Billy Corgan is giving Olivia Rodrigo high praise, pointing to her creativity, musical instincts, and willingness to embrace imperfections as reasons he admires her work.
During an October 22 appearance on the Popcast podcast, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman discussed what makes Rodrigo stand out among younger artists. He praised her confidence in exploring different musical influences without feeling pressured to make every recording sound perfect.
Corgan also addressed comparisons between Rodrigo’s music and the Smashing Pumpkins’ catalog. Rather than viewing those similarities negatively, he welcomed the connection between their musical styles.
Their mutual appreciation became especially visible when Corgan joined Rodrigo onstage at Lollapalooza 2026 to perform the Smashing Pumpkins song 33.
Rodrigo has also received recognition from established performers, including Sheryl Crow, Mick Jagger, Robert Smith, and Jack White.
For Corgan, working with younger musicians offers an opportunity to connect with artists who discovered his music outside the debates and criticism that surrounded his band’s earlier years.
His comments highlight the musical connection between two generations of alternative rock artists.