The Pretty Reckless Bring Passion and Attitude to Manchester Academy [Photos]

It’s been five years since The Pretty Reckless hit the UK but the Taylor Momsen-fronted rockers are back ahead of the release of their compilation album, Other Worlds, which hit stores shortly after these dates.

Now, it would be fair to say that to be taken into the arms of the rock fraternity, you really have to earn your stripes. In the early days, the sight of the Hollywood celebrity strutting her stuff on stage was met with some suspicion from the more critical rock fan but, watching Momsen stalking about the stage, there really can be nobody left who sees her as anything other than the real deal.

Opening with “Death by Rock and Roll”, the title track of their latest album released in 2021, the confidence and attitude with which Momsen and her bandmates own the stage makes for truly addictive viewing. Continuing through a set which featured a good chunk of that album including “Only Love Can Save Me”, “And So It Went” and “Witches Burn”, The Pretty Reckless are on fire tonight.

As for the star of the show, we all know Momsen as a star of the big screen but watching her spinning around the stage, it’s clear that this firecracker of a vocalist is just as much at home treading the boards as a fully-fledged rock star. Of course, there have been the doubters and naysayers who dismiss her and the band because of her celebrity status but the energy, the fire and the unbridled passion she puts into tracks like “My Bones” and a particular sleazy “Make Me Wanna Die” simply cannot be taught in school.

Just over an hour or so earlier, The Pretty Reckless kicked off their set with a song called “Death by Rock and Roll”. On the evidence of tonight, there really can be no better way to go.

The Pretty Reckless (w/ The Cruel Knives) @ O2 Academy (Manchester, UK) on October 26th, 2022

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