Smashing Pumpkins rock Grand Rex

Taking the stage for the first time since December 2, 2000, The Smashing Pumpkins drew a rapturous response on Tuesday (May 22) from more than 2,000 fans who packed the historic and elegantly appointed Grand Rex in Paris, France. The performance was the much-anticipated first stop on the band's world tour, and tickets for the intimate and wide-ranging three-hour show had sold out within minutes of going on sale. The Parisians gave the band a true hero's welcome as they debuted material from the July 10th release ‘Zeitgeist’ (Martha's Music/Reprise) - their first album of new material since
2000 - alongside an array of Pumpkins classics and fan favorites that have defined the alternative music era and underlined the band's diversity.

‘Zeitgeist’ - which features the just-released single "Tarantula," now buzzing loudly at
Rock and Alternative radio as well as all over the internet - represents a powerful rebirth and reaffirmation of the Smashing Pumpkins by two of its key members, main singer-songwriter and guitarist Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. At the Grand Rex, they welcomed Jeff Schroeder (guitar) and Ginger Reyes (bass) to the line-up, which is supported by keyboardist Lisa Harriton.

Next up for the Pumpkins: they're headlining major European festivals from May 28 at
Holland's Pinkpop festival through June 17 at Switzerland's Greenfield Festival, returning to Europe August 17 in Belgium (Pukkelpop Festival) and England August 24 (Leeds Festival) and August 26 (Reading Festival) as well performing in Istanbul, Turkey September 1. The band's itinerary includes a "Live Earth" performance July 7 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ and headlining festival appearances at the Virgin Festivals in Washington, DC (August 5) and Toronto, ONT (September 8).

The Pumpkins also announced two sets of residency gigs in the U.S.: nine unprecedented shows at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC (June 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30 and July 2, 3, and 5) plus 11 shows at the historic Fillmore in San Francisco (July 15, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31 and August 1). At these very special and intimate residencies-both of which instantly sold out--the band will vary set lists from night to night. They'll perform songs from Zeitgeist and Pumpkins classics plus retool songs that didn't make it onto Zeitgeist and even offer tunes written the day of the show. These shows will give fans a unique opportunity to see the Pumpkins inside the process of creation and operating in the spur of the moment. The band will be taking chances in the hope of taking fans, and their music, to new places. Smashing Pumpkins Tickets are available at M&C’s Ticket Database.