Smashing Pumpkins : The VIP experience

Smashing Pumpkins is one of my favorite bands of all time and I had the chance to live the VIP experience with them in Toronto thanks to ILoveAllAccess.

The Pumpkins were playing at a small venue, Massey Hall, in Toronto for two days with two totally different shows ... 24 different songs (3 hours) per show in this 20th anniversary tour of their existence.

I decided to get the special VIP pass which promised : a meet and greet with the band, a photoshoot, a snack + free drinks, souvenirs + audio of the show + a ticket in the first 10 rows of the theatre.

I was so happy to have this possibility to meet them finally after all those years of contemplating their music and "dancing" to it. But at the same time, I hoped it wouldnt be a cheap and cheezy greet from distance from musicians who didnt really cared about their fans ... after all they have done so much would they be friendly and down to earth...

The answer is : YES!!!

This was the best experience Ive had in my concert goer and one of the most incredible event of my life ... seriously! Cannot be beaten!

So how did it went ?

The show was at 8pm (no first act) and we had to be there at 5pm to start our wonderful to be evening. We met Jeff our great host who gave us our shwag bag which included ticket, shirt, discount, (future mug), keyring, VIP pass to be worn at all times.

Then he told us that we could see the band's soundcheck ... what !?! Yes ... so we went in while they were rehearsing their songs and we sat down in the first row. We saw Billy comment on every mistake the band members made (mostly the new bassist Ginger) and what direction they should take for that song etc... First glimpse into the way they do it !

Then Billy stopped the soundcheck to come and greet us with the help of Jimmy!!! We lined up to get something autographed by them, we could talk to them 1 on 1 while they were signing and taking our picture, they were so opened and seem to enjoy our company and they were so calm.

The band had to finish their soundcheck before 6h so they had to pause the signings and finish the last 15 minutes of sound check before coming back to us. Then I finally got to talk to him since I was one of the last ones ... that was stressful (to meet and talk to one of your idols) and during the photoshoot I could smile since i was too stressed lol.

After that, Billy and Jimmy decided to answer all our questions so they sat there on the edge of the stage to provide us with truthful answers and I was surprised at how calm and opened they really were. We had a lot of insights into their brains like that. I asked a question about Melissa Auf Der Maur :)

After that we went downstairs for a pre-party at the bar with free drinks and a good snack! I met and talked to so many great people who loved Smashing as much as I did if not more and it was awesome. Jeff was a great host and really great to talk to. Then at 8pm he told us that we still had a show soon... oh yes thats true ... we had a show ... after all that (incredible evening) the main event wasnt even done.

I got my ticket out and found out it was in the very first row and right in the center of the stage!!!!! thanks ILoveAccess :) wow I was right there with the band playing in front of me with less than 2 meters away Billy was singing and walking in front of me. Great place to take pictures and videos of the night. Obviously thats what I did he he.

Great show for 3 hours with Billy having fun on stage with his bandmates.

only regret ... i didnt go to the second show who's setlist was a lot better than my show ... but it was soldout and my plane was leaving at 12pm...