The announcement of The Smashing Pumpkins’ live show in Athens stirred excitement among Greek rock fans. Nearly three decades after the band’s first performance in Greece, it was finally time for fans to experience The Smashing Pumpkins live, whether for the first time or once again!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
We arrived early at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliro, eager to catch the show from the very beginning and enjoy the special guest performing before the headliners – the legendary Tom Morello! Yes, he was set to “open” for The Smashing Pumpkins, promising to ignite a revolutionary wave among the attendees. Positioned perfectly in the front rows of the arena, we patiently awaited the spectacular performances to come.
Tom Morello wasted no time and stormed the stage with full force, accompanied by his band, which included his 13-year-old son on guitar. The renowned guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage and others, kicked off with some of his solo tracks, covered MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams” and Bruce Springsteen’s “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” and played some classic songs from his bands, as medleys or in full. Predictably, pandemonium ensued during “Killing in the Name,” with the entire stadium yelling and singing along. However, there were a few notable issues: firstly, Morello could have benefited from a skilled vocalist, as neither he nor his band members could properly sing some of the songs. Secondly, the sound production was subpar, which didn’t do justice to the musicians. Lastly, there was an issue with the electrical installation in the stadium, leading to a power cut that interrupted the performance. Despite these setbacks, we thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Morello’s riffs and his virtuosic guitar work.
After almost an hour, we were warmed up and ready for the headliners. The Smashing Pumpkins graced the stage on time, and the half-full stadium welcomed the legendary band with open arms. Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin played their historic songs for us, delivering an excellent and passionate performance. The setlist was wisely selected, and we were thrilled by all the hits and classic grunge songs from The Pumpkins. Kiki Wong was fantastic on guitar, and the entire band was in great shape and spirits, much to the ecstasy of the fans. We sang along to our favorite songs, danced to the groovy sounds and were elated to witness this alt-rock phenomenon alive and kicking. Yet, the sound quality left something to be desired—it was too bass-heavy, not loud or clear enough, and sometimes the melodies were hard to discern. Despite this significant weak point, it didn’t ruin our experience. The Smashing Pumpkins were magnificent, delivering a recital that ensured everyone had a great time. It was a blast for sure!
The Smashing Pumpkins played with their heart, they brought us memories and proved that grunge is not dead! Rock music and all its genres are here for everyone who has ears and an open mind!
