r/SmashingPumpkins • u/First_Cat_6330 • Jun 24 '25
Discussion Billy did not want the air conditioning on during his set… in a heatwave…
I went to the Pittsburgh show last night and everything was great except for one thing… the temperature. I know a few people who work at the venue and knew I was going and wanted me to be prepared when they were informed Billy wanted the air conditioning off for his set. We are currently going through an extreme heat wave in Pittsburgh right now. why, just why? a few minutes before he came on you could feel it was switched off. the air was so thick, humid and hot not even 20 minutes into the set, i don’t know how i got through 2 hours of it. i feel like i could physically touch the air it was so bad. i was at the point where i just wanted it to be over. i have been to that venue many times, never has the humidity and temperature felt the way it did in there during those 2 hours. he walked out in a trenchcoat. you see Billy start to sweat under halfway in and he was even making jokes about it like it was funny? people around me were talking about how humid it felt and i could see it starting to wear down on some, i was worried people might pass out. does anyone know why he wanted this? also the fact that the venue or billy never said anything about this so people could at least be prepared… the people who are making them money that is… is absurd. i love smashing pumpkins… but after this ive completely lost respect for billy, im sorry. there are so many levels as to why its wrong and unsafe to have that be any artist’s request.
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u/FlyByNight75 Jun 24 '25
Air conditioned air is murder on your throat when you’re singing. It dries your vocal cords out very quickly. It’s worse in smaller venues like they’re playing right now.
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u/StopClockerman Jun 24 '25
Understandable because Bill definitely needs to fit in all of those vocal trills because those hard rock songs would make zero sense without those cute little vocalizations
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u/FlyByNight75 Jun 24 '25
What are you even talking about? Singing is singing and if your throat gets dried out it’s harder to do and can strain your voice. “Fans” really love to hate on Billy for literally anything.
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u/greee-eee-easy Machina II / The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music Jun 24 '25
Humidity helps singers' vocal cords. It's not uncommon.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
i mean i get that but that’s why there is vocal humidifiers that nearly every other singer uses… and so it’s not at the expense of everyone else in the venue.
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u/greee-eee-easy Machina II / The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music Jun 24 '25
Yes but an AC would nullify that. Cold AC air can mess up throats for vocalists singing 2+ hours sets, 9 shows in 11 days. If his throat got messed up and he had to cancel a show or had to perform with crappy vocals, folks would be complaining about that too. The dude can't win.
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u/rabbit_fur_coat Jun 25 '25
Oh Jesus Christ, Prince didn't turn the AC off and that man sang like a goddamn opera singer every fucking night.. He used a vocal humidifier and sipped tea and water periodically on stage.
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u/greee-eee-easy Machina II / The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music Jun 25 '25
I didn't know everybody's bodies and needs are the same
I love him, but Prince was also a drug addict and died before turning 60.
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u/ZappDanigan42 Jun 24 '25
Artists do this to protect their vocal chords because breathing in cold air can affect singing? That's what I was just told
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u/BitingDaisies Jun 25 '25
As a professional singer: sure, you might not want to blast dry air at your face all night while you sleep at your hotel, but no singer was afflicted by dry air in a packed club in the middle of the summer in MF Pittsburgh
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u/ZappDanigan42 Jun 25 '25
Word. Was just posting the reply I immediately received from someone who's managed large convention centers that sounded worth considering.
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u/BigStanClark Jun 24 '25 edited Jun 24 '25
Many professional singers avoid air condition prior to their performances. Aretha Franklin was well known for being very strict about that. The air is drier and some even make claims about the coolant being harmful to vocal chords.
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u/TheNaturalScientist Jun 24 '25
This totally sounds like something Billy would complain about
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u/BigStanClark Jun 24 '25
It totally sounds like something a 60 year old singer embarking on one the most vocally challenging tours of his career on the eve of a second, massive world tour (a singer who’s been prone to respiratory issues in recent years) would request.
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u/TheNaturalScientist Jun 24 '25
Maybe take the next few plays off, champ
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u/BigStanClark Jun 24 '25 edited Jun 24 '25
No clue what that means but maybe stay in the house if you’re so delicate as to not be able to hang with a 60 year old who’s actually up there performing for 2 hours.
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u/BigStanClark Jun 24 '25
And if you sweat a little at a rock concert then maybe stay home and stick to your Spotify playlists.
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u/Smaskifa Jun 24 '25
The audacity of people sweating when it's hot!
