The Smashing Pumpkins, one of the most influential alt-rock bands of the ’90s, kicked off their highly anticipated festival in Mexico City last night, treating fans to a mix of classic hits and new material from their forthcoming rock opera.
The Smashing Pumpkins, the iconic alt-rock band of the ’90s, kicked off their The World Is a Vampire Festival in Mexico City on March 4 with a few surprises up their sleeves.
Notably, the group teamed up with Peter Hook, of Joy Division fame, to cover “No Love Lost” to close the show. But that wasn’t all, as the band also debuted several tracks from their forthcoming rock opera, Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts, including “Space Age,” “Moss,” and “The Good in Goodbye.” Classics such as “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” “Cherub Rock,” and “Ava Adore” were also on the setlist, alongside a cover of Talking Heads‘ “Once in a Lifetime.”
The festival also featured sets from Hook and his band The Light, as well as Interpol, Turnstile, Deafheaven, the Warning, and Chelsea Wolfe, among others.
The festival will continue next month in Australia with Jane’s Addiction and Amyl & the Sniffers joining the lineup. Additionally, the Pumpkins will release the final instalment of Atum on April 21, available for preorder on their website, including coloured vinyl editions and a box set. And, in a bizarre twist, the band has announced professional wrestling matches between Billy Corgan’s NWA and the WAOA at each show, promising a night of entertainment like no other. Get ready for a sonic attack, indeed.
Watch “No Love Lost” below:
