Meet Kiki Wong, The Smashing Pumpkins' new guitarist

After kicking off the year with an open invite to audition to be the band's new on-the-road guitar player, The Smashing Pumpkins have finally landed on a decision.

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The search is officially over for The Smashing Pumpkins ' new touring guitarist, and after careful consideration, Kiki Wong , a University of California, Irvine graduate with a bachelor’s in Biological Science/Pre-Medicine has been chosen to fill the role. Didn't see that one coming, did you?

After taking a break from the books, Wong, who began playing music at the age of six, became the full-time guitarist for the all-Asian-American girl band Nylon Pink , later taking on lead vocalist duties as well. Kiki's latest project was the L.A.-based rock band, Vigil Of War , and in the past has performed on stage with Taylor Swift (2014 VMAs) and Usher (CBS’s Fashion Rocks Fall 2014), as well as with Poison ’s Bret Michaels in a Nissan ad. Wong also joined the band She Demons put together by Jerry Only ’s Misfits to support their 2015 tour, later renamed as Hellfire Heart .

Kiki joins the Pumpkins after over 10,000 applicants submitted their ax work for consideration, teaming up with Billy Corgan , Jimmy Chamberlin , and James Iha , along with mainstays Jack Bates on bass and Katie Cole on guitar, keys, and vocals for the band's forthcoming live dates, including their upcoming run with Green Day on their SAVIORS 2024 global stadium tour and recently added solo arena shows spanning July through September. See a full list of dates below and grab your tickets HERE .

“Reviewing the work of these incredible musicians was a herculean, albeit worthy effort,” said Corgan. “First off, I really want to thank everyone who submitted materials for consideration. It wasn’t an easy decision with how much great guitar playing we were lucky enough to hear and see over the past few months. I was a fan of Kiki’s before she submitted her name to be considered – and it’s great that someone of her acumen will be part of our touring family. I can’t wait to hit the road with Kiki as part of our mad circus. It’s definitely an exciting moment for The Smashing Pumpkins to be this busy with touring in 2024. We’ll see you all this summer!"

Revealing the cat was out of the bag, "It's been an absolute wild ride, but I am beyond honored and humbled to be chosen to perform alongside some of rock's greatest and most influential musicians of all time," Wong said on her Instagram. "I never thought little ole 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment. It goes to show hard work and perseverance truly pays off if you're willing to push through the tough stuff, so never lose hope out there."

The Smashing Pumpkins 2024 North American tour dates:
July 29 – Nationals Park – Washington, D.C.*
July 31 – Kee to Bala – Muskoka, Ontario
Aug. 1 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, Ontario*
Aug. 3 – Osheaga Festival – Montreal, Quebec
Aug. 4 – Maine Savings Bank Amphitheatre – Bangor, Maine
Aug. 5 – Citi Field – New York*
Aug. 7 – Fenway Park – Boston*
Aug. 9 – Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia*
Aug. 10 – HersheyPark Stadium – Hershey, Pa.*
Aug. 13 – Wrigley Field – Chicago*
Aug. 14 – Starlight Theatre – Kansas City, Mo.
Aug. 16 – Illinois State Fair – Springfield, Ill.
Aug. 17 – Target Field – Minneapolis*
Aug. 20– Vibrant Music Hall – Des Moines, Iowa
Aug. 21 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
Aug. 22 – Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati*
Aug. 24 – American Family Field – Milwaukee*
Aug. 27 – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park – Simpsonville, S.C.
Aug. 28– Truist Park – Atlanta*
Aug. 30 – Geodis Park – Nashville, Tenn.*
Sept. 1 – PNC Park – Pittsburgh*
Sept. 4 – Comerica Park – Detroit*
Sept. 7 – Coors Field – Denver*
Sept. 10 – BankPlus Amphitheatre at Snowden Grove – Southaven, Miss.
Sept. 11 – Globe Life Field – Arlington, Texas*
Sept. 14 – SoFi Stadium – Los Angeles*
Sept. 18 – Chase Field – Phoenix*
Sept. 20 – Oracle Park – San Francisco*
Sept. 21 – Grand Sierra Resort – Reno, Nev.
Sept. 23 – T-Mobile Park – Seattle*
Sept. 24 – BECU Live at Northern Quest – Airway Heights, Wash.
Sept. 25 – Providence Park – Portland, Ore.*
Sept. 27– BleauLive Theater – Las Vegas
Sept. 28 – Petco Park – San Diego*
* The Saviors Tour with Green Day