Full Breakdown
Smashing Pumpkins Launch “Rats in a Cage” Tour to Mark 30th Anniversary of *Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness*
5/18/2026, 3:58:36 AM
Tour Overview: Full-Album Live Experience
The Smashing Pumpkins announced a 27-date North American arena trek, “The Rats in a Cage Tour,” where each show opens with a full performance of *Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness* followed by a second set of hits and deep cuts. The tour starts 30 September in Columbus, Ohio, and is slated to end 12 November at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. A European leg covering London, Antwerp, Paris and Madrid has been added.
Milestone Album Background
*Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness* is a 28-track double album released in 1995, selling 10 million copies in the United States and producing hits “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “1979,” and “Tonight, Tonight.”
Key Participants
The tour is headlined by the Smashing Pumpkins, with Billy Corgan as frontman, promoted by Live Nation, and ticket pre-sales handled by Citi, Verizon Access and Ticketmaster.
Selected Dates & Ticketing Timeline
Stops include Columbus (Sept 30), Boston (Oct 2), Chicago (Oct 14) and Los Angeles (Nov 12). Ticket pre-sales began 19 May for Citi and Verizon Access members, 20 May for Live Nation All Access, and the public sale opened 21 May on Ticketmaster.
Album Impact & Statistics
The album’s 10 million U.S. sales underscore its cultural impact, making a full-album live rendition a notable rarity.
Official Statements
Band representatives said the tour will deliver the full *Mellon Collie* experience live, followed by a celebration of nearly four decades of hits and deep cuts, and noted that the European dates will feature a special night centered on *Mellon Collie* and *Infinite Sadness* with Billy Corgan.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source describes a 27-date arena run ending 12 November, while another schedule lists a Lollapalooza appearance on 31 July and extends the North American leg to 14 November in Huntington Beach, raising the total to 30 entries. The discrepancy remains unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The setlist will feature two distinct sets – one focused on the album and a second celebrating \"nearly four decades of hits and dark treasures.\"" — Smashing Pumpkins
- “A night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness featuring Billy Corgan” — Tour promotional material
- “The 28-track Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was one of the most ambitious and commercially successful rock albums of the '90s, selling 10 million copies in the US alone.” — Louder Sound article
Future Outlook
The tour proceeds through mid-November, concluding with the Kia Forum show and a final performance in Huntington Beach. While no further dates have been announced, the band’s remarks hint at possible additional anniversary-related events later in the year.