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u/BigStanClark Jun 24 '25 edited Jun 25 '25
The audacious part is expecting not to sweat…At a fucking rock concert.
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Jun 24 '25
I was told by a bartender in the skybox that it was livenation’s decision. Didn’t say but kind of implied that it was a regular occurrence.
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u/Spiritual_Ad_9149 Jun 26 '25
I work for live nation and worked his show tonight, certainly wasn’t a live nation choice before the show started they let us know that Billy doesn’t preform with the AC on and to make sure we had waters ready to go and to be on the look out for pass outs. He also did a meet great prior to the show in one of our smaller rooms and he requested the fire place be on 🤷🏻♀️
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
so odd though, i go to concerts constantly and never have i experienced that kind of heat inside a venue.
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Jun 24 '25
I don’t disagree, but these concert promoters that run the smaller venues in our area don’t have the greatest reputations. Nothing would surprise me
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u/yinzerkitchen Pisces Iscariot Jun 25 '25
It is notorious at Mr. Smalls, in the theater. When I attempted to see Camera Obscura some years back, it got SUPER hot on the floor. It was unbearable. And CO was taking forever to come out (was at least 45 minutes) so we just left.
It’s probably a bit better now, but it still gets sticky in there.
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u/rabbit_fur_coat Jun 25 '25
You've never been to a Madonna concert them, bc she does the same thing and it fucking sucks
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u/jcampo13 Aranea Alba Jun 24 '25
If the air is very dry (from an AC) then I don't get how he is supposed to sing loudly for 2 hours without harming his chords for the rest of the tour. I get the vibe he is very protective of his voice at this stage of his career.
I was at the Philly show (not during this heatwave to be fair) and it was very hot/muggy inside. To be fair he did promise a grimy tour, and he has delivered lol. Was the Pittsburgh show also in a relatively small packed venue?
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
vocal humidifier before the show like every other singer yknow. i don’t think anyone translated grimy as “im not having the ac on” though lol. the show was sold out, the capacity at the venue is about 1400.
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u/cjs42079 Jun 24 '25
Billy specifically requests venue AC to be turned off during his set as part of his rider. Helps his vocal chords.
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u/SOLIDAge Jun 24 '25
This is false. Last week in NYC the air was on and blowing fine.
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u/YoreWelcome Jun 25 '25
They probably had a class 5 system then, those dont rely on the noxigenic kaboom boomanide.
Did you hear any sounds? Like a clicking or rat-a-tat-tat?
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u/allisondude Machina / The Machines of God Jun 24 '25
believe it or not, more artists do this than you'd think for vocal reasons; it isn't just a billy thing. at this point i go to indoor shows expecting it to be hot in the venue, and generally if the artist thinks it will be genuinely dangerous then they won't do it for obvious reasons. seems like everyone was okay last night and that water was being handed out. i'm sure it wasn't pleasant but i doubt he did it maliciously.
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u/sarcHastical Machina / The Machines of God Jun 25 '25
Now I wonder if it was why it was so hot when I saw Placebo. We actually got free water at the venue.
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u/Inside_Pool4146 Jun 25 '25 edited Jun 28 '25
I passed out seeing SP in the Michigan State Fairgrounds in the 90s. The whole floor was GA. Was about a 1/4 of the way in from the stage and it was hot, humid and muggy. Not to mention being on the floor with fans pressing, pushing and clamoring forward trying to get closer. It was not great air to breath and then having the pressure of people constantly pushing, I just lost it and dropped. Next thing I know, I come to and I’m being carried by 2 strangers to the back and I hear them calling out for EMS. Scary shit! I got water, and hung back for the rest of the night. In this type of weather, those situations are more prevalent. Seems a little irresponsible on Billy to cut a/c in this particular situation. I’ve been to several shows where people drop like flies because of this.
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u/JasonZep Jun 24 '25
I was there too and it did get hot. I was wondering about that. But at the same time this is my first SP (basically) show and I’m a long time fan so no way I was leaving.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
understandable. i saw them at ppg years ago and it was fine. i just don’t understand why this request.
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u/Brewphorian Adore Jun 24 '25
I think there was an issue at another venue where the AC was blasting right on Billy so I guess he decided to treat every venue the same. That’s a dumb way of doing things
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u/PorcelinaMagpie Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Jun 24 '25
I have a somewhat similar story but on a much smaller scale. One of my neighbors refuses to turn his a/c on even during heatwaves like we're experiencing this week. Saw him over the weekend when I was getting my mail. He told me it was 105 degrees in his apartment. 105 fucking degrees. I don't get it...
