The Smashing Pumpkins, led by Billy Corgan, were among the performers spreading holiday cheer at this year’s Winter Classic, the annual NHL event that takes hockey outdoors to stadiums on New Year’s Eve.
This year’s Winter Classic took place at Wrigley Field in Chicago, home of the Chicago Cubs, in front of a crowd of 40,000 fans. The St. Louis Blues triumphed over the hometown favorites, the Chicago Blackhawks, with a commanding 6-2 victory. St. Louis defenseman Cam Fowler stood out, scoring two goals in the game.
The entertainment lineup featured Chance The Rapper performing during the first intermission and the Smashing Pumpkins delivering a memorable set that included “Today” and “Soma,” followed by a televised performance of “Tonight, Tonight” during player introductions. The highlight of the night came when Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan surprised the crowd by leading a spirited rendition of the baseball classic “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” before the third period, capping it off with an enthusiastic shout of “Let’s get some balls!”
“I’ve always been a fan of competitive sports, and I think hockey’s ethos aligns perfectly with that of rock music,” Billy Corgan shared with the Chicago Tribune in 2017. “Both are about overcoming adversity, working as part of a team, and navigating the highs and lows of success.”
The Smashing Pumpkins closed out the night with a private performance for NHL staff at the House of Blues in Chicago. The 11-song set featured covers of U2’s “Zoo Station” and David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust,” alongside iconic Pumpkins hits such as “Tonight, Tonight,” “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “1979,” and “Cherub Rock.”
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