I discovered The Pretty Reckless around the time that they released their self-titled EP in 2010, and first saw them live at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in December that year on their Light Me Up tour. I have seen them a bunch of times since, whenever they make it over to this side of the world, but having the opportunity to see them in such an intimate setting as The Underworld was just incredible. The moment I saw this show announced (less than a week prior) I was hoping that I would get the opportunity to go. Tickets sold out in seconds but I was very fortunate to be able to head along to cover the show for The Moshville Times.
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This very special underplay show was the smallest the band had played in London for 15+ years, and was in support of their upcoming new album Dear God which is due for release on 26 June. To the delight of the 10 or so photographers, there was a photopit which I have only seen there once before when I saw Amon Amarth in 2016 (photos and review here).
There was no support, and the band came on stage just after 8pm, opening with Death By Rock and Roll from their 2021 album of the same name, and were instantly met by screams of excitement from some of the younger fans, though the energy from everyone in the room – crowd and band – was high from the very start. Taylor Momsen is always a really engaging performer, and her love for rock and roll is very evident from the way she sings, moves around the stage, and interacts with fans. This was the fourth time I have photographed The Pretty Reckless and it is really great to have been able to experience and capture their journey and rise in popularity over the past 10+ years.
For a long-term fan of the band, it was also brilliant to see such a great range of their back-catalogue played in their usual polished way but in the more raw setting of a grassroots music venue. They played a fantastic set featuring songs from the up-coming album (such as my personal favourite so far – “For I am Death”), as well as some fan-favourites from their previous albums. I loved seeing the likes of “Just Tonight”, “Miss Nothing”, and “Make Me Wanna Die” from the band’s 2010 debut album Light Me Up played live again.
They ended their set by playing a brand new and unreleased track from Dear God – “About You” – which sounded great and slotted in perfectly with the rest of their set. The whole crowd seemed genuinely delighted to have experienced such a special performance, and watching people walk out of the venue smiling and discussing what a great time they had just had was really lovely to see.
If you missed out on getting tickets for this one-off show don’t worry, as the band will be back in the UK at the end of the year – dates below:
- 26 November: The Prospect Building, Bristol
- 27 November: Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
- 29 November: O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
- 1 December: O2 Academy Brixton, London
- 3 December: Barrowlands, Glasgow
Set List:
- Death by Rock and Roll
- Since You’re Gone
- Follow Me Down
- Miss Nothing
- Just Tonight
- Life Evermore
- For I Am Death
- Love Me
- When I Wake Up
- Sweet Things
- Witches Burn
- Make Me Wanna Die
- Going To Hell
- Heaven Knows
- Take Me Down
- Medicine
- About You
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The Pretty Reckless: official | facebook | instagram | spotify | youtube
All photos by Katie Frost Photography
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