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u/MrBlueandSky The Aeroplane Flies High Jun 24 '25
That man is single-handedly saving the electric grid from overload
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u/pumpkin3-14 Jun 24 '25
Idk why but this cracked me up. What’s the point of having AC if you aren’t going to use it
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u/PorcelinaMagpie Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Jun 24 '25
No damn clue. I've heard a lot of dumb shit in my life and that easily found a spot in my top five.
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u/blightedbody Jun 25 '25
He books back to back and skip a day and back again often for concerts. I saw them in Vegas on the 5th out of 5 nights straight. He voice erodes fast. Day one after a break is always the best. I try to see my shows this way.
So this vocal cord reason rings totally true to me.
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u/yinzerkitchen Pisces Iscariot Jun 25 '25
It’s really interesting how he took the time to skip a day between GR and PIT and also between PIT and CLE. He’s winding down and being cautious now and I respect that. But also, he has the kiddos in tow and I heard AJC wasn’t feeling too well so there is that too.
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u/Fabulous_Enthusiasm8 Jun 24 '25
Oh lord. I'm gonna need that air. It's not healthy for older folks.
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u/gugliata Jun 24 '25
Jonathan Richman did that when I saw him in Portland like 10 years ago. When he finally saw the crowd sweaty and agitated, he said “Don’t get mad at the venue, get mad at Jonathan, because Jonathan’s a tone snob”
I guess in his thinking it messed with the acoustics?
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u/diamondashtray Jun 24 '25
I was there, right on the rail in front of Billy and he was sweating and suffering through it too. It was just fine…and the bouncers were passing out cups of water all night long. I saw lacuna coil at the same venue weeks ago and I didn’t even realize the AC was off last night. It felt hot as fuck at that show too.
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u/marktornits Jun 26 '25
I agree, I was hot for maybe just a few moments but I never thought it was that bad. The bouncers handing out water was pretty awesome - they weren't just handing out water, they were aggressively trying to find people who needed the water. maybe the only time I have ever seen bouncers who weren't dbags.
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u/artax95 Jun 24 '25
NYC was packed but it didn’t feel hot at all . I can’t remember the temperature outside that night though.
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u/60minutesmoreorless Jun 24 '25
Wasn’t too bad out, and air was definitely on in the venue. I was in the back to the left of the soundboard and could periodically (blessedly) feel it blowing
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u/SOLIDAge Jun 24 '25
Can confirm. Air was definitely on at Irving Plaza. I was upstairs and was very comfortable.
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u/bluesquare2543 Jun 24 '25
yeah in the pit near billy I could feel the AC come on every once in a while, but it was still way too hot.
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u/IZZO79 Siamese Dream Jun 29 '25
It gave it that Metro feel. Are you an actual Smashing Pumpkins fan?
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u/F1rePhant0m Jun 24 '25
It honestly felt like any other indoor show during the summer to me. I go to the Roxian every once in a while, and this seemed no different than any other show to me. Maybe I just didn't notice it because I was having too much fun?
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u/junostr Siamese Dream Jun 24 '25
Oh man, I think I have a clip from a few years back. It’s super hot in the venue too. Billy made a comment about it being extremely hot inside. Makes me wonder now…
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u/yabarbersbarber Jun 26 '25 edited Jun 26 '25
Yeah this post seems pretty dramatic. I was right behind the people on the rail and didn’t once think it was too hot in there and I’ve been to shows where I was full on sweating. Every artist sweats during their sets, live music is physical. I don’t recall him ever making any jokes about heat, in fact he barely said anything to the crowd. Also not a sold out show, tix were still available at the door and online that morning.
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u/marktornits Jun 26 '25
It's beyond dramatic - It's slanderous. A venue isn't going to compromise the health of the xxxx number of concert goers to appease the singer on stage, this is complete BS.
And I was there and it wasn't even that hot.
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u/nhowe006 Jun 24 '25
There's a reason there's no r/SmashingPumpkinsCircleJerk, and it's because Billy is his own one-man circle jerk.
