Lollapalooza is officially here. The massive Chicago festival begins today, with headliners Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Lorde, Olivia Dean, John Summit, Jennie, the xx and hometown heroes the Smashing Pumpkins. The latter played a pre-fest show at the Riviera Theatre last night. Prayers were answered for some of those who might have been torn about whether to catch the conflicting sets from Charli or Smashing Pumpkins, who are playing the festival for the first time in 32 years tomorrow night.
Last night's show is a fever dream. Flavor Flav was there. He was rocking out in the stands. Melissa Auf der Maur was there. The bassist joined the band for set closer "The Everlasting Gaze." And Barry Williams was there — the Barry Williams who played Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch. He joined the Pumpkins onstage to perform "It's A Sunshine Day," the Brady Bunch hit written by Steve McCarthy. Many people are asking why? Well, maybe because a couple months ago Williams was a guest on Billy Corgan's podcast. Or maybe the Smashing Pumpkins are diehard Brady Bunch fans.
Their career-spanning set also featured their first performance of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness' "Thirty-Three" since 2018, the first performance of Monuments To An Elegy's "Dorian" since 2015, and the live debut of "War Dreams Of Itself" from 2024's Aghori Mhori Mei.
Not only are the Smashing Pumpkins making the great return to Lollapalooza, but they've secured a spot among the stars next year. Last week, it was revealed that the band is getting their star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2027.
You can check out footage from the show below and also find more information about Lolla pop-up stuff happening this week.
