The Smashing Pumpkins

Ah, The Smashing Pumpkins! By November 6, 2019, when they performed at Afas Live in Amsterdam, the band was riding the waves of a dynamic revival. Just prior, they released "Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun." in late 2018, marking their first studio album in over a decade with original members Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha. This return to form brought a fresh energy that fans were excited to hear live, as encapsulated in the setlist for the Amsterdam show. With 17 songs, they showcased classics like "Zero" and "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" alongside newer tunes like "Solara." What’s cool is that their choice to open with George Frideric Handel’s "Sarabande" sets a contrastingly theatrical tone, blending classical influences with their signature alt-rock sound. It’s moments like these that remind you of their willingness to push boundaries and connect with audiences, old and new.

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