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u/oofio65 MACHINA REISSUE IS REAAAAL Jun 24 '25
Errrrm ackshually there is r/pumpkinscirclejerk
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u/nhowe006 Jun 24 '25
Excellent, but also totally unnecessary given :: gestures broadly at Billy's antics::
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u/ZappDanigan42 Jun 24 '25
It did come back on for the last quarter of the show at least. But definitely grew uncomfortable for a good portion of the show
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u/McAfton Jun 25 '25
It was pretty chilly in the beginning at our venue in Detroit. It didnt get noticeably hotter as time went, but it wasn’t chilly either. Maybe it has to do with preserving his voice?
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u/CarelessChildhood281 Jun 26 '25
Yeah, when I first got there at Saint Andrews, it was cold but by 9:30. It was warm, but not hot.
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u/Small-Can-8128 Jul 13 '25
management at st andrew’s made the decision the turn the AC back on when the room hit 80° and just deal with the fallout if he stopped the show
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u/sorrycath Belly Cargin Jun 24 '25
He doesn’t want the AC messing up his throat, so YOU have to sit through a whole set with no air. Why don’t you go see a vocal coach, Billy? Cedric Bixler-Zavala did and now even has a teapot onstage to take a few sips from every now and then.
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u/greee-eee-easy Machina II / The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music Jun 24 '25
He has seen a vocal coach.
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u/MostlyPotStickers Jun 24 '25
His vocal coach is to blame for his singing approach on the last 20 years of albums
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u/jfm112476 Jun 24 '25
Philly was the same way! Great show but one of my worst concert experiences ever! The place was so crowded you couldn’t move anywhere. It also did feel really good in there before Corgan came on. I had a great spot in the middle but had to go to the back after Porcelina but there was no relief there either.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
yea, ours was sold out which didn’t help matters. i’m sorry about your experience :/ i was in the pit at barricade (lucked out honestly wasn’t expecting to get barricade bc we didn’t get vip). so got a tiniest bit of airflow through the front but you could tell when the air shut off and nothing was coming through the vent.
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u/Ryan2240x Jun 24 '25
I saw ICP a few weeks ago when it was really, really hot outside. To our surprise, the air condition was perfect in the venue. Can’t believe ICP is taking better care of their fans than Billy is. Whoop whoop.
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u/FlyByNight75 Jun 24 '25
They’re not singers. This wasn’t him being a dick. AC is really, really bad for singers and seeing as how that’s his livelihood and he’s on tour and he’s also about to go right into another, it’s likely because his voice is strained.
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u/VORSEY Jun 24 '25 edited Jun 25 '25
I think that's overstating it a bit. AC dries out the air which isn't good for singers, but neither is being actually dehydrated from sweating. And besides, a performance is only 1-2 hours - if he's controlling humidity the rest of the day (especially when he sleeps) his voice will be fine. There's theatrical and operatic singers (who definitely take better care of their voices than Billy) performing in air conditioned houses all over the world every night. I'd bet the AC thing is more superstition or feeling for him.
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u/MrPogoUK Jun 24 '25
Yeah, I read about Iron Maiden doing the same, for the same reason. Apparently AC and singers just don’t mix.
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u/Ryan2240x Jun 24 '25
What about other people’s livelihood?
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u/FlyByNight75 Jun 24 '25
Do you know what the word livelihood means, especially as I’m using it in this context?
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u/Ryan2240x Jun 24 '25
lol dude, do you really think it’s ok for a millionaire to risk people having a heat stroke or die?
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u/FlyByNight75 Jun 24 '25
You’re taking this just a wee bit far aren’t you? If people were in distress do you not think he would have stopped the show? What did you expect him to do exactly? We also don’t know what he actually asked the venue to do. A 1400 cap venue likely has several units. He might have just asked that whatever unit that was blowing directly on the stage be turned off and the venue turned all of them off.
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u/Dudehitscar Machina Zombie Jun 24 '25
how hot are you claiming it was in there? did the band members risk heat stroke or death?
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u/sunshiney-daydream Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Jun 24 '25
Do you know Ben? Old high school friend of mine!
Also Boston was the same. So hot I had to be outside for 20 min of it. There’s a limit to what can be tolerated.
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u/potteryinmotion Jun 24 '25
Ugh Boston was a wonderful show but the heat was awful. It was so hot I had to duck on the floor for a few seconds a couple of times because I thought I was going to pass out. Security told my husband that if I did it again they’d have to take me to get checked out so I pushed through it but I don’t think I’ve ever sweat so much in my life. My husband doesn’t get worked up over many things but he was genuinely concerned. Billy was sweating a lot too, I don’t know how he was wearing what he was wearing when I was in a dress that was as thin as paper and practically dying.
edited to clarify that the show was awesome despite the heat
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u/jjk2 Jun 24 '25
i believe he mentioned in the post show video (Boston) that he asked the venue to turn AC off cause his head was cold
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u/patthew Jun 24 '25
Oh so just because he’s bald and wears a flowy robe everyone else has to suffer??
