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Billy Corgan has never been afraid to change things up for the sake of doing things how he wants.
When he wanted to steer the Smashing Pumpkins away from the gothic rock sound that had made "Siamese Dream" and "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" two of the biggest albums of the 1990s and venture into electronica/industrial territory, he did it.
When he decided the band's classic lineup no longer fit his vision of the Pumpkins and he wanted to alter the chemistry, regardless of fans' protestations, he did it.
And so, now that the frontman's latest Pumpkins pet project was an idea to repurpose the band's catalog via stripped-down live performances, well, he did that, too.
The Smashing Pumpkins' "In Plainsong" Tour makes a stop at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah campus this coming Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. for what is billed as an "Acoustic-Electro Evening." Fellow '90s alt-rocker Liz Phair opens.
"We've organically stumbled into a new way to play," Corgan recently told Rolling Stone magazine. "Although I know that no matter how many interviews I give where I explain it, there will be some guy in the back of the room going, 'Why are they not playing "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" real loud?' "
The Pumpkins started their 19-city tour this past Tuesday in Portland, Ore., and will wrap on April 20 in Houston. Besides Corgan, the touring lineup features rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder, original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, and backing vocalists Sierra Swan and Katie Cole.
The Pumpkins did a handful of "In Plainsong" shows last year, and they were well-received enough to encourage Corgan to resurrect and expand the tour this year.
He told Rolling Stone that none of the band's songs are off-limits for these concerts.
"Everything's fair game. It's literally a chance to sit and look through every song I've ever put out and ask, 'Will it fit in this version of the tour for this moment?' " he told the magazine. "It changes because my mood changes a lot, so this lineup of songs is different than the ones from last year."
He also said he hopes to get Phair — best-known for her critically acclaimed debut studio album "Exile in Guyville," and on her first full tour of the U.S. in six years — to lend her vocals to some of the Pumpkins' live performances.
Twitter: @esotericwalden Smashing Pumpkins
With Liz Phair
When • Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where • Kingsbury Hall: 1395 E. Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $45-65: tickets.utah.edu/events