Today is the greatest day for Pittsburgh fans of alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins. The band’s unique and expansive “The Rats in a Cage Tour,” named for a lyric from their hit “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” will come to PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 6.
Each show in this tour will contain two distinct sets: one celebrating the recent 30th anniversary of the iconic album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” and one spanning their decades-long discography. “Mellon Collie” topped the Billboard 200 and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA. It spawned hits including “1979” and “Tonight, Tonight.”
While this tour offers something different, Pittsburgh is by no means deprived of hearing these songs played live — lead singer Billy Corgan performed a set of the band’s deep cuts with Billy Corgan and the Machines of God at the Roxian Theater last June. They also played PNC Park with fellow ’90s alt-rock legends Green Day in September 2024, and last rocked PPG Paints Arena in October 2022.
Presales for Citi and Verizon customers will begin Tuesday, with additional presales scheduled until the general onsale at 10 a.m. Thursday. There will also be a fan presale through the band’s official fan club, VIZ CLUB, on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. For tickets, visit smashingpumpkins.com.