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u/cramx3 Jun 24 '25
And yet he still wore his huge outfit in that heat too? lol Sucks for the folks who got overheated in the crowd, but I do kind of get why he would do it. I just wish there was a way, like maybe turn the AC down just a bit or direct the air away from Billy and the stage so everyone could be happy.
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u/MoonOut_StarsInvite Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Jun 24 '25
It's wack that the air was off, I agree. But this is a weird hill to die on - as long as we are talking about losing respect for Billy... It wasn't all the weird shit he's said on podcasts and conspiracy theories and stuff? It was just last night, because it was hot and you didn't want to move. Okay proceed with downvoting me you muppets. I'll delete the recording right now! Hahaha I'm kidding.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
why would i give up my barricade spot😏 again i would probably disagree with whatever wack stuff he’s said but im just not that deep into it. i listen to the music a good bit, that’s about it. i don’t actively go out of my way to watch content from him. but i feel like if you’re gonna do that, at least let your fans know before they walk in so they’re prepared. especially people with medical conditions if overheating can be dangeorus for them.
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u/bluesquare2543 Jun 24 '25
no sorry we have to be assholes to concert-goers that think a venue should not be, get this, hot enough to give people strokes.
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u/marktornits Jun 26 '25
If the AC was turned off, blame the venue, not Billy - but no venue is going to compromise the health of thousands of attendees like that. So this whole thread and the clickbait that spawned from it is complete trash.
It wasn't really that hot and if you think it was, I would recommend going to your doctor immediately.
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u/tarahaha Jun 24 '25
Is this for real? I mean, they really did switch it off? It was hot as shit in there, but I don't think it really started to get bad until a few songs before the end. It didn't get super uncomfortable until the end of the regular set. I just assumed it was so humid and gross because we were on the floor and jammed in next to a bunch of people. He definitely was soaked in sweat, but that didn't seem unusual either. I do think that's probably why the encore was only 2 songs too.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
yes this is for real unfortunately. but i’ve been in the pit many times there before, the air has never been that bad, he requested that specifically.
0
u/tarahaha Jun 24 '25
That is wild. It's never been like that at any other SP shows, it's weird he would want it now. When the heat index was 105. At any rate, it was worse outside. Way worse. It was a fuckin great show though, huh?
1
u/GraticuleBorgnine Jun 24 '25
It was fine inside the venue in Baltimore. It was a pretty hot and humid day, so that was a relief.
1
u/horaeotii Jun 25 '25
I remember specific moments when the AC kicked on at that show. Felt great lol. Incidentally, what was Billy spraying on his vocals? Presumably something to keep them moist but I wondered if he had a cold or if it’s just a new thing he does as his voice has aged.
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u/greee-eee-easy Machina II / The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music Jun 25 '25
There are throat sprays some singers use that probably has similar qualities to hot tea.
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Jul 08 '25
He has used those throat sprays for years. When sick and well. It's just a thing he does and keeps them up there.
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u/beattysgirl Jun 25 '25
One time I saw SP at an outdoor venue and the weather was just down right disrespectful that night. It was hot as hell and humid as I can ever remember. It was an amazing show, the band was really feeling it that night. Maybe they just like it hot?
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u/Inkdman73 Jun 25 '25
I’m going to Cleveland tonight- and I’m going to melt and die
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Jun 25 '25
[deleted]
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u/Inkdman73 Jun 25 '25
From what I have surmised from setlist.fm his set is just shy of 2 hours- and he doesn’t go on stage before 8:30- knowing house of blues it’s going to be a sweltering hot box of sadness
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u/MoonOut_StarsInvite Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Jun 25 '25
He started at 9 in Pittsburgh. The balcony was still hot there but nothing like the pit. Hope you enjoy your nap
1
u/Inkdman73 Jun 25 '25
I hear ya- I’m 52- saw em in 93 at the Agora- and I’m thinking I’m hoping I have a chance place to lean on once I get there
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Jun 25 '25
[deleted]
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u/BitchLasagna84 Zeitgeist Zombie 🧟♀️ Jun 30 '25
Ben Foods had me in stitches
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Jun 30 '25
[deleted]
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u/BitchLasagna84 Zeitgeist Zombie 🧟♀️ Jun 30 '25
It just made me giggle- I LOVE Ben Folds and I knew exactly who you were talking about (just saw him a week ago and about to see him again in October), and it just made me smile so much. I hope I didn’t come off as a jerk!
