“I don’t wanna go to the fucking Blue Lagoon,” Billy Corgan sneered with a sly grin, mid-set in Reykjavik. “I wanna go to the black lagoon, where all the goths go.” Welcome to The Smashing Pumpkins’ first-ever concert in Iceland, where the band delivered a thunderous, emotionally-charged set to a sold-out crowd at Laugardalshöll — and shattered all expectations in the process.
Corgan, never one to hold back, was in full form: part rock prophet, part troll, part master of ceremonies. But this wasn’t just about snarky stage banter or tourist spa gripes. Backed by core members James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin, this version of the Pumpkins showed up to play, and the energy in the venue proved they’re not just here for nostalgia.
More Than Just a Throwback
This isn’t your average dusty reunion. Though OG bassist D’arcy Wretzky is still absent, the chemistry between the current lineup was undeniable. The band tore through a 20+ song set that swung between dreamy anthems and skull-rattling distortion. And Billy? His voice — that unmistakable mix of whine and growl — is still very much intact.
The show opened on a left-field note with the deep cut “Glass,” confusing a few fans who weren’t expecting such a rarity. But the crowd was quickly rewarded with a run of beloved classics:
- “1979” brought the Gen X singalongs
- “Today” had the arena roaring
- “Disarm” and “Tonight Tonight” brought soft-lit, lighters-up emotion
And just when things got sentimental, they cranked the distortion back to 11.
Grit, Glory, and Guitar Fury
Tracks like “Heavy Metal Machine” and “Bodies” didn’t just rattle eardrums — they reasserted the Pumpkins’ place as one of alt-rock’s heaviest hitters. On songs like “Porcelina,” “Mayonaise,” and the eternal “Cherub Rock,” the band showed off not just volume, but subtlety, control, and a sense of power that few reunion acts can muster.
Yes, the hits still hit. But it’s the band’s darker, denser material that reminded everyone what made them so revolutionary in the first place.
Billy’s Still Billy (and That’s a Good Thing)
Corgan might be one of the most polarizing figures in rock — quick to rant, eternally cryptic, and occasionally off-the-rails — but on stage, he’s captivating. His playful jabs, theatrical stares, and vampiric presence added to the show’s drama. He grinned like a villain. He wailed like a banshee. And he meant every word.
This wasn’t just a victory lap. It was a reclamation of relevance.
Not Dead Yet
Heading into the night, expectations were low. Even die-hard fans came with cautious hope, half-expecting a tired, disjointed performance. What they got was a band firing on all cylinders, with no sign of rust or resignation.
“The Smashing Pumpkins have done the seemingly impossible,” the review notes. “They’re not a period piece. They’re a thrilling live band with a strong pulse.”
As the night closed with “The Everlasting Gaze”, Corgan snarled the final lyrics — “You know I’m not dead” — like a mission statement. And judging by the roar of the Icelandic crowd, no one doubted him.
The Smashing Pumpkins aren’t riding on past glories. They’re still smashing it, and if Reykjavik is any sign, they’ve got plenty of life left in them.