NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2026
The last time I covered the Pretty Reckless was at Stage AE in Pittsburgh back in July 2022. At the time, I was amazed that it was their first headlining show since 2017 but, lo and behold, here we are in 2026 and it’s their first headlining tour since 2022!! That doesn’t mean they haven’t been busy, supporting AC/DC on their world tour the last two years, and working on and releasing their fifth studio album Dear God (released June 26, 2026). The first single off this record “For I Am Death” came out in August of last year and made immediate impact, blasting to number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, as did their March 2026 single “When I Wake Up”. The album is dark regardless whether the song is a fast hard rocker or a rock ballad. Definitely one of my top albums of the year.
Their current headlining tour runs alongside AC/DC’s tour, allowing the band to squeeze shows in where they can while continuing to open for AC/DC at their tour stops. Two months into their own tour, The Pretty Reckless stopped at House of Blues in Cleveland for a sold out show. Originally scheduled to October 10th, the show was re-scheduled due to lead singer Taylor Momsen joining Soundgarden to play a halftime show at the Seattle Seahawks opener with the New England Patriots. Before doors opened, the queue outside the House of Blues was already down the block and around the corner, evidence that a change of date would not deter the Pretty Reckless fans from attending. In fact, the venue was already packed before the opener, unusual because many concert goers don’t arrive until just before the headliner’s set time.
Punk band doug. (with a period) from Portsmouth, NH opened this night. Paris Jackson (yes, Michael’s daughter) had been the second opener but was not able to make this rescheduled show. With not much information online, the band looks like they could have just finished high school and walked out of their parents’ garage. But when they began…WOW!!! With a super heavy guitar from Ben LeBeau, screaming vocals from lead singer Alex Paquin, and the constant throbbing from bassist Evan Paquin and drummer Lucas Turner, they’re more reminiscent of a death metal band than a punk band. Blowing through a short set, this young band really energized the crowd and got them ready for The Pretty Reckless. Besides a self-titled EP, their debut studio album Beholder was released back in September 2024. Check them out.
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The Pretty Reckless wasted no time in getting the audience going, opening with “Death by Rock and Roll”. Frontwoman Taylor Momsen was in fine form, her growling voice reverberating through the venue. She seemed to be dressed a bit warmly with a leather jacket over a flannel shirt over a white top, capped off with a leather skirt and platform Dr Martens. As usual, guitarist Ben Phillips, bassist Mark Damon, and guitarist Logan Nikolic played the chill backing band, often in the shadows. In fact, I could barely see drummer Jamie Perkins!!
They followed up with “Since You’re Gone”, “