THE SMASHING PUMPKINS PLAY BENEFIT SHOW

Chicago's own, The Smashing Pumpkins, will be in the flesh at Metro next Tuesday, July 27, playing a benefit concert for Madina Lake bassist, Matthew Leone.

Leone was hospitalized earlier this month after being brutally beaten in a street attack. Now, still in the hospital, Leone has no health insurance and is facing a mound of medical expenses. It's during these times that the music community has to look out for its own and that's exactly what we're doing. All ticket proceeds from the concert will go toward the Matthew Leone fund at Sweet Relief.

Tickets to the event go up for raffle on Wednesday, July 21st at noon. Read on for details:

There will be a raffle for tickets. Individuals can enter the raffle as many times as they wish for $10 each entry. A majority of the venue will be sold to raffle winners.  Each winner will receive two tickets to the concert.  Tickets are not transferable and winners must show ID matching their raffle entry.  Raffle tickets will be available for sale through Metro website only beginning Wednesday July 21 at noon. The raffle will end at 2pm on Saturday July 24, 2010, and winners will be notified via email at 5pm on Saturday July 24, 2010.

There will also be a very limited amount of balcony VIP tickets put onsale for those fans who want to make a larger donation and ensure entry into this special event for $100 each.  Balcony VIP tickets will go on sale Wednesday July 21 at noon.

Additionally, a limited amount of soundcheck VIP tickets will be available for $500 each.  The soundcheck VIP event (approximately 30 minutes), set for the late afternoon, includes a meet and greet/photo with the Pumpkins and merchandise items, plus a seat at a table in the balcony for the show; this package is priced at $500 per person.  Soundcheck VIP tickets will be available Wednesday July 21 at noon.

All proceeds from the raffle and concert will go to the Matthew Leone Fund at Sweet Relief. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems. For more information on Sweet Relief, visit www.sweetrelief.org.