I guess I should start out with the positives. I went to the show a huge fan of about 12-15+ songs I routinely listen to, but I didn't hear most of them. They played an ok Cherub Rock (which closely resembled the album version), but I was hoping they'd draw out the time that each individual instrument played as it came in (at least).
The coolest part had to be the interlude after their encore. It was driven by the bass guitar and pretty groovy.
Billy Corgan's original guitar solo arrangements were cool. Some of them could have been a little longer and he could have varied styles a bit.
The violin was a cool touch, but I thought the horns were overused. For this type of band, it seemed like way too many people and way too much production. I envisioned them playing with far less and doing more with it.
Now for the bad. I thought I had heard virtually every Smashing Pumpkins song (I have their discography), but I hadn't had a chance to listen to much off their new album. I heard a song or two beforehand, but that's it.
I was a little late to the show, so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but (while I was there) they didn't play Today (which I'm sure they played earlier, right?), Disarm, 1979, Rocket, or Drown.
The songs they did play felt disjointed and disconnected, slowing and stopping the pace throughout the show. For instance, the band took some time for Billy Corgan to get an acoustic guitar and harmonica, played a song unknown to me, then went straight back to electric guitar. In a way, it felt like they didn't understand much about their strengths as a band (e.g. the energy level was a bit low in that place for how much these guys can rock) or continuity in a live performance.
At times, Billy picked up a tambourine and the band played a dancing rhythm, like something you'd see aborigines dancing to, maybe. It seemed a bit out of place for this venue. People didn't even flinch. I can still hear his mantra/chant, "What will be will be again."
Finally, these guys were far more depressing than I thought they'd be. I kept thinking they had Marilyn Manson's stage presence and darkness (saw him perform with Hole's tour) and Depeche Mode's (sometimes) lyrical creepiness (although DM has a gifted keyboardist).
