Smashing Pumpkins To Play Intimate, Acoustic Show In Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Madame Zuzu's Tea House in Highland Park is scheduled to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of Smashing Pumpkin's quadruple platinum record "Siamese Dream" by turning into a replica of a Tower Records.

At midnight on July 27, 1993, the local alternative rockers attracted about 3,000 fans to an acoustic record release show at Tower Records in Chicago.

On Sept. 17, the band will commemorate that moment by playing two shows with the same setlist as as its packed 40-minute record store show three decades ago — this time at the downtown Highland Park cafe owned by Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and his partner Chloe Mandel.

From Sept. 14 to Sept. 17, Madame Zuzu's will become a Tower Records pop-up, with various exclusive merchandise, including a special edition beer.

Smashing Pumpkins is due to complete its latest tour Saturday in Nobleville, Indiana. It released the third act of its 12th album, "Atum," in May.

Madame Zuzu's has hosted several charity events for the Highland Park community following last year's mass shooting.

The president of Tower Records, which relaunched in 2020 with a New York City location, released a statement pledging to host record release shows there.

“The Smashing Pumpkins played an unforgettable in store performance at Tower Records [in] Chicago. We’re excited to celebrate Siamese Dream once again, 30 years after hosting the original album release party." said Danny Zeijdel. "In the future, we intend to provide the same platform for young, emerging artists. We will continue with this at Tower in Brooklyn and new online experiences forthcoming.”

Tickets to both sets, which were priced at $345 to $495, depending on the row, sold out shortly after going on sale Wednesday morning. An online livestream of the 9 p.m. set will also be available.