Under the low-lit marquee of the Theatre of Living Arts on June 16, 2025, Billy Corgan and The Machines of God delivered a mesmerizing 26-song set for their “A Return to Zero” tour, supported by rising alt-rockers Return to Dust.
Despite being relatively new to larger stages, WMMRBQ Alum Return to Dust carried themselves like seasoned veterans. Their blend of post-grunge heaviness and moody alternative hooks captured the attention of the Sold Out crowd early. Their riffs were sharp and crunchy, while the vocals hinted at influences from both early 2000s hard rock and 90s alt staples. By the time they closed their set they had clearly won over the TLA audience, earning enthusiastic cheers and plenty of new fans in the process.
Corgan took the stage and immediately launched into “Glass’ Theme,” followed by “Heavy Metal Machine” and the churning “Where Boys Fear to Tread.” The setlist was a carefully curated blend of Smashing Pumpkins deep cuts like “Pentagrams” and “The Crying Tree of Mercury,” balanced with fan favorites like “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “1979,” and “Tonight, Tonight.” His vocals, raw and weathered, brought a new dimension to the classics while adding depth to the lesser-played tracks.
A major highlight of the night was guitarist KiKi Wongo, whose dynamic playing and stage presence added a fresh edge to Corgan’s sound. Her soaring leads on tracks like “Porcelina of the Vast Oceans” and “The Everlasting Gaze” elevated the performance, seamlessly weaving between grungy riffs and ethereal melodies.
The band’s tight musicianship carried through experimental pieces like “Glass and the Ghost Children” and “Aeroplane Flies High (Turns Left, Looks Right),” showcasing both precision and spontaneity. Closing with “The Everlasting Gaze,” Corgan demonstrated once again that his creative spark remains strong, blending nostalgia and evolution in a room that felt both intimate and electric.
Billy Corgan
Return To Dust
