The Smashing Pumpkins delivered a memorable headline performance at Lollapalooza 2026, treating the Chicago audience to surprise appearances from rising pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo and rock artist Yungblud, alongside former bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. The iconic alternative rock band, celebrating their return to the Lollapalooza main stage for the first time since the festival’s 1994 traveling edition, performed a 17-song set on the Bud Light Stage on July 31.
A Star-Studded Homecoming Set
Marking a significant moment for the band and their hometown fans, The Smashing Pumpkins, led by frontman Billy Corgan, played a career-spanning setlist. The evening’s surprises began when Yungblud joined the band to perform “Luna,” a track from their seminal 1993 album, Siamese Dream. The energetic Doncaster singer, who had already performed his own set earlier in the day, expressed his excitement to the crowd, calling the experience “a fucking dream come true!”
Later in the performance, Corgan introduced Olivia Rodrigo, who emerged to a roaring reception. The Grammy-winning artist lent her vocals to “Thirty-Three,” a song from the band’s 1995 epic, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. Corgan accompanied her on acoustic guitar, creating an intimate and powerful rendition of the fan favorite.
The final guest of the night was Melissa Auf der Maur, who previously served as a touring bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins. She joined the band for their set closer, “The Everlasting Gaze,” from their 2000 album, Machina/The Machines Of God. This reunion performance echoed a similar appearance she made with the band just two nights prior at a smaller, pre-festival show.
Setlist Highlights and Past Collaborations
The full setlist for The Smashing Pumpkins’ Lollapalooza 2026 performance included:
- ‘1979’
- ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’
- ‘Today’
- ‘Edin’
- ‘Disarm’
- ‘Luna’ (with Yungblud)
- ‘Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans’
- ‘Jellybelly’
- ‘Tonight, Tonight’
- ‘Pentagrams’
- ‘Thirty-Three’ (with Olivia Rodrigo)
- ‘Ava Adore’
- ‘War Dreams Of Itself’
- ‘Mayonaise’
- ‘Cherub Rock’
- ‘Zero’
- ‘The Everlasting Gaze’ (with Melissa Auf der Maur)
Yungblud’s appearance continued a recent collaborative streak, following their joint performance of his song “Zombie” earlier in the year. At that time, Yungblud cited Siamese Dream as a significant influence, and Corgan praised the younger artist, noting that “his star shines bright.”
Olivia Rodrigo, a major headliner herself at Lollapalooza the previous year, has a history of surprising festival-goers. Her 2025 appearance famously included a guest spot from Weezer for performances of “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So.”
Looking Ahead: New Music and Projects
Melissa Auf der Maur’s involvement with The Smashing Pumpkins dates back to their tours in 1999 and 2000, following the departure of original bassist D’arcy Wretzky. Her reunion with the band in 2024 marked her first collaboration with them in over two decades. Recently, Auf der Maur also announced her first new musical project in 16 years, signaling a return to her solo career.
Looking beyond the festival circuit, Billy Corgan is set to bring his ambitious operatic interpretation of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness to the UK and Europe later this year. This theatrical production will feature a full 60-piece orchestra. There are also reports that Corgan is exploring the possibility of staging this unique show at the Las Vegas Sphere.
In terms of new material from The Smashing Pumpkins, Corgan has indicated that the band has been working with producer Butch Vig, known for his work on their debut album Gish. Corgan recently shared that a new song, produced by Vig, is nearing completion, reportedly “98 per cent done,” suggesting fresh music from the veteran rock act could be on the horizon.
The Smashing Pumpkins’ Lollapalooza 2026 headline set, enriched by the contributions of Olivia Rodrigo, Yungblud, and Melissa Auf der Maur, served as a powerful reminder of the band’s enduring legacy and their ability to connect with contemporary music figures. The performance underscored their status as festival headliners and highlighted their ongoing relevance in the music landscape.
