Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has defended the group's 20th anniversary tour, which has been widely criticised by fans.

In a speech during the group's hometown show in Chicago, Corgan questioned the crowd's mixed response to their latest material.

He also defended the setlists the band have used during their current tour, which have been described as “awful” and “poor” by US critics.

“For twenty years we’ve tried to make people happy and failed again, and again,” he said. “What is it? Is it the funny voice? How come people just aren’t happy with us?

“You know, sometimes crowds remind me of ex-girlfriends, and you remind me of this one that took a lot of my money and didn’t like me.

“She told me she loved me but she wasn’t really there for me. That’s what this reminds me of. It’s that kind of relationship”.

Corgan, who asked members of the audience who didn't trust the group to raise their hands, said the band's setlists, many of which have shunned old material, helped prove they were still an “alternative band”.

“Alternative means different to what everyone else is doing, including those reunion bands that go out and play the old songs," he said.

"For those of you we disappointed, we’re sorry, we hope you’ll give us another chance."

Smashing Pumpkins tour continues tonight (November 21st) at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre.

(by Jason Gregory)