Critique d'un fan du concert du 06/05/96 à Bercy; Paris, France

Last Monday, The Smashing Pumpkins were playing at Bercy, in Paris. The opening band was , as for other european dates , Filter. This band just made some crappy noise for us to then, enjoy the beautiful sound of the Pumpkins.

Then mellon collie & infinite sadness was played and the band came on stage. Billy was wearing a silver t-shirt (he's still bald), D'arcy had trousers with a silver body. James was dressed black and Jimmy had a sport short with basket shoes.

They began with their most rawking songs - i don't remember the order-: Where boys fear to tread, Fuck you (an ode to no one), Zero. Then we enjoyed Tonight,tonight , Today, To Forgive, Disarm (Billy playing an accoustic guitar). They didn't stop playing at the end of Thru the eye of Ruby and went on with By Starlight. Cherub Rock, BWBW.

They " ended " the show with 3 encores including, in no particular order: Porcelina , Mayonaise, Bodies, X.Y.U., 1979 (James wanted us to dance), Muzzle, a 30min.+ hypnotizing Silverfuck, and a sad but full of emotion Farewell & Goodnight.

The huge Bercy in-door stadium was full of SP fans from every part of the country. People were moshing a lot to the first 3 songs and then, crowd-surfers were found only near the stage. The band talked a lot to the audience, either joking, or talking about some technical problems Billy was having with his guitar. They played " some blues from Chicago " and they were enjoying themselves telling to the audience " I'm the firestarter " (or something like that). Before the long Silverfuck, they told us that " crow-surfing & stage-diving have ceased to exist in the U.S. and that we're here to bring you civilization, so don't mosh, don't hurt each other. In the U.S. , people just dance without moving, with hands in the back." They also laugh at us that they couldn't find a 24/7 grocery in France. In fact, they were really nice with the audience and they seemed to enjoy this 2-hours show a lot. Billy said they don't come often to Paris so they wanted to remember us.

All in all, this was the greatest show i've ever been to. Of course: they're the greatest band.