Review: The Smashing Pumpkins’ The World is a Vampire Tour at Broadwater Parklands

The Smashing Pumpkins' The World is a Vampire Tour at Broadwater Parklands
w/ The Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, Amyl and the Sniffers, Redhook, Rattlesnake
Sunday, April 30, 2023

The Smashing Pumpkins brought their The World is a Vampire Tour to the Gold Coast on Sunday, with fans from far and wide (in this case as far as Western Australia) getting down to Broadwater Parklands for a rare chance to see the alt-rock legends and friends performing live on the Labour Day long weekend.

The first concert lead singer and guitarist, Billy Corgan, along with guitarist James Iha, ever played in Australia was on the Gold Coast back in 1994. Some fans attending on the weekend had been at that first show, while many others were only now seeing them for the first time, welcoming their long-awaited return with gusto.

Over the years, several players have stepped in to take the place of the Pumpkins' best-known bassist D'arcy, who was with the band for twenty-two years, with the most recent incarnation featuring wunderkind Manchurian Jack Bates. Long-time member, Jeff Schroeder, who joined the band in 2006, was also on board, continuing to contribute his part in creating the inimitable Pumpkins sound. The anticipation was heightened further given that both Smashing Pumpkins lead singer and guitarist, Billy Corgan, and Jane's Addiction front man Perry Farrell, who played prior to The Pumpkins, had to cancel shows last year due to laryngitis and injury, respectfully.

The crowd of young and young at heart flowed in from midday, witnessing a line up of international and local artists, including Melbourne punk rockers Amyl and the Sniffers, Sydney's Redhook, and Rattlesnake. In addition, NWA entertained the crowd in between acts! No, not the rap group, wrestling fan Billy Corgan, owns the National Wrestling Alliance and promotes the wrestling group in America and internationally.

Jane's Addiction hit the stage, opening with Up The Beach which led into Been Caught Stealing while three women in tiny black outfits and black eye masks danced seductively in the background. It was an erotically charged affair with sixty-four year old frontman Perry Farrell sauntering around the stage, cat-like, appearing like an ageless vampire. Farrell welcomed the crowd and let them know how lucky they are with the weather. “It's not always like this, so make the most of it while you can.” The band then launched into Summertime Rolls, a fitting anthem for the balmy autumn evening.

When not showing off his uniquely androgynous vocals, Farrell danced around with equal parts nonchalance and desire-dripping ego – a true rock king. He took swigs of red wine from the bottle and spoke in a poetically performative manner, rhyming sentences here and there like a trickster telling a riddle. Everything Jane's Addiction do on stage makes a statement and Farrell's outfit was no different. With denim look harem pant overalls that hung loosely over a striped shirt, his waist cinched with a leather belt, fingerless leather gloves and his sleek grey hair slightly coiffed, Farrell sported an enviable avant-garde look. Lead guitarist Josh Klinghoffer took the place of long-time guitarist Dave Navarro after he became sick with long Covid, shredding on a funky fluro pink guitar with yellow knobs.

Aesthetics aside, the band brought raw energy that was equal parts primal and elysian. Farrell told the crowd of a friend, Matt Davidson, who recently died of cancer. “One day we're all going to meet again at the base of the mountain and celebrate with joy,” he said before launching into Mountain Song.

Next, Farrell came out in an akubra swooning as a woman pole danced gracefully in the background. The finale of Three Days saw the melodic intro change pace as the drums kicked in, emphasising the tribal sound with the toms. The song has a salsa vibe to it and Farrell shook a handful of maracas while Klinghoffer shredded the guitar high up on the fret board.

There were a couple of minor sound issues, for instance, with the sound being too low so the guitar's effects were not heard as clearly, but these barely detracted from an incredible performance that only proves Jane's Addiction's powerful music transcends eras.

The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha welcomed fans warmly, humbly introducing himself and the band. They kicked off their set with Empires from from their most recent album, ATUM which was released last year. Then they really got the crowd fired up with Bullet With Butterfly Wings, their 2023 tour anthem! 

Looking very much a vampire himself, like Farrell previously, Corgan donned a long black robe and black makeup that made him resemble some kind of satanic priest. Those expecting more of melancholy and slower songs, may have been surprised (but surely not disappointed!) to witness the Pumpkins smashing out predominantly harder sounds – fitting for a Vampire rock concert! The crowd marvelled at how much energy Corgan and the gang had despite the majority of the members approaching 60.

The band then played another favourite, “Today is the greatest,” and it certainly felt like it in the excited crowd.

Sticking to the Vampiric theme, they launched into a song from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, We Only Come Out at Night. It wouldn't be surprising to discover these veteran rockstars were indeed vampires. With a net worth of $60 billion, surely Corgan can afford eternal youth? Corgan called out over the crowd: “I heard a rumour you like to party over this side of the world…? I'm here to live and kill, and fuck, and go surfing. We're here to do it all.” Perhaps consider leaving out the killing part though…?

Such an impressive spectacle would not have been possible without the roadies who brought everything together on the day, and throughout the tour. One in particular who could be seen at the side of the stage, tuning guitars non-stop with precision in his eyes in what must be a high-pressure role. Four guitarists played on The Smashing Pumpkins tour, with Corgan alone playing at least four separate guitars, including the famous 'The Reverend.'

Plenty of thought had gone into the tour and the songs themselves sounded quite different to what fans are used to on the albums. There was a certain infusion of industrial rock/electronica, a nod to the early nineties from which their music was first established.

Zero, Cherub Rock and 1979 were all played much to fans upmost pleasure. “It’s been 35 years since we started The Smashing Pumpkins. said Corgan. “I’m dedicating this one to all our fans, Amyl and The Sniffers, and Jane’s Addiction…” A beautiful pared-back moment ensued, with Corgan and Iha performing an acoustic version of Tonight, Tonight, a sweet interval amid a heavier set.

One of the most exciting highlights of the night was the band doing a cover of Talking Heads’ Once in a Lifetime which got a massive crowd reaction! However, it wasn’t the only cover. They also paid homage to Australian band The Church with a cover of Under the Milky Way, which Iha did a marvellous job of in taking over the mic from Corgan. It all felt very magical and befitting for a warm evening under the southern stars, and the Pumpkins sent everyone home in high spirits, finishing the set with Silverfuck, splicing the song with The Doors’ The End.

KYRA SHENNAN

Photos by Andrew Treadwell