The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the most iconic, iconoclastic, and influential bands of all time, shaping alternative music and culture. Since forming in Chicago during 1988, the group have sold over 30 million albums worldwide and garnered two GRAMMY® Awards, seven MTV VMAs, and an American Music Award. Their catalog includes seminal offerings such as the platinum Gish [1991], the quadruple-platinum Siamese Dream [1993], the diamond-certified Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [1995], the platinum Adore [1998], and the gold Machina/The Machines of God [2000]. Rolling Stone cited both Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness among its “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” It would also be impossible to envision alternative music and culture without their signature iconography such as the idyllic album artwork for Siamese Dream, the black Zero shirt, the laissez-faire bliss of the “1979” music video, the gothic metamorphosis of “Ava Adore,” or the multi-dimensional live shows that continue to sell out worldwide. In recent years, The Smashing Pumpkins have remained at the forefront of music and culture, releasing new music and collaborating across disciplines. The 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was marked by a deluxe vinyl reissue featuring previously unheard live recordings and a special performance with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The anniversary followed the 25th anniversary reissue of Machina/The Machines of God and new music including Cyr [2020], ATUM [2023], and Aghori Mhori Mei [2024]. 2026 saw The Smashing Pumpkins return home to Chicago for a headlining performance at Lollapalooza before launching The Rats in a Cage arena Tour of North America.