Melissa Auf der Maur makes surprise appearance with Smashing Pumpkins at Lollapalooza

Melissa Auf der Maur’s Lollapalooza appearance with The Smashing Pumpkins was a one-song reunion that tied the band’s Chicago headline set to a specific chapter of its history. Auf der Maur joined Billy Corgan and the band for “The Everlasting Gaze” during the group’s Lollapalooza performance in Chicago on July 31, according to multiple concert reports. (yahoo.com) The appearance came during the Pumpkins’ first Lollapalooza performance since the festival’s 1994 touring edition, and it was one of several guest spots in the set. Auf der Maur later said Corgan invited her on shortly before the band went onstage. ### When did Melissa Auf der Maur actually appear with the band? July 31 is the date cited by concert coverage from NME, JamBase and other outlets covering the set at Chicago’s Grant Park. (nme.com) Some preliminary summaries described the appearance as taking place on Aug. 2, but the performance reports place The Smashing Pumpkins’ Lollapalooza headline set on Friday, July 31. Chicago was also the site of an earlier reunion that same week. NME and ABC-affiliated coverage said Auf der Maur joined the band at the Riviera Theatre on July 29, two nights before Lollapalooza, where she also played “The Everlasting Gaze.” (yahoo.com) ### What did Billy Corgan say to bring her onstage? Auf der Maur said Billy Corgan told her just before the show that the Pumpkins had confirmed their hometown Lollapalooza headline slot and invited her to take part. In remarks reported by Guitar World and echoed in syndicated pickup coverage, she said he told her, “If you wanna join us for a song, please do.” (nme.com) That account places the invitation late in the process, not as a long-announced reunion. The wording also matched how the performance landed onstage: Auf der Maur appeared for a single song rather than a longer guest set. ### Why was “The Everlasting Gaze” the song? “The Everlasting Gaze” is directly tied to Auf der Maur’s period with the band. (nme.com) Music coverage noted that the track opens *Machina/The Machines of God*, the 2000 album associated with the lineup she toured with after D’arcy Wretzky’s departure. The same song has framed recent reunions between Corgan and Auf der Maur. Consequence reported that she also performed “The Everlasting Gaze” with him in Montreal last year, while recent Chicago coverage said the July 29 and July 31 appearances both used that track. (yahoo.com) ### Where does Auf der Maur fit in Smashing Pumpkins history? (yahoo.com) Melissa Auf der Maur joined The Smashing Pumpkins in 1999 after becoming known earlier in the decade as bassist for Hole. Music Times reported that she was part of the Pumpkins lineup for the group’s farewell-era shows in 2000, including the Dec. 2, 2000 concert at Metro in Chicago. (musictimes.com) The Lollapalooza appearance therefore connected the current band to a narrower but significant slice of Pumpkins history. Current performance reports identified the band onstage as Corgan, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin, Kiki Wong and touring bassist Jack Bates, with Auf der Maur returning as a guest rather than a standing member. (consequence.net) ### Was she the only guest in the set? The Smashing Pumpkins’ Lollapalooza set included multiple guests. NME, USA Today and other reports said Yungblud joined for “Luna,” Olivia Rodrigo appeared for “Thirty-Three,” and Auf der Maur closed out the night with “The Everlasting Gaze.” Setlist coverage said the band opened with “1979” and mixed catalog staples with newer material before ending with Auf der Maur’s appearance. (musictimes.com) JamBase listed “The Everlasting Gaze” as the closing song of the performance in Grant Park. ### What happens next for Auf der Maur? September 4 is the next dated milestone tied to Auf der Maur in recent coverage. Consequence reported that she recently announced *BASS WOMB ROOM*, a collection of previously unreleased 1990s demos and interludes, for release on that date. (yahoo.com) (consequence.net) (jambase.com) (usatoday.com)