Billy Corgan announces 2026 UK and European orchestral shows celebrating Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Mellon Collie’

Billy Corgan is bringing his ‘A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness’ live shows to the UK and Europe later this year – celebrating the classic Smashing Pumpkins album.

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The shows were first announced in March 2025 , and kicked off in North America later that year . They see the frontman join up with a 60-piece orchestra to deliver an operatic reimagining of Smashing Pumpkins’ hit 1995 album ‘Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness’.

Launching in Chicago in November, the singer, podcaster and wrestling expert took over the Lyric Opera House for seven nights, portraying the album as a “completely new, sonic and visual experience”.

Now, Corgan has confirmed that he will be bringing the show across the pond later this year. Two shows are planned for London’s Royal Festival Hall on September 1 and 2, and from there he will play two shows in Antwerp, two in Paris, and one in Madrid later that month.

Dubbed ‘A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness Featuring Billy Corgan’, the music is composed by Corgan alongside Grammy-nominated conductor James Lowe, and will see the ‘90s alt-rock icon take to the stage alongside world class soloists and orchestras.

According to a press release, the shows look to “re-imagine and pay homage to the era-defining album of the same name, whilst also expanding the definition and intention of opera”. It also cites highlights including a “tear-jerking” version of ‘Tonight,

Tonight’ by the orchestra.

Costumes for the performances have been designed by House of Gilles by Gilles, and other vocalists joining Corgan include Ed Parks (in London, Belgium and France), Sydney Mancasola, Zoie Reams, Dominick Valdes Chenes and Dean Murphy (in Spain only).

Pre-sale tickets go live tomorrow (Tuesday May 12) at 10am BST. General on sale starts on Wednesday (13) at 10am CET for Antwerp and Paris, and Thursday (14) for London and Madrid at 10am BST. Visit here for tickets.

‘A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness’ 2026 UK and European dates are:

SEPTEMBER

1 – London, UK, Royal Festival Hall

2 – London, UK, Royal Festival Hall

6 – Antwerp, Belgium, Queen Elisabeth Hall (two shows)

8 – Paris, France, Salle Pleye

9 – Paris, France, Salle Pleye

11 – Madrid, Spain, Palacio Vistalegre

As well as announcing the unique, operatic tour, last year also saw Smashing Pumpkins drop the 30th anniversary deluxe reissue of ‘Mellon Collie’ , which featured over 80 minutes of unreleased audio from their 1996 tour, a hardbound book with new liner notes from Corgan, a custom tarot card set, and seven frameable lithographs.

Before then, the frontman spoke to NME  that February and opened up about the milestone for the 1995 album – hinting that he was “working with the parent label” to release a revisited version of the record at the time.

“It’s weird because I can’t believe it’s been 30 years. I’m really excited, but at the same time, I’m like ‘What happened over these last 30 years?’” he said.

Since then, he has invited Hole’s Melissa Auf der Maur on his podcast and opened up about being inspired by Courtney Love , invited Love herself onto the show where they shared their issues with “gatekeeper” Kim Gordon , and duetted with Sombr at Coachella .

The post Billy Corgan announces ‘A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness’ 2026 UK and European shows celebrating the Smashing Pumpkins classic appeared first on NME .

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