Wong will join the band for their upcoming summer tour dates
At the top of the year, two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning iconic rock band The Smashing Pumpkins hosted an open audition for an additional guitarist to join them on the road. This unprecedented move practically broke the internet, igniting a flurry of media activity and audience anticipation. Following a simple social media post, 10,000-plus applicants submitted applications for consideration to join the band on tour. Frontman Billy Corgan reviewed the submissions and whittled down the pool of entrants who proceeded to audition in-person for the touring guitarist spot in-person last month in Los Angeles.
Now, The Smashing Pumpkins officially welcome highly-skilled veteran instrumentalist Kiki Wong as their additional touring guitarist. Kiki joins the band’s tour lineup along with mainstays Jack Bates (bass) and Katie Cole (guitar, keys, vocals).
“Reviewing the work of these incredible musicians was a herculean, albeit worthy effort,” said Corgan. “First off, I really want to thank everyone who submitted materials for consideration. It wasn’t an easy decision with how much great guitar playing we were lucky enough to hear and see over the past few months. 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 mad circus. It’s definitely an exciting moment for The Smashing Pumpkins to be this busy with touring in 2024. We’ll see you all this summer!
Kiki Wong hails from Los Angeles, California. Moreover, she has been a musician almost all her life and has performed with Taylor Swift, Usher, Bret Michaels, and more along with notable rock bands including Nylon Pink, Hellfire Heart, and currently, Vigil of War. A lifelong fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, the stars have most definitely aligned for Kiki.
“It’s been an absolute wild ride, but I am beyond honored and humbled to be chosen to perform alongside some of rock’s greatest and most influential musicians of all time,” said Wong. “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. I am so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to share the stage with The legendary Smashing Pumpkins!”
In addition to a combination of arena and headliner festival dates in Europe and North American stadium performances with Green Day, as part of The Saviors Tour, the band recently added additional solo arena bookings that span July through September. This new run of dates kicks off on July 31 in Muskoka, Ontario at Kee to Bala, rolls through markets such as Kansas City, Cedar Rapids, St. Louis, and concludes on September 27 in Las Vegas, NV at Fountainbleu. Plus, they will close out Osheaga Festival as one of the headlining acts in Montreal, QC on August 3.
Check out the band’s full confirmed tour itinerary below. Don’t miss The Smashing Pumpkins on tour!
The Smashing Pumpkins continue firing on all cylinders live. During 2023, they headlined and curated their very own The World Is A Vampire Tour joined by Stone Temple Pilots and Rival Sons, while 2022 saw them canvas North America on the Spirits On Fire Tour alongside Jane’s Addiction. Revisit our review and live photos from the band’s 2023 trek HERE.
Last year, The Smashing Pumpkins completed the three-act trilogy ATUM, releasing the 33-track project in its entirety. Among many highlights, it boasted “Beguiled,” which catapulted to #6 at Active Rock and #12 at Alternative Radio Charts. “Spellbinding”emerged as the #1 most-added at Alternative Rock.
Europe and UK 2024
June 7 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena^
June 8 – London, UK – The O2^
June 10 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena^
June 12 – Glasgow, Scotland – Hydro^
June 13 – Manchester, UK – Co-Op Live^
June 14 – Cardiff, UK – Cardiff Castle^
June 16 – Paris, France – Accor Arena**
June 19 – Moenschenglabach, Germany – Sparkassenpark (outdoor)^^
June 21 – Hannover, Germany – ZAG Arena^^
June 22 – Berlin, Germany – Wuhlheide^^
June 24 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle^^
June 26 – Zagreb, Croatia – Inmusic Festival
June 28 – Luxembourg – Luxexpo^^
June 29 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Ahoy^^
June 30 – Antwerp, Belgium – Live is Live
July 2 – Gilwice, Poland – PreZero Arena Gilwice^^
July 4 – Prague, Czech Republic – 02 Universum*
July 6 – Lucca, Italy – Lucca Festival**
July 10 – Madrid, Spain – Mad Cool
July 11 – Lisbon, Portugal – Nos Alive
July 13 – Barcelona, Spain – Cruilla Festival
July 16 – Athens, Greece – OAKA Indoor Arena**
^with Weezer
^^with Interpol
**with Tom Morello
*TBA
North America 2024
July 29 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park*
July 31 – Muskoka, ON – Kee to Bala
August 1 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre*
August 3 – Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival
August 4 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Bank Amphitheatre
August 5 – New York, NY – Citi Field*
August 7 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park*
August 9 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park*
August 10 – Hershey, PA – HersheyPark Stadium*
August 13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field*
August 14 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
August 16 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fair
August 17 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field*
August 20 – Des Moines, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
August 21 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
August 22 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ballpark*
August 24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Field*
August 27 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
August 28 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park*
August 30 – Nashville, TN – Geodis Park*
September 1 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park*
September 4 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park*
September 7 – Denver, CO – Coors Field*
September 10 – Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheatre at Snowden Grove
September 11 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field*
September 14 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium*
September 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field*
September 20 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park*
September 21 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort
September 23 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park*
September 24 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest
September 25 – Portland, OR – Providence Park*
September 27 – Las Vegas, NV – BleauLive Theater inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas at Fontainebleau
September 28 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park*
New dates in BOLD
*The Saviors Tour with Green Day
Tickets will be available HERE