Melissa Auf der Maur joins Smashing Pumpkins

Melissa Auf der Maur rejoined the Smashing Pumpkins onstage during the band’s Lollapalooza set in Chicago, adding a former member to one of the festival’s headline performances. Guitar World reported on Aug. 6 that Auf der Maur described the appearance as a last-minute invitation from frontman Billy Corgan. Lollapalooza’s official site lists the 2026 festival dates as July 30 through Aug. 2 at Grant Park in Chicago. Setlist.fm lists the Smashing Pumpkins’ Lollapalooza performance on July 31 at the Bud Light Stage, with a set that ran from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. ### When did Melissa Auf der Maur appear with the band? July 31 is the date setlist.fm gives for the Smashing Pumpkins’ Lollapalooza appearance in Grant Park, Chicago. The fan-maintained database lists the band on the Bud Light Stage and identifies the performance as part of Lollapalooza 2026. (guitarworld.com) Lollapalooza’s official website says the 2026 festival ran from July 30 to Aug. 2 in Chicago. That timeline places the guest appearance during the festival’s four-day run, rather than the Aug. 1–4 weekend cited in the preliminary card context. ### What did Auf der Maur say about the invitation? Guitar World reported on Aug. 6 that Auf der Maur said Corgan told her the band had “confirmed headlining Lollapalooza” and then invited her to take part. (setlist.fm) The publication’s headline excerpt quotes her recalling: “If you wanna join us for a song, please do.” Billy Corgan was identified by Guitar World as the person who extended the invitation. (lollapalooza.com) The report framed the appearance as a reunion with her former band on a stage the Smashing Pumpkins had not headlined at Lollapalooza since 1994. ### Why did the moment draw attention? Melissa Auf der Maur is a former Smashing Pumpkins bassist, and Guitar World described her appearance as a reunion that reached back to the band’s 1990s era. (guitarworld.com) The publication said the guest spot came during the group’s hometown Lollapalooza headline set. Chicago is central to that framing because Lollapalooza took place in Grant Park and the Smashing Pumpkins are closely associated with the city. (guitarworld.com) Guitar World said the band balanced older material with later-era songs during the performance. ### What do public listings show about the performance itself? (guitarworld.com) Setlist.fm lists a 17-song Smashing Pumpkins set on July 31 that included “1979,” “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “Tonight, Tonight” and “Thirty-Three.” The listing also gives the show time as 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Grant Park. (guitarworld.com) Lollapalooza’s official schedule page shows the festival was organized by day across July 30, July 31, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. Its livestream page says live coverage was available on those same dates, from 2:45 p.m. Central time until the end of each day’s event. ### Where can readers look for the next public record of it? (setlist.fm) Guitar World published its account of Auf der Maur’s comments on Aug. 6, and the magazine’s earlier item on the performance was published two days before that. Lollapalooza’s website continues to host the 2026 festival schedule and lineup pages, while setlist.fm carries the public setlist entry for the Smashing Pumpkins’ July 31 show. (lollapalooza.com) (guitarworld.com)