The Smashing Pumpkins set kicked off with the powerful leading single, “Solara” from their newest 2018 record, followed by “Zero.” A surprising toned-down cover of Depeche Mode’s “Never Let Me Down” that they performed in 1994 made a reappearance, as well as a cover of The Cure’s “Friday I’m in Love,” sung by James while Billy made his first costume change out of three for the night. The audience chilled out to a mesmerizing set of reverb-drenched guitars, droning bass, bright ethereal synthesizers and daunting vocals similar to Robert Smith. Their avant-garde presence was embellished by their matching platinum bobbed wigs and black goggle-like sunglasses.Īccompanied by Mona D on keyboard, this duo produced blends of 80s New Wave with a futuristic twist. Watching this duo on stage is probably what it would be like if space aliens descended from the sky with guitars and synths.

According to their record label, DAIS, “DeMure insists that the inspiration for the songs is received from an other-worldly source and that Deb is merely a vessel through which outside ideas flow inward.” While performing as Drab Majesty, Clinco becomes Deb Demure, an androgynous alterego.

Wednesday night started on a transcendental note with Drab Majesty, a project from LA-based musician Andrew Clinco. Jeff Schroeder (guitar) has been with the band since 2007. Instead, on bass for the tour is Jack Bates, the son of Peter Hook, bassist of Joy Division and New Order. Currently, the band is touring with all of its original members except D’arcy Wretzky, who, amid controversy and tension between her and Corgan, is infamously not making any appearances. The Pumpkins’ lineup has changed several times since 1988 when frontman Billy Corgan (lead vocals, guitar), D’arcy Wretzky (bass guitar), James Iha (guitar), and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums) formed the band. The band recorded their first demo record (Nothing Ever Changes, 1988), as well as their first official album (Gish, 1991) at Smart Studios in Madison, and Billy even made a sentimental Instagram post about their ties to the city. It doesn’t seem that playing Madison as their first show of the anniversary tour is a coincidence. The band kicked off the tour on Wednesday night by selling out Madison’s newest venue, The Sylvee. Only three weeks later, the band announced they were going back on the road for a mini-tour to celebrate their 30 thanniversary. The Smashing Pumpkins just finished up their “Shiny and Oh So Bright” reunion tour at the beginning of September, but it seems the band had so much fun playing together again, they didn’t want it to end there.

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