Bristol O2 Academy – 1st November 2022
“But on my tombstone when I go
Just put “Death by Rock and Roll”
Taylor Momsen – lead vocals, rhythm guitar , Ben Phillips – lead guitar, backing vocals, Jamie Perkins – drums, Mark Damon – bass … The Pretty Reckless have always been the epitome of a rock n roll band. The look, the sound, the lifestyle. Hell I’m pretty sure if you open a dictionary and look up Rock n Roll band these four will be staring back at you.
So its always incredible to catch some of that sass, swagger & ultra coolness live. A stormy post Halloween night in Bristol at a sold out O2 arena just seemed like the perfect setting.
When the house lights faded to black, the unnerving sound of an air raid siren echoed around the arena. The darkness only ceasing when its broken by the occasional strobe burst. The siren fades and is replaced by the haunting husky rasp of Taylors vocal. A prickling excitement fills the air and the electrically charged atmosphere cracks into life as a wall of colour and noise illuminates the stage and the band is revealed.
No slow build up here, the crowd are instantly pummelled with “Death By Rock n Roll”, “Since You’re Gone” & “Only Love Can Save Me Know”. Taylor catches breath as she greats a city that is always a guaranteed sell out for the band.
The Halloween vibe is encapsulated by the spell that Taylor has cast over the throng of faces that stretches before her. Each one either lost in singing along with full gusto. Or utterly captivated and following her every movement and request for participation.
The set is strong. Very strong, but how can it fail to be? This hard rock, post-grunge, alt-rock behemoth of a band have been dominating for over a decade now and show no signs of slowing down.
Momsen’s mezzo-soprano vocal range sounds even better live than on record and is displayed in full as we whirl through the evergreen “Make Me Wanna Die” along with “Just Tonight” & “My Medicine” which will always be my personal favourite.
You forget how many utter global smash hits this band has had, the list is so long.
Saving some of the best for last the crowd become a sea of outstretched arms as Taylor climbs atop equipment boxes to lead them into the chorus of “Heaven Knows”. We close the set with a perfect rendition of “Going To Hell”.
The brand briefly disappearing before returning to encore with “Fucked Up World”… Fucked up world it may be, but with Bands like The Pretty Reckless at least we get to escape it for a few amazing hours.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography / The Bristol Nomad
