Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]
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