Yungblud and Billy Corgan Release Live Zombie Recording

A Landmark Performance in Chicago

On October 8, 2026, YUNGBLUD officially released the special live recording of his hit single "**Zombie**," featuring a guest appearance by Billy Corgan. The performance took place at the legendary **Riviera Theatre** in Chicago during a significant week for both artists. The recording captures the only time the duo has performed their reimagined version of the track together live.

The event was recorded on **July 30**, just one day before the British singer took the stage at **Lollapalooza**. On that Friday, he performed the penultimate set immediately preceding the headline performance by The Smashing Pumpkins. This live release follows the success of the studio collaboration, which was accompanied by an official music video directed by **Charlie Sarsfield** starring both artists.

The Evolution of a Chart-Topping Single

Originally featured on the album **Idols**, "**Zombie**" has become a career-defining track for the artist. It is currently the fastest-streaming single of his career, having accumulated over **200 million total streams**. The song also earned critical recognition with a Grammy nomination for "**Best Rock Song**."

The track was later reimagined through a collaboration with members of **THE SMASHING PUMPKINS**. Produced by **Matt Schwartz** and **Billy Corgan**, the new version brought the project full circle, as the original composition was deeply influenced by the band’s sound. The recording features the unmistakable guitar work of Corgan, along with drums and guitar from **Jimmy Chamberlin** and **James Iha**. This collaboration resulted in a sound that critics from **NME** described as a "**colossal wall of sound**" with a **90s makeover**, leaning into elements of Grunge and rock.

Other critical outlets also praised the reimagined version. **Rolling Stone** noted how the artist "**digs deeper into the quiet devastation of 'Zombie'**," while **Kerrang!** described the updated track as "**beefier, grittier but still crushingly emotional**," specifically highlighting the addition of Corgan’s vocals.

Grammy Success and Reflections on Rock Heritage

The release of the live recording comes amidst a major year for the Doncaster, England native, born **Dominic Harrison**. He recently secured his first Grammy Award at the **68th ceremony**, winning the prize for **Best Rock Performance**. The award was given for his version of "**Changes**," performed in **July 2025** during the farewell show for **Ozzy Osbourne** in Birmingham.

This period of the artist's career has been marked by efforts to bridge different generations of rock music. In addition to his work with Corgan, he collaborated with **AEROSMITH** on the track "**One More Time**," which reached the top of the **U.K. Albums Chart** and **Billboard’s Top Rock Albums** chart. Reflecting on his performance at the "**Back To The Beginning**" concert, the artist shared his thoughts on the impact of that moment with **The Hollywood Reporter**:

"That was probably the moment — I think it was bubbling — but I think the world started paying attention after that. I watched that back, and I don't know what the fuck came over me there. It's so amazing that it got nominated for rock performance, as actually the only live performance in the category. I think it's cool that something has got critically acclaimed for me, just telling the guy who got me into music and started everything for me that I love him. I was saying thank you. Honestly, when I left the stage, I did not expect it to ignite that much. I knew it was magic, and I knew that we came together — it's such a crazy moment. I felt like I was in a movie. I feel like I walked out to 50,000 people, half of 'em didn't know who I was. Half of 'em were probably wondering why the fuck I was there, or some of them probably didn't like me. That concert brought six generations of rock fans together, and I think it was the first time people had something in common with me. Like, oh, fuck, man, [he] just likes SABBATH. He just likes Ozzy, like me. I just tried to give it everything. It was the first moment that I've ever… I'm fucking riddled with ADHD, so when you're standing on stage with 20,000 people, you're like, oh look, there's a sign there and oh, there's a girl on her shoulders' there. You're seeing a million things in lights. It's like an ADHD person's fucking nightmare. I really centered [myself]. It was the first time I've ever sung a piece of music to one person."

— Yungblud