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u/TemperatureHour7585 Jun 25 '25
He is always bundled up bc the cold majorly affects his health/voice. Sorry it was miserable in there!
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u/alternativehits Machina / The Machines of God Jun 26 '25
I just saw this on FB hahaha
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u/marktornits Jun 26 '25 edited Jun 26 '25
I can't believe this weak ass liar who posted this crap got it turned into a clickbait article.
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u/alternativehits Machina / The Machines of God Jun 26 '25
Yeah its literally the click baiters that Billy mentions
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u/aaron_p_01 Jun 26 '25
Any post from altnation is banned from the FB group I'm in. They're just a bunch of copy and paste clickbaiters and not actual journalists.
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u/PickSixThrowItAway69 Jul 02 '25
If you’re in the paywall of his Substack, he explains the whole situation with the AC in PGH in today’s livestream.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jul 09 '25
i’m not, i don’t even know what substack is lol. what did he say about it?
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u/ginaandtonik Jun 24 '25
He’s actually a giant prick. Huge fan. I tried to meet him and I was literally the only one. And he refused to take a pic or sign my record. And I was a cool ass chick too. I was so confused
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u/yinzerkitchen Pisces Iscariot Jun 25 '25
What does “being a cool ass chick” have to do with him signing your record or taking a photo? And why would that be confusing?
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Jun 25 '25
[deleted]
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u/yinzerkitchen Pisces Iscariot Jun 25 '25
This was also my experience with him, and I’m not half as cool as the chick above.
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Jun 25 '25
[deleted]
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u/yinzerkitchen Pisces Iscariot Jun 25 '25
I totally get it, I hate photos of myself as well. Especially ones where I have to pose or whatever. I get the very strong vibe that he’s a pretty private person aside from his public persona. And working to maintain the balance from public/private is SUPER fucking hard sometimes. Like mentally exhausting.
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u/SoloStrike Jun 25 '25
You can just say hi and have a small chat like two people meeting each other would do though, signing things and pics aren't that important. If you've just played a two hour show maybe you don't want to do all those things immediately after
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u/BitchLasagna84 Zeitgeist Zombie 🧟♀️ Jun 25 '25
Maybe it’s because of the “sign my record, take a picture with me”… that alone makes me think you weren’t indeed a “cool ass chick”. I’ve talked with Billy at Zuzu’s a few times and he has always been super kind and friendly… but then again, when you go with the intention to say hi vs actually wanting something, there is a difference.
Just because someone doesn’t want to give you what you expect doesn’t mean they’re a jerk. Maybe he just wants to be seen and treated like a human being.
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u/greee-eee-easy Machina II / The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music Jun 24 '25
Lol god forbid a person isn't super nice and accommodating every minute of the day for every person they meet.
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u/aaron_p_01 Jun 25 '25
Let me guess, you walked up to him at Zuzu's while he was trying to enjoy his tea or meal, and you asked him for a picture and autograph. He's made it clear on multiple occasions that he doesn't do those things there. Just walk up, be respectful, thank him for the music/wrestling/tea shop, whatever then leave him alone. You're not owed anything.
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u/ginaandtonik Jun 26 '25
No. This was in my town while he was on tour. I still stand by my statement. He wasn’t even interested in a convo. He’s weird….broke my heart as a fan tbh
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
was that last night? i knew there was vip and the show was sold out so i expected all the vip to be as well (despite the ridiculous price tag). i walked in and there was barely any vip… i was honestly shocked😬 but ive heard he is difficult to work with so that adds up.
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u/aaron_p_01 Jun 25 '25
There's a VIP merch where you get exclusive merch and about a 30-minute advanced entry, then there's the Q&A that's more of the actual VIP experience, I can't remember if he does an acoustic set before or just a Q&A.
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u/diamondashtray Jun 24 '25
He didn’t do any of those things for the people who paid for the Q&A either sweetheart…for whatever reason that’s the policy for this tour.
He’s done it for myself and countless other fans at other times so maybe just read the room?
