Best known for her role in the TV series "Gossip Girl," Taylor Momsen also formed The Pretty Reckless in 2009, playing alongside Mark Damon (bass), Jamie Perkins (drums) and Ben Phillips (lead guitar, backing vocals). The band play a brand of hard rock influenced by the likes of Nirvana, Joan Jett Hole that is very accessible.
Their debut album "Light Me Up" (released August 27, 2010) achieved moderate success, most notably with the single "Make Me Wanna Die." Following this album release they embarked on an international tour, also featuring as part of the line up for the Vans Warped Tour. Following this success, they were invited to perform as the support act for Marilyn Manson and Evanescence, which helped to establish new fans and grow The Pretty Reckless' popularity.
Their second studio album "Going to Hell" released in 2014 saw the band achieve a new level of success. The singles "Kill Me," "Going to Hell" and "Heaven Knows" were well received, with "Heaven Knows" topping both the UK and US rock charts. The Pretty Reckless achieved a number one spot with two of their first hit singles "Heaven Knows" and "Messed Up World," the first time a female-fronted band has done so. The band also had a song featured on the "Kick-Ass" soundtrack, with the single, "Make Me Wanna Die."
Great show, really put some effort in, and my daughter (who discovered this band for me) totally loved it. Only 1 1/2 hours long for the headline act, but for a band with only a couple of albums that's forgiveable, and with TWO support bands it was plenty late enough anyway! Wish there'd been time to fit in My Medicine to the setlist.
But what was with the light show? Don't get me wrong, I've no problem with doing something interesting with the lights - but the lighting designer here I think believed it was primarily a light show, with some music to accompany it. More annoyingly, all the lights were on the stage, and facing out into the audience, including some MAJORLY bright strobes.
Surely at least one of the functions of the lights is to enable the audience to see the band? In this case, the audience was mostly blinded by the lights shining straight at them, while the band stood in shadows. Fail.
Still, the packed audience was in a great mood, and enjoyed the show from start to finish, including both support bands.
Speaking of whom, Nothing More were... OK. A bit too much like being just noise, and with experimental bits, for me, but that's just my taste. Top marks for effort, especially the singer, and the cool drum thing in the last song. Heaven's Basement were much more enjoyable, with a hint of pop catchy-ness but the rawness and noise you need, I'll have to check out their recorded stuff.