Smashing Pumpkins’ new guitarist, Kiki Wong expressed what she felt after her final concert with the band.
“And that’s a wrap! 22 stadium shows and 15 headline shows later, we done did the thing with the most incredible bands on the planet,” the rocker wrote on Instagram along with some photos from their shows. “It has been an otherworldly experience to be able to perform with Smashing Pumpkins and share the stage with the iconic musicians of Green Day, Rancid, and The Linda Lindas.”
She continued, “Never in a million years did I think I’d be where I’m standing today. I’m used to working exponentially hard for a handful of successes and a majority of failures, try agains, or do overs. I’m used to goals just being right outside of reach and making more sacrifices than reaping the fruits of my labor.”
“But because I mustered up the courage and put my name in the hat for this audition, because I’ve been rejected so much I no longer fear it, because a few legendary music icons took a chance on believing in me, I now have a second chance at pursing my dreams,” Wong further explained. “And now my dreams are beyond the moon.”
She thanked the whole Smashing Pumpkins team, writing, “No words can describe my gratitude for everyone in the Smashing Pumpkins band, crew, management, and of course the fans. I’m now home with my family who’ve I’ve missed so dearly, but I will always and forever be thankful for my tour family.”
“Can’t wait to be back at it again in a month. See you soon, in South America!” Kiki lastly said in her statement.
In October 2023, Smashing Pumpkins announced that longtime guitarist Jeff Schroeder was leaving the band. After his departure, in January, they said they were looking for a new guitarist and accepted applications via email. By January 17, they received over 10,000 submissions and hired eight people to review them. On April 26, the band announced that Wong was chosen as their new touring guitarist.
The South American leg of the band’s tour starts on November 1 in Brasilia, Brazil, and ends on November 16 in Guácima, Costa Rica.
Photo Credit: Kiki Wong – Instagram