Review: Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction revisit Gen X glory days in St. Paul

Nearly 30 years since he first sang about living in the moment in his hit song "Today," Billy Corgan finally seems to recognize that Smashing Pumpkins is largely a band of yesterday.

The Chicago rocker and his rebounded band did a smash-up job playing the nostalgia card Friday night at Xcel Energy Center, where they paired up with another big band of the same early-'90s era, Jane's Addiction.

Having the Jane's crew aboard — plus flashy art-rocker Poppy for a warm-up act (think: Lady Gaga gone metal) — benefited the Pumpkins in more ways than upping attendance to more than 11,000 ticket-buyers.

Corgan & Co. had to whittle down their set time significantly to about 100 minutes. This definitely felt like a good thing after their last gig at Xcel Center in 2018, a nearly three-hour set. This time, the Pumpkins stuck largely to their hits and other fan favorites and embraced their status as a greatest-hits nostalgia act.

It was also great to have Jane's Addiction along because — duh! — Jane's Addiction almost always puts on a electrifying set.

Playing its first Twin Cities date since 2012, the Los Angeles gutter-glam-rock band rose to the occasion once again even without Dave Navarro. The co-founding guitarist had to bow out of the tour due to long-COVID symptoms.

Singer Perry Farrell wasn't nearly as spot-on when it came to hitting his old notes. However, the cosmically charismatic frontman still entertainingly carried the torch for his fiery band. He was especially ebullient later in the set as he led the crowd in mass singalongs to "Jane Says," "Been Caught Stealing" and an especially towering "Mountain Song."

While Farrell donned a curious , shiny look that was part Howdy Doody and Buzz Lightyear, Corgan came out with his usual ultra-dark Uncle Fester appearance, including black monk's cloak. He seemed a lot lighter mood-wise from the get-go, though.

"We are so pleased and touched you are with us tonight," Corgan gushed.

Considerably tighter than in 2018, the Pumpkins sounded as monstrous as ever in the heaviest and most manic rockers near the end, including "Cherub Rock" and "Zero." The show's best moments, though, were the softer and sweeter ones.

Corgan played "Tonight, Tonight" accompanied only by guitarist James Iha, who rejoined the band in 2018 and seems irreplaceable now. The singer and the audience then had their own bonding moment in "1979," singing together lyrics about growing older without growing old. Both of Friday's bands are doing well in that department now.