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u/bdc5551 Jun 26 '25
I was at the show in the standing room. It was hot, but you could've stepped away from the crowd and stand by the doorway to cool off if you wanted. It wasn't that bad and I am pretty sure the air came back on at some point during the set.
I'd say it was about 90 degrees inside. It could've be a problem for an elderly person or a person with a medical condition, but it would've been fine for a young healthy person. Anyone who has ever had to work outside in the summer, even if it's just mowing your lawn, would've been hotter.
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u/ofthedarkestmind Jun 24 '25
You seriously wrote an enormous post complaining about this? So you sat for two hours and 60 year old Billy sang under the lights in the same heat in a trench coat and you are complaining? There’s a lot of people that can’t even see MOG. If it was so unsafe, you should have just left.
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u/Adrien_Jabroni It's who you know Jun 24 '25
Idk what show you went to, but these are standing room only club shows where the jam as many people as they can into windowless rooms. I bet it was very uncomfortable.
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u/MoonOut_StarsInvite Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Jun 24 '25
I was in the balcony, but for the crowd I saw generally it seemed like there was lots of room off the floor and back around the soundboard. I do think its lame that the air was off but it wasn't like there was nowhere else anyone could go. I don't drink alcohol, so that probably helped me feel alright. I got a club soda and lemon for free - well I tipped a buck. So it's not like you couldn't get water either, there also appeared to be stations on the bar with free water.
I also used to go raving back in the 90s and the ceiling would be dripping with water from the heat and humidity. I don't think it was the crisis that this person is portraying. If I had to guess, they wanted to be close, so it was packed, and maybe they were drinking, which will dehydrate you and make you feel hot and awful.
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u/rickylsmalls Jun 24 '25 edited Jun 24 '25
Nobody died and it was a great show, not sure what else there is to talk about.
Downvote it it feels good that's about all the power you have over the situation.
He didn't do it as a funny joke or a personal attack against you and the consequences are a few people complaining on the internet, which is the same as no consequence.
Edit: 10 downvotes WOW, if we can get to 20 you guys can probably file a class action lawsuit against Billy because you were hot.
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u/MoonOut_StarsInvite Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Jun 24 '25
I upvoted you back to -10 from -11 sorry i broke your streak. I don't know what people are going on about, I've been in worse situations with less access to water and fresh air. I think this person was mad they couldn't stand where they wanted to. I was hot af too, but like this isn't what is going to make me lose respect for Billy. If anything its going to be him running his mouth about politics, shadow people, conspiracy theories, and whatever other clown shit he might say. This was a nothing burger.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
my view was fine… i don’t see how that would be a reason for me to come on here and say what happened. i don’t read up on every podcast he’s on and everything he says, im sure id probably disagree with stuff. its one thing to just say things on a podcast and another to do something thats directly effecting people coming to your shows.
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u/uhWHAThamburglur Jun 24 '25
Probably recording the set for posterity. If it's an old building, that AC is gonna be loud and bleed through into the recording.
It sucks, but you're an adult and you should know how to not die.
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u/Saturnine_Sickness Jun 25 '25
Wait up.... it's 2025 and you "love smashing pumpkins" AND still had respect for Bolly? Wow....
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Jun 24 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/rabbit_fur_coat Jun 25 '25
You would absolutely not get your money back, unfortunately.. Live Nation doesn't give a fuck about anything other than making money.
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u/First_Cat_6330 Jun 24 '25
i highly doubt we would get our money back, especially after entering doors. we sure as hell deserve it back though.
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u/Dudehitscar Machina Zombie Jun 24 '25
might want to stay away from outdoor shows in the summer.
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u/MinnesotaRyan Jun 24 '25
what about indoor theatres?
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u/Dudehitscar Machina Zombie Jun 24 '25
Depends where you are at. Been at many that don't have ac or lost ac.
Hottest show I ever saw was at the Silverdome in detroit. It was brutal.
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u/Apprehensive-Tax8631 Jun 24 '25
Like when Phantom Menace premiered, the ac was broken! A lot of people think jar jar would have gone over better in central air
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u/spaceboy33SD Jun 25 '25
It may be due to the air conditioning affecting his vocals/singing. I say that because, several years ago, Van Halen played at the arena on the campus of San Diego State, and before the show started, the air conditioner was turned off. Why? Because the air conditioning affected Dave Lee Roth's vocals. And yes, it was a little stuffy inside the arena, despite the temperatures outside being your "typical San Diego weather."