NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
The Pretty Reckless headlined their first show since December 2017 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh on Friday, July 22nd. After their Paris show in 2017, little did they know that it would be almost five years before they would headline a show again. They had a tour planned in spring/summer 2020 that was pushed to the fall of 2020 and then cancelled. Even though they release the much acclaimed fourth studio album “Death by Rock and Roll” in February 2021, they postponed any touring until 2022. While they’ve been touring in support of Halestorm, Friday was the first time it was their show. And their fans were out in force packing into Stage AE, some waiting for hours on line before doors opened.
The first opening act is both well known and unknown. Lilith Czar spent most of her career as Juliet Simms, both as frontman for Automatic Loveletter and as a solo act. In addition, she was the runner up on the Voice in 2012. During the pandemic, she disappeared from social media for awhile and reappeared as Lilith Czar, and going from blonde to black hair. She release an album “Created From Filth and Dust” and started touring as a support act for Evanescence/Halestorm in December 2021. It’s been pretty much non-stop since then and the audience at Stage AE welcomed her energetic show with open arms.
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Mexican sister rockers The Warning then took the stage by storm and they were an eye-opener! With Daniela Villarreal on guitar and lead vocals, Paulina on drums, and baby sister Alejandra on bass, they showed what it means to put on a rock show! A big hit with the crowd was their cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” which they had released with Alessia Cara. This also happened to be the song that first gained them recognition when they posted their cover on YouTube when they were just 14, 12, and 9!! After releasing their third LP “Error” in June and with only older sister Daniela over 21, the sky’s the limit with this band! Check them out!
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As the guitar riff for “Loud Love” began, Taylor Momsen entered the stage and , of course, the crowd went nuts! With Ben Phillips screaming with his lead guitar, and Mark Damon (bass guitar) and Jamie Perkins (drums) providing that incredible thumping rhythm, the Pretty Reckless showed us why they should be headlining again. Momsen did her part with non-stop energy, making sure fans from every part of the venue got some attention, although it sometimes feels like she is still that fifteen year old jumping up and down with her tambourine in hand. Her vocals were spot on and especially noticeable during slower songs.
They played through songs from all records with notables being “Death by Rock and Roll” and the crowd singing along to “Heaven Knows”. It was great finally seeing them tour in support of their last record. Interestingly enough, Momsen didn’t pick up a guitar until the last song of the main set and really just played chords during the chorus. The first part of the encore was acoustic and absolutely fabulous. I’d definitely love to see the band do an acoustic tour in intimate venues. Here’s to looking forward to more headlining shows!
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