Smashing Pumpkins!

Poncier

Tim Simmons said:

I've just always figured when the band was good or bad was dependent on how good Billy was writing the tunes (in addition to Jimmy on the drums). I've never thought James or darcy were really important to what made the band great. It all came down to Billys song writing. 

Same for me. As long as Billy has Jimmy on drums, the rest of the band is immaterial.

In fact much of the bass (and a lot of what is presumed to be James' guitar) we hear on record is Billy anyway:

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/butch_vig_billy_corgan_recorded_90_of_guitars__bass_on_smashing_pumpkins_albums.html

Zod

Tim Simmons said:

I've just always figured when the band was good or bad was dependent on how good Billy was writing the tunes (in addition to Jimmy on the drums). I've never thought James or darcy were really important to what made the band great. It all came down to Billys song writing. 

Maybe Billy's best writing happens when he loathes his bandmate?

Zod

Kind of feel bad for knocking on Billy, but felt I expressed me reasons why the tour is struggling to sell tickets.

Working on an assignment today and listening to the last time I saw the pumpkins live.  January 8, 1997 at GM Place in Vancouver.   Always thought it was cool a soundboard leaked from the show.   They sound amazing on the recording, and it's hard to believe how big and awesome they were back then:

https://archive.org/details/tsp1997-01-08.flac16

2-feign-reluctance

Zod said:

Kind of feel bad for knocking on Billy, but felt I expressed me reasons why the tour is struggling to sell tickets.

Working on an assignment today and listening to the last time I saw the pumpkins live.  January 8, 1997 at GM Place in Vancouver.   Always thought it was cool a soundboard leaked from the show.   They sound amazing on the recording, and it's hard to believe how big and awesome they were back then:

https://archive.org/details/tsp1997-01-08.flac16

Still amazing even without JC on the kit. 

given2fly23

I know some of the smaller markets haven't sold well, but Chicago is nearly sold out.  Glad I grabbed a great pair.  Looking forward to this.  I think Billy knows he'll have to bring what people want to sell some of these venues.

tbergs

Zod said:

Kind of feel bad for knocking on Billy, but felt I expressed me reasons why the tour is struggling to sell tickets.

Working on an assignment today and listening to the last time I saw the pumpkins live.  January 8, 1997 at GM Place in Vancouver.   Always thought it was cool a soundboard leaked from the show.   They sound amazing on the recording, and it's hard to believe how big and awesome they were back then:

https://archive.org/details/tsp1997-01-08.flac16

Thanks for sharing. Awesome setlist and solid performance. I would probably go if they could pull of a performance like this one yet and have a similar setlist. Never seen them live.

lolobugg

based on the list of songs Billy leaked, I think this will be a Infinite Sadness tour Version II

for anyone that didn't see them on that tour... you need to get tix this time.

pjsteelerfan

Picked up some $30 nose bleeds for Baltimore. But with the way the show is selling, I may be getting a free upgrade.  

Weston1283

Just read an article on the poor ticket sales on NME.... good LORD, I mean theres poor sales, and then theres this.  I went to look out of my own curiosity and saw that I can purchase 3rd row seats for 550 each... and I didn't feel bad for them anymore.  Pretty high hopes for a band that didn't even sell out a small theatre down the road in Akron, OH last year.

Zod

I also saw the NME Article.  Basically in the cities with astronomical populations (10 million+) like Chicago, LA, New York etc...   They're sell more briskly.. because they're huge markets and there are more people to buy tickets.   Anywhere else though.. not so much.

I dunno.. listening to that bootleg does make me want to go in hopes it's a goodshow, but I don't know anyone who still has any interest in the Pumpkins.   Plus it's in Seattle, so that adds up quite a bit when you factor in foreign exchange, ferries, expensive Seattle hotels...  I'll do that for PJ, but the Pumpkins.. its an easier to sell to friends if it's in Vancouver.

timdwilli

Heavy overpricing combined with huge venues was bound to be a disaster. I feel like even these arenas would sell at reasonable prices, but $100+ before fees for some of the upper level seats? Please. Conversely, $150 face in theaters and clubs...instant sellouts and extra shows added. Glad I took the advice of some earlier posters and decided to just ride it out and buy on stubhub closer to the show. The Temple of the Dog show at the Forum was almost an instant sell out and there were tickets for $10 the week of the show, so definitely should be able to score well below face for this

RoleModelsinBlood31

^ yep.  Normally I’d cave and buy tickets if I didnt’t buy them right away initially but with this tour what happens if I don’t end up getting tickets? I miss the smashing pumpkins.  I don’t think i’ll feel that bad about that.

JH57554

I have a theory that the public feud with D'arcy was a ruse and a few days before the tour begins, they're going to do a warm-up show with all four them onstage and create a huge demand for these unsold tickets.  Or, the feud was real but Billy will make up with her before the tour starts and she'll be on tour and he'll claim it was a ruse.

timdwilli

they just announced a second LA show and ticketmaster pulled all the available seats for the first one. no idea what is going on with that insanity, but my tickets for this are gonna be dirt cheap!

