The Machines of God and its companion release Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music, as well as the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (are we that old?).
While the night centered on material from Machina and Mellon Collie, Corgan also slipped in a few surprises including tracks from 2024’s Aghori Mhori Mei and “1979”, a classic from Siamese Dream, keeping the setlist both fresh and nostalgic.
Corgan was joined by drummer Jake Hayden, newly minted Pumpkins guitarist Kiki Wong, and Cleveland’s own Jenna Fournier—aka Kid Tigrrr—on bass. A longtime staple of the city’s music scene (formerly of NIIGHTS), Kid Tigrrr brought hometown pride and stand out vocals to the spotlight. Covering Nancy Sinatra’s “You Only Live Twice” and delivering a stirring duet on “Tonight, Tonight” with Corgan, she lived out a dream on stage, performing in front of a crowd that showed up in a big way for one of their own.
Billy Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie VeghBilly Corgan at the House of Blues in Cleveland Credit: Photo by Judie Vegh
