The Pretty Reckless Plays 3-Day Sold Out Hometown Shows In NYC
Starting on Sunday December 11th until Tuesday December 13th, The Pretty Reckless played 3 back-to-back sold out shows in their hometown NYC at the Bowery Ballroom. This long awaited tour for their last album Death By Rock and Roll had been postponed since 2019 due to the global Covid-19 Pandemic. Even though it wasn’t the highly anticipated album release show for that year, this tour was well worth the wait.
The band that opened up the show was Nick Perri and the Underground Thievesset was a great start to an already exciting night ahead. With such natural grace and ability, each song flowed through every audience member in attendance creating an ambiance of sound that can only be their own. For most of the crowd, it's easy to say they gained many new fans including myself.
After this set, the crowd slowly grew in mass while the room was filled with anticipation. The fog machine assaulted anyone in front of the stage. Meanwhile over the course of the stage set up time, more and more fans crowded into the room and forced their way as close as possible to the stage. Once it was known that The Pretty Reckless were descending the stage, the room went completely wild as the bass from the speakers pounded in our ears and literally shocked our bodies to the core. The moment each member touched the stage, the crowd increasingly went wild then finally the powerhouse front woman Taylor Momsen made her entrance which led to the entire venue losing their minds.
The set started with none other than the title album hit Death By Rock and Roll. This of course made every fan go insane as Taylor Momsen danced around, sang her heart out with her fans, and even between songs would come right to the front of the stage to interact with the audience as they each melted by being acknowledged by her presence. I am happy to say, since there was no photography pit, I too was one of those fans when she bent down in front of me as we sang her songs together and she gave me a wink. One thing is for sure, she knows how to get her crowd going and the fun never ended.
They had even made sure to cover Soundgarden Loud Love as an ode to one of the most talented and beloved musicians of all time, the late and great Chris Cornell of the band Soundgarden/Audioslave who had suddenly and tragically passed away on May 18th, 2017 at the age 52 while they had been on tour as the opening band for Soundgarden. It’s true to say, nobody sings like you anymore. Rest In Power Chris, the world and music truly isn't the same without you.
Now, let's not also forget that Taylor Momsen was joined on stage by 3 great musicians that complete the band itself. Jamie Perkins who is an insanely talented drummer who blessed us all with incredible drum solos at the perfect moments during songs, Ben Phillips on lead guitar who shredded his heart out even with technical difficulties (shout out to John, hopefully I remembered your name correctly), and Mark Damon on bass who made sure to let the kids know that playing bass is badass and just as important to complete any great song and band.
To end the night, we were given two final encore songs Fucking the Free World and of course Fucked Up World. After their set, the fans still couldn’t get enough and my camera barely made it out alive as they each jumped at the chance to snag something to remember the night for. I can say, my camera and I made it out in one piece as I risked it all to escape the fandom-mania just in time, it clearly wasn’t my first rodeo. My only regret was not fighting my way out of the sold out show crowd for more photos which trapped me at the stage but despite it, I made the choice to live in the moment for once because it was truly a great night I’ll never forget.
Stay connected with The Pretty Reckless: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Get to know our Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Photographer; Writer Belindajean LaBoy: Instagram | Facebook | Email | Website
