The Pretty Reckless Power Up Pasadena

april 18, 2025 - pasadena, california

The Pretty Reckless set the tone for a night of nonstop rock and roll on April 18th, and I was just one of thousands lucky enough to see it. Opening for AC/DC on their POWER UP tour, the band took the Rose Bowl stage for the second night in a row.

You may recognize frontwoman Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey from the ever-iconic Gossip Girl or even as little Cindy Lou Who, but don’t let the credits fool you—Momsen is a rockstar. Alongside incomparable band members Ben Phillips (guitar), Mark Damon (bass), and Jamie Perkins (drums), the band has scorched a path of blistering riffs, blunt lyrics, and relentless energy—the hallmarks of true rock music.

As the sun set in Pasadena, the opening riff of "Death by Rock and Roll", the titular track and major hit from their 2021 album 'Death by Rock and Roll', ripped through the stadium. Its heavy, rebellious sound meets sincerity in its heartfelt tribute to the band’s late longtime producer Kato Khandwala. The song serves not only as a gritty anthem for living life on the edge and to the fullest, but also as the perfect opener.

From there, the band turned it back to "Since You’re Gone", a song from their 2010 studio album debut 'Light Me Up'. Momsen stomped the length of the stage in a red slip, black leather jacket, and towering platform boots as she sang. She exuded nothing but the kind of “cool girl” energy others can only pretend to possess, making her performance look effortless.

Soon after came my personal favorite of the night. The unmistakable intro of "Follow Me Down" poured through the speakers and over the audience. The song begins with just under thirty seconds of uninterrupted pornographic moaning. It was at this moment I was transported back to middle school, praying nobody could hear what was playing in my earbuds as I looped their 2014 album 'Going to Hell' for the tenth time that week.

For those who have lived under a rock, AC/DC tapping The Pretty Reckless for their coveted opening slot may have come as a surprise. But this is exactly the kind of lineup we love to see from legendary bands: new blood and a glimpse into the future of the genre. The band may not be new, but there are still far too many people who’ve yet to discover what just might become their new favorite band. There’s still time, though—you can catch them opening on the POWER UP tour through May.