Billy Corgan - Chicago, IL

In front of a wrap-around screen projecting retro-futuristic images (conjuring memories of 80s artists Gary Numan and Missing Persons) stood Billy Corgan and his three backing musicians. Corgan, of course, played guitar while Linda Strawberry sang back-up and played keyboards, Brian Liegsang ran the programming, played keys and also sang, and Matt Walker handled percussion duties sans drum stool. To say this was a different sort of rock concert than the average one is putting it mildly.

Certainly artists such as Kraftwerk, Laurie Anderson and The Residents have incorporated a theatrical as well as futuristic flair to their stage shows. But rare indeed is the mainstream artist that goes against conventionality and daringly attempts something different. Then again when that artist is Billy Corgan, going against the tried and true is to be expected.

But, between being somewhat awed by the stage set-up and the 80s New Wave revivalist look of the musicians, the music took a back seat to the spectacle at times. Not that the music played was not enjoyable mind you, just that it rarely transcended the set design.

As distracted as this reviewer was, Corgan himself was even more so. An early show thumb gashing seemed to hamper his guitar playing and wrecked even more havoc on his vocals, which were oftentimes lost in the din of the music.

But Corgan's ebullience never once diminished and it is this joy of performing that kept the sold-out crowd at the Vic Theatre enraptured throughout. Delivering 11 of the 12 tracks on his solo debut, TheFutureEmbrace, as well as spirited covers of AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N Roll)" and Slim Harpo's "I'm A King Bee," Corgan continually pointed back to the audience in a display of gratitude. At the end of the second encore he matter-of-factly stated: "I'll always say it, I love you guys." And it was evident by the crowd's response that the love was returned to him tenfold.