In April, the band announced Wong as their new guitarist, after conducting a search that saw them receive over 10,000 public applications for the role.
Last Friday (June 7), the band kicked off their joint UK tour with Weezer in Birmingham. Their set included a cover of U2’s ‘Zoo Station’, in what was Wong’s first full show with the band.
“I am so overwhelmed with excitement,” she added. “It was such an honor to play my first arena on guitar with such an incredible group of musicians. Someone pinch me, actually don’t because I want to keep living this dream.”
Wong added: “It’s been an absolute wild ride, but I am beyond honoured and humbled to be chosen to perform alongside some of rock’s greatest and most influential musicians of all time.”
Reviewing the work of these incredible musicians was a herculean, albeit worthy effort,” Billy Corgan said in a statement. “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.
Kiki Wong added: “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.
Smashing Pumpkins announce massive North American tour, including shows as part of Green Day's tour, and support from PVRIS and The Glorious Sons.
Billy Corgan and co. took to social media to announce their tour, which apart from their own headline shows, will include festival appearances and shows as part of Green Day‘s The Saviors tour. For their headlining shows, Smashing Pumpkins will be supported at Pvris and The Glorious Sons at select dates.
Smashing Pumpkins’ 2024 North American tour dates are:
JULY
29 – Washington, DC
31 – Muskoka, ON
AUGUST
01 – Toronto, ON
03 – Montreal, QC
04 – Bangor, ME
05 – Queens, NY
07 – Boston, MA
09 – Philadelphia, PA
10 – Hershey, PA
13 – Chicago, IL
14 – Kansas City, MO
16 – Springfield, IL
17 – Minneapolis, MN
20 – Des Moines, IA
21 – St. Louis, MO
22 – Cincinnati, OH
24 – Milwaukee, WI
27 – Simpsonville, SC
28 – Atlanta, GA
30 – Nashville, TN
SEPTEMBER
01 – Pittsburgh, PA
04 – Detroit, MI
07 – Denver, CO
10 – Southaven, MS
11 – Arlington, TX
14 – Los Angeles, CA
18 – Phoenix, AZ
20 – San Francisco, CA
21 – Reno, NV
23 – Seattle, WA
24 – Spokane, WA
25 – Portland, OR
27 – Las Vegas, NV
28 – San Diego, CA
