IMAGES DESH KAPUR / WORDS MATTY BEZ
On the 14th of June, Cardiff Castle hosted the final night of a spectacular tour featuring headliners Smashing Pumpkins, and very special guests Weezer, and support act Teenage Mortgage. The setting was nothing short of magical, with the festival arena nestled within the castle walls and the historic structure towering above the enthusiastic crowd.
The journey from North Wales took a good 4.5 hours and we were treated to beautiful blue skies the whole way down, but just as the gates opened, so did the heavens. The downpour began right on cue, drenching the excited fans as they poured into the arena. Despite the soggy start, the anticipation was palpable. As a long-time fan of both headliners, I was eager to see how their contrasting styles and fan bases would blend, it seemed to me to be a strange fit.
After a great warm up set by punk outfit Teenage Mortgage,
Weezer were the first of the big boys to take the stage, and while I expected a grand entrance, Rivers Cuomo’s notoriously introverted demeanor made for a subdued start. However, once they launched into their bottomless brunch of pop punk hits set, the band’s quirky charm and powerful riffs quickly won the crowd over. Cuomo’s unique, geeky style perfectly complements their music, with lyrics that resonate with the outcast and nerd in all of us.
Although Cuomo’s interaction with the audience was minimal at first, the band’s performance did not disappoint. Highlights included hits like “Island in the Sun,” “Hash Pipe,” and “Pork and Beans.” The unexpected cover of Hole’s “Celebrity Skin” was a standout moment, especially after learning it was written by Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman Billy Corgan. Weezer closed their set with fan favorites “Surf Wax America” and “Buddy Holly,” leaving the crowd thoroughly entertained.
SET LIST
1/ My Name Is Jonas
2/ Beverly Hills
3/ Dope Nose
(with “Troublemaker” chorus)
4/ Undone – The Sweater Song
5/ Pork and Beans
6/ All My Favorite Songs
7/ Pink Triangle
8/ Island in the Sun
9/ Perfect Situation
10/ The Good Life
11/ Celebrity Skin
(Hole cover)
12/ You Gave Your Love to Me Softly
13/ In the Garage
14/ Anonymous
15/ Say It Ain’t So
16/ Run, Raven, Run
17/ Hash Pipe
18/ Only in Dreams
19/ Surf Wax America
20/ Buddy Holly
As the rain finally let up, Smashing Pumpkins took the stage with an explosive energy that instantly electrified the arena. Their visual presence was as striking as their music, with Billy Corgan donning a black and white monk-like smock and blue face paint around the eyes, and guitarist James Iha impeccably suited. New addition Kiki Wong brought a fresh dynamic to the stage, her sexiness and confident presence adding to the band’s captivating performance.
Corgan’s distinctive vocals delivered a nostalgic punch, transporting fans back to the heyday of grunge. The setlist was a well-balanced mix of old classics and new material, with songs like “Spellbinding” and “Beguiled” standing out among my favourites of the newer tracks. The timeless hits “Tonight, Tonight” and “1979” evoked memories of MTV’s golden era, while “Cherub Rock” and “Disarm” provided a powerful conclusion to their set.
Despite the rain, the festival atmosphere remained vibrant and spirits high. The packed arena buzzed with energy, and the sight of fans leaving the castle, drenched but exhilarated, was a testament to the unforgettable experience. This gig at Cardiff Castle was a fitting finale to a phenomenal tour, showcasing the enduring appeal of both Weezer and Smashing Pumpkins, a cocktail styles and genres that surprisingly worked a treat.
SET LIST
1/ The Everlasting Gaze
2/ Doomsday Clock
3/ Zoo Station
(U2 cover)
4/ Today
5/ Thru the Eyes of Ruby
6/ Spellbinding
7/ Tonight, Tonight
8/ That Which Animates the Spirit
9/ Ava Adore
10/ Disarm
11/ Springtimes
12/ Mayonaise
13/ Bullet With Butterfly Wings
14/ Empires
15/ Beguiled
16/ 1979
17/ Birch Grove
18/ Gossamer
(with “The Spaniards” ending)
19/ Jellybelly
20/ Cherub Rock
21/ Zero
FOLLOW SMASHING PUMPKINS
FOLLOW WEEZER
FOLLOW TEENAGE MORTGAGE
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
