Who is Kiki Wong?
Before garnering a wide social media following through videos of her showing off her guitar skills, LA native and proud metalhead Kiki Wong was already a well-traveled musician. Across multiple touring gigs over the course of 10+ years, she has carved out opportunities where her talents are undeniable, whether in bands like Nylon Pink or Nissan commercials.
Most recently, Wong has joined The Smashing Pumpkins. After more than 10,000 prospective guitarists applied to The Smashing Pumpkins’ open audition for a guitarist on their upcoming world tour, Wong came out on top. Starting with the European leg of the tour, Wong will also be joining the band for the North American dates, including an LA date at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 14.
“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,” said Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan.
As the newest addition to The Smashing Pumpkins’ “mad circus,” as Corgan put it, Wong is more than qualified to be playing with a band that’s been going strong on the road for over three decades. Previously, she’s played for Taylor Swift and Usher, as well as bands like Vigil of War, of which she’s still a member.
“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,” said Wong. “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.”
Apart from touring with artists and bands around the world, Wong is known for her social media presence across multiple accounts, where she makes videos of her covering anything from Slipknot’s “Custer” to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” She recently joined forces with Tina Guo, Mia Asano, and Grace Kelly for the K-pop-metal medley “KPOP Goes Metal.” Alongside the classical instruments, her guitar skills are on full display, shredding it as per usual without indicating any signs of sweat.
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Reap What You Sow, the most recent album from Vigil of War, is another showcase for Wong, whose relentless shredding ignites the blaze fueling “Spoon Fed.” As singer Alicia Vigil paints an apocalyptic picture in the lyrics, Wong plays like rent is due and does not stop for a moment. Her love for metal and rock is also evident, giving the song an edge that falls in line with Vigil of War’s image and serves as a reminder of the music that inspired her to pick up the guitar.
Considering Corgan had to review all 10,000 applicants and narrow it down to one person, it’s no surprise that Wong was the one who stood out when she’s been playing like this for years. Until she joins touring mainstays Jack Bates (bass) and Katie Cole (guitar, keys, vocals) on stage, the work she’s done in the past speaks to the reasons why she can now add Smashing Pumpkins to a long list of artists and bands she’s stood alongside.
Words: David Sosa
For more on new music and tour dates, including an LA stop at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 14, follow Kiki Wong on Instagram.
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The Smashing Pumpkins 2024 North American Tour:
*The Saviors Tour with Green Day
7/29 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park*
7/31 – Muskoka, ON – Kee to Bala
8/1 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre*
8/3 – Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival
8/4 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Bank Amphitheatre
8/5 – New York, NY – Citi Field*
8/7 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park*
8/9 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park*
8/10 – Hershey, PA – HersheyPark Stadium*
8/13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field*
8/14 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
8/16 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fair
8/17 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field*
8/20 – Des Moines, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
8/21 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/22 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ballpark*
8/24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Field*
8/27 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
8/28 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park*
8/30 – Nashville, TN – Geodis Park*
9/1 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park*
9/4 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park*
9/7 – Denver, CO – Coors Field*
9/10 – Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheatre at Snowden Grove
9/11 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field*
9/14 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium*
9/18 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field*
9/20 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park*
9/21 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort
9/23 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park*
9/24 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest
9/25 – Portland, OR – Providence Park*
9/27 – Las Vegas, NV – BleauLive Theater inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas at Fontainebleau
9/28 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park*