DC29940

JH57554 said:

I have a theory that the public feud with D'arcy was a ruse and a few days before the tour begins, they're going to do a warm-up show with all four them onstage and create a huge demand for these unsold tickets.  Or, the feud was real but Billy will make up with her before the tour starts and she'll be on tour and he'll claim it was a ruse.

Funny, I had the exact same thought the other day. 

elvistheking44

JH57554 said:

I have a theory that the public feud with D'arcy was a ruse and a few days before the tour begins, they're going to do a warm-up show with all four them onstage and create a huge demand for these unsold tickets.  Or, the feud was real but Billy will make up with her before the tour starts and she'll be on tour and he'll claim it was a ruse.

Jeff Schroeder and Billy are pretty tight.  They are publicizing his name alot with this tour.  I don't think Billy would string him along like this if he ultimately was planning on tossing him aside.  To me, it makes no difference if D'arcy is involved or not.

Tim Simmons

I dont really think Darcy is gonna move all those unsold tickets. 

JH57554

elvistheking44 said:

JH57554 said:

I have a theory that the public feud with D'arcy was a ruse and a few days before the tour begins, they're going to do a warm-up show with all four them onstage and create a huge demand for these unsold tickets.  Or, the feud was real but Billy will make up with her before the tour starts and she'll be on tour and he'll claim it was a ruse.

Jeff Schroeder and Billy are pretty tight.  They are publicizing his name alot with this tour.  I don't think Billy would string him along like this if he ultimately was planning on tossing him aside.  To me, it makes no difference if D'arcy is involved or not.

Sure, but are they publicizing him as the bass player, third guitarist, or is it intentionally vague?

JH57554

Tim Simmons said:

I dont really think Darcy is gonna move all those unsold tickets. 

The sum is greater than it's equal parts.

I'm just spitballing here for fun, FYI.  I'm not emotionally invested or anything, just having fun speculating online.  I'm curious about the show and am hoping to find a cheap ticket the day of, but if my theory is correct I'll be much more eager to find a ticket and see the original lineup again and see how they've aged.

kramer73

I wish they would just reissue the greatest hits.

facepollution

JH57554 said:

elvistheking44 said:

JH57554 said:

I have a theory that the public feud with D'arcy was a ruse and a few days before the tour begins, they're going to do a warm-up show with all four them onstage and create a huge demand for these unsold tickets.  Or, the feud was real but Billy will make up with her before the tour starts and she'll be on tour and he'll claim it was a ruse.

Jeff Schroeder and Billy are pretty tight.  They are publicizing his name alot with this tour.  I don't think Billy would string him along like this if he ultimately was planning on tossing him aside.  To me, it makes no difference if D'arcy is involved or not.

Sure, but are they publicizing him as the bass player, third guitarist, or is it intentionally vague?

Jeff has already been confirmed as the third guitarist.

Reelingiswhattheysay

They are so hit or miss... sometimes the sound is awful and off, could be the venue.  His voice is still amazing tho- seen him solo couple years ago and he was great.  Is the original band all back for this tour? I haven't even had a chance to look into it with all of these other 90s announcements taking precedence of my bank account haha

Tim Simmons

No Darcy, but everyone else. Setlist made up up of mainly the good jams (pre-2000) and some unnecessary new covers.

DC29940

On Monday almost the entire arena was available for the tour opener in Glendale/Phoenix, today there are relatively very few seats left. Either people finally realized this was on sale, or the brokers decided to buy them up. I'm guessing the latter, but was still surprised to all of a sudden see all the blue dots disappear on the Ticketmaster map.

Tim Simmons

Maybe they pulled them down because of all the negative stories. They can throw them back up piecemeal because its still 4 months until the tour starts.

Tim Simmons

kramer73 said:

I wish they would just reissue the greatest hits.

On vinyl

kramer73

Tim Simmons said:

kramer73 said:

I wish they would just reissue the greatest hits.

On vinyl

of course!

Poncier

Tim Simmons said:

Maybe they pulled them down because of all the negative stories. They can throw them back up piecemeal because its still 4 months until the tour starts.

Yeah they were taken down by TM/Live Nation. Just look at the layout of what's left, full rows, then a couple empty rows, then full rows etc. etc. No way they were bought that way. 
they are trying to make it look like a better seller than it is and probably pulled some down to give to radio stations for give aways etc.

Edit: Looks like they did similar in Boston, no way they sold that many tix since yesterday when I last looked.

elvistheking44

I couldn't be happier that Chicago sold out.  I would have never guessed it.  Curious how the 2nd show will sell, but I have my tickets for the first night and I have no doubt Billy will be bringing it for his hometown show.  Cant Wait!!!!

Zod

Tim Simmons said:

I dont really think Darcy is gonna move all those unsold tickets. 

Not any more.. no...   I think the Darcy thing was more about Billy turning things around and band genuinely getting back together.  If it had been the original lineup back together, I think the general public would perceive it differently (like thinking Billy has turn over a new leaf.. kind of thing).  Instead it feels like more of the same old....  I don't think adding her back at this point would do to much.. allthough I'd probably change my and go.