Can You Gig It?: Smashing Pumpkins @ London O2, 16.2.08

corgan Can You Gig It?: Smashing Pumpkins @ London O2, 16.2.08 If you’ve read this article over at Gigwise, you’ll be under the impression that the Smashing Pumpkins show at the O2 the other night was a bit of a disaster. Well, my esteemed colleague Kat at Tech Digest was there and would like to set at least a bit of the record straight. Take if away, Kat…
How did you rate the venue?
- It was my first time at the O2 arena, and I was mightily impressed. It was a lot nicer than I expected, and the transport to the arena is an absolute dream. Cannot recommend it enough!
What were the crowd like?
- Mixed. I had a seated ticket, but everyone in the section seemed to have a good time - lots of enthusiastic cheering. I don’t understand why this gig has been derided across the internet, everyone seemed to enjoy it wholeheartedly, although in the last half hour of pure noise I did notice a fair few people were leaving…

Was the support act any good or did it send you to the bar?
- I, er, didn’t see the support act. But I heard they were rubbish to the maximum level.
Bar – rip-off or value for money?
- Quite reasonable for a London venue, I thought!
Venue staff – nice or nasty?
- They were so unbelievably nice, completely made my night. Everyone was so helpful and warm, I would go back there in a flash because of them.
Toilets – swilling with piss, or spick and span?
- Very clean and new. I really liked the minimalist design, too, haha.
Highlight / lowlight of show?
- The 30 seconds Corgan sang of a Girls Aloud song was a highlight. And whilst the last half hour of pure noise did seem a little self-indulgent, it was great to see the Pumpkins doing what they do best. I liked Corgan’s aluminium foil skirt, too.
Any other comments?
- No, I just don’t understand why everyone is being so rude about this gig – what were they expecting, the greatest hits cranked out all night?! They played for 2.5 hours, so you definitely got value for money, and I thought Corgan came across really well – for a change!