Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction Play Ball Arena in Denver, November 7, 2022

Jenn Cohen | November 8, 2022

by Jenn Cohen

The Ball Arena in Denver, CO hosted the Smashing Pumpkins on their 2022 Spirits on Fire Tour. Supporting the Smashing Pumpkins on this tour is Jane’s Addiction, whose energy got the crowd on feet and ready to go. While Dave Navarro has been out due to complications from long covid, Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age) was more than capable in his spot. During a 10-song set, including a stripped-down version of “Jane Says,” frontman, Perry Farrell paused to toast Denver with a few swigs from a bottle of wine, before amping up the crowd for the Smashing Pumpkins. Strangers and friends alike exchanged their favorite concert flashbacks from the ’90s and 2000s, the lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and “Empires” (from an upcoming album) started of the Pumpkins set. Admittedly, I am a fan of the radio hits from the Pumpkins, and was surprised to learn they have a strong jam-band performance style, and a laser show reminiscent of classic Pink Floyd shows at our local planetarium. Mid-set, they played an alternate version of Talking Heads “Once in a Lifetime,” then rounded it out with their originals, including a few from their upcoming release. My 20-something year-old self remembered the energy that both these bands brought back in the day, and it was good to see they still have it. (More than I do.) This was a night of angst and nostalgia to be sure.