The rain fell over Metro Manila, just like it did on the stormy night in 2012 when The Smashing Pumpkins last played there. But for the thousands of fans mostly dressed in black, the rain only made the electric nostalgia in the air stronger. For kids in the 1990s who listened to “Siamese Dream” and “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” over and over, this wasn’t just a concert; it was a trip back to their childhood.

Billy Corgan, the band’s lead singer, was joined by original members James Iha on guitar and Jimmy Chamberlin on drums, as well as bassist Jack Bates and guitarist Kiki Wong. They played a setlist full of classic songs from their catalog that blew the roof off the place.

The lights went out, and the crowd went wild when the band started their set with the pulsing, futuristic riffs of “Glass’ Theme” from ‘Machina/The Machines of God’ and then the gritty, industrial churn of “Heavy Metal Machine.” The energy was immediate and visceral, reminding me of the Pumpkins’ ability to mix raw power with deep sadness. Billy Corgan, whose bald head shone under the stage lights, led the charge with a voice that still carried the weight of a generation’s anger.

“Magandang gabi! Maraming salamat, Manila!” Corgan yelled out, and his Tagalog greeting was met with loud cheers. The frontman, who is now in his late 50s, wore a long black coat and stood tall. He was as commanding as ever. The setlist was a love letter to long-time fans, taking them through different periods of the band’s long and successful career. Then, a surprise cover of Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” came on. The dreamy synths and Corgan’s haunting voice cast a spell over the crowd. Then came “Mayonaise,” with its shining guitars and raw emotion that made many people cry, and “Disarm,” which turned the coliseum into a cathedral of shared weakness. The rain outside seemed to fall in time with the strings that hurt.

But the crowd really went wild when the first notes of “Tonight, Tonight” rang out through the arena. Fans swayed, held their hands up, and sang every word like the last 30 years had never happened. The strings, the hope, the heartbreak—it was like 1995 again, and Manila was living it. The sea of black shirts, each with a pumpkin and a zero logo on it, moved as one, lost in the song that defined their youth. “1979” was also a well-received performance, the dreamy alt-rock vibes and infectious energy of the song got the crowd going.

As the night came to an end, Corgan spoke to the happy, wet crowd one last time. “Thank you very much! Get home safe, you’re the best,” he said, his voice warm with gratitude. The fans, soaked but not giving up, stayed as the last notes faded, not wanting to let the moment pass.

For kids in the 1990s, this wasn’t just a concert; it was a reunion, a reckoning, and a reminder that the songs that shaped them are still alive and well. As the rain kept falling, The Smashing Pumpkins showed once again that their music will never go out of style, just like the city that welcomed them back with open arms.

Special thanks to PULP Live World