The Smashing Pumpkins have revealed their new guitarist, who will join them on the road for their upcoming tour.
The iconic rock band received a huge reception when they put out a social media post saying they were doing an open audition to find a new bandmate, receiving more than 10,000 applicants.
Frontman Billy Corgan reviewed the submissions, whittling down the pool of entrants before in-person auditions.
And now they’ve chosen… the highly skilled instrumentalist, Kiki Wong, as their additional touring guitarist.
Kiki joins the band’s tour line-up along with mainstays in bassist Jack Bates and guitarist and keyboardist Katie Cole.
Speaking of the process in finding Kiki to join the band as the new guitarist, Corgan has said:
“Reviewing the work of these incredible musicians was a herculean, albeit worthy effort.
“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!”
And perhaps inevitably, in joining such a legendary outfit, Kiki has had some words of her own, saying:
“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.
“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!”
Kiki Wong hails from Los Angeles and has been a musician almost all her life, having performed with Taylor Swift, Usher and more, as well as rock bands Nylon Pink and Hellfire Heart.
She’ll now get ready for a mammoth touring schedule, with The Smashing Pumpkins set to join Green Day on their ‘Saviors Tour’, which kicks off in Washington D.C. on July 29, in addition to some huge dates across the UK and Europe.
See their full forthcoming tour dates below – and visit the band’s site for more information and to buy tickets.
Europe
6/7 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena^
6/8 – London, UK – The O2^
6/10 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena^
6/12 – Glasgow, Scotland – Hydro^
6/13 – Manchester, UK – Co-Op Live^
6/14 – Cardiff, UK – Cardiff Castle^
6/16 – Paris, France – Accor Arena**
6/19 – Moenschenglabach, Germany – Sparkassenpark (outdoor)^^
6/21 – Hannover, Germany – ZAG Arena^^
6/22 – Berlin, Germany – Wuhlheide^^
6/24 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle^^
6/26 – Zagreb, Croatia – Inmusic Festival
6/28 – Luxembourg – Luxexpo^^
6/29 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Ahoy^^
6/30 – Antwerp, Belgium – Live is Live
7/2 – Gilwice, Poland – PreZero Arena Gilwice^^
7/4 – Prague, Czech Republic – 02 Universum*
7/6 – Lucca, Italy – Lucca Festival**
7/10 – Madrid, Spain – Mad Cool
7/11 – Lisbon, Portugal – Nos Alive
7/13 – Barcelona, Spain – Cruilla Festival
7/16 – Athens, Greece – OAKA Indoor Arena**
^ w/ Weezer
^^ w/ Interpol
*TBA
** w/ Tom Morello
North America
Mon Jul 29 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park
Thu Aug 01 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre
Sat Aug 03 – Montreal, QC – Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
Mon Aug 05 – New York, NY – Citi Field
Wed Aug 07 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
Fri Aug 09 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park
Sat Aug 10 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
Tue Aug 13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
Thu Aug 15 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 17 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field
Tue Aug 20 – Kansas City, KS – Azura Amphitheatre
Thu Aug 22 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ballpark
Sat Aug 24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Field
Mon Aug 26 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Wed Aug 28 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park
Fri Aug 30 – Nashville, TN – Geodis Park
Sun Sep 01 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park
Wed Sep 04 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park
Sat Sep 07 – Denver, CO – Coors Field
Tue Sep 10 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater !
Wed Sep 11 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field
Sat Sep 14 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
Wed Sep 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field
Fri Sep 20 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park
Mon Sep 23 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park
Wed Sep 25 – Portland, OR – Providence Park
Sat Sep 28 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park
