Smashing Pumpkins Unveil New Guitarist
Smashing Pumpkins made headlines back in January when the band announced a search for a new guitarist. Just under four months later, their search is over, and the band has announced their new guitarist.
In a statement via social media, Smashing Pumpkins have revealed their new guitarist is Kiki Wong. She has quite an impressive following, with 1.3 million followers on TikTok and nearly 680,000 followers on Instagram.
In his own personal statement, Billy Corgan thanked everyone for their submissions to the guitarist search. He noted, “I was a fan of Kiki’s before she submitted her name to be considered — and it’s great that someone of her acumen will be part of our touring family. I can’t wait to hit the road with Kiki as part of our made circus.”
Wong said in her own statement, “I never thought little ole 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment. It goes to show hard work and perseverance truly pays off if you’re willing to push through the tough stuff, so never lose hope out there.”
Smashing Pumpkins announced their guitarist search shortly after the October 2023 exit of longtime guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who had been in the band since 2006.
Smashing Pumpkins 2024 Tour Dates
Wong is truly joining quite the touring circus. On top of headlining shows, the Smashing Pumpkins are also providing support on Green Day's Saviors Tour. A complete list of the band’s headlining and supporting dates is below.
7/29 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park*
7/31 – Muskoka, ON – Kee to Bala
8/1 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre*
8/3 – Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival
8/4 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Bank Amphitheatre
8/5 – New York, NY – Citi Field*
8/7 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park*
8/9 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park*
8/10 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium*
8/13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field*
8/14 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
8/16 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fair
8/17 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field*
8/20 – Des Moines, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
8/21 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/22 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ballpark*
8/24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Field*
8/27 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
8/28 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park*
8/30 – Nashville, TN – Geodis Park*
9/1 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park*
9/4 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park*
9/7 – Denver, CO – Coors Field*
9/10 – Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheatre at Snowden Grove
9/11 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field*
9/14 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium*
918 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field*
9/20 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park*
9/21 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort
9/23 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park*
9/24 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest
9/25 – Portland, OR – Providence Park*
9/27 – Las Vegas, NV – BleauLive Theater inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas at Fontainebleau
9/28 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park*
*The Saviors Tour with Green Day
7 No-Nos That Spell Bad Etiquette at Concerts
Excessive Phone User
Bright screens and loud notifications can be distracting. Silence your phone, and if you need to use it, step out of the concert area. This also goes for taking photos and videos. A few pics or short videos are cool, but nobody wants to watch the whole concert through your shaky camera. Plus, it can block others’ views. In July, Miranda Lambert stopped her Las Vegas concert mid-song to call out fans for taking selfies.
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In & Out Concertgoer
Don’t be that person who’s always up and down during a concert. If you absolutely have to leave your seat, do it quietly when there’s a break between songs. Think about it, every time you get up, you make a whole row stand up to let you through. So, save your bathroom breaks and drink refills for intermissions, or opt for an aisle seat if you know you’ll be up and down a lot during the show. It’ll help keep things smooth for everyone.
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Loud Chit Chat
Nobody likes the person who talks loudly during the entire concert. They’re the one who chats with their friends at full volume, not realizing they’re annoying everyone else trying to enjoy the music. Essentially, they unintentionally disrupt the concert experience for others who just want to listen to the music without constant chatter in the background. If you want to chat, do it outside the concert area.
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Inebriation Nation
Excessive drinking or drug use can lead to obnoxious behavior and can be a safety concern. In a way, the concertgoer who’s sloppy drunk or high is like the wild card at the concert. They add an unpredictable element to the mix. While they might be having a blast, their actions can be a distraction and annoyance to others who are trying to enjoy the music in a more composed manner.
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Space Invader
Remember to respect people’s personal space and be aware of how you move around in the crowd. Most concerts are all about dancing and having a good time, so feel free to dance the night away. Just be sure to look around and make sure you’re not accidentally bumping into others while you’re at it. Additionally, being considerate means refraining from pushing or shoving them to get closer to the stage.
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