A beautiful sunny afternoon in Gunnersbury Park in August is one of the nicest settings imaginable for a summer concert series. After Korn’s triumphant performance there last year, it is good to see this becoming an annual series of events. Today, the park will be taken over by the grungy, distorted, hard rock royalty of The Smashing Pumpkins.
The Smashing Pumpkins
Gunnersbury Park, London – 10 August 2025
Words: Kahmel Farahani
Photography: Mike Massaro / Hello Content
Funnily enough, a Judas Priest greatest hits playlist is blaring over the PA for the hour before The Smashing Pumpkins take the stage. Perhaps Billy Corgan is still replaying fond memories of singing Breaking The Law with KK Downing at Ozzy’s farewell show last month.
Coming on stage 10 minutes early, The great Pumpkins themselves, Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin, stroll on stage to roars of approval. They are joined by long-time touring bassist Jack Bates and new guitarist extraordinaire Kiki Wong. 
Opening with Glass’ Theme, The Pumpkins dive right into the swirling, psychedelic-tinged riffing of Heavy Metal Machine. It is followed by a new song, Pentagrams, from their most recent album, Aghori Mhori Mei.
This album marks a return to the heavier, alternative edge that the Pumpkin’s music has arguably been lacking in recent years. It is the closest thing to Mellon Collie that the band has created in years, and the new songs go over very well with the crowd tonight.
The classic anthem Today is Next and it starts the first truly massive singalong of the night.
“London! We are The Smashing Pumpkins,” states a smiling James Iha with a charming sense of understatement. “We’re so glad to be here. Thanks for coming out today.”
Bullet With Butterfly Wings is next and sends the energy levels and a few drinks flying. Jimmy Chamberlain is jaw-dropping, mesmerising and downright incredible behind the drums throughout the gig. Whether it’s the softer flourishes of Tonight Tonight or the ferocious Jellybelly, Chamberlain is never anything other than perfect, and genuinely one of the most impressive musicians of his generation.
Billy Corgan takes the time to thank the crowd and remind us all that this year marks the 30th anniversary of their seminal album Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. Unsurprisingly, that record gets the most exposure in tonight’s setlist, and it is the deeper cuts that really impress.
Porcelina Of the Vast Oceans is a blend of prog, grunge, psychedelia and rock that ebbs and flows for over 10 minutes, and Billy Corgan’s solo at the end of the song is truly sublime. As Chamberlain locks in behind him, they produce one of the finest moments of the night.
Another point in favour of tonight’s venue and set up, the mix is superb, and everything is in perfect balance. Every instrument sounds distinct and clear as a bell. One only wishes all outdoor shows were like this one.
“I walked around today and it wasn’t raining – I was positively shocked,” James Iha tells the crowd before launching into Mayonnaise. It is followed by a rather brilliant cover of Berlin’s Take My Breath Away.
Corgan puts down his guitar for one song and glides around the stage crooning and inviting the audience to sing along, which they do with gusto! It is a brilliant moment and another example of The Smashing Pumpkins subverting expectations in the best way.
“I want to dedicate this song to all of you, and our friends in Oasis,” says a smiling Billy Corgan, “I hear they’re having a bit of a comeback.”
A mix of cheers and jeers prompts Billy to add, “I love Oasis!”. Disarm is fragile, stark and hauntingly beautiful. It is followed by the joyful singalong of Tonight Tonight.
Cherub Rock and the fabulous Ava Adore follow before a crushing finale of Zero. Before the encore, Billy Corgan begins to tease the riff of Black Sabbath’s NIB while James Iha reads off the first verse, paper in hand.
The Smashing Pumpkins finally finish with The Everlasting Gaze. As the final chords ring out and Corgan and co take their bows and throw picks to the crowd, there is something heartwarming about being able to see The Smashing Pumpkins still performing at such a high level after so many years.
While so many of their contemporaries have fallen by the wayside over the years, The Smashing Pumpkins are still pushing their artistic limits and leaving the fans overjoyed as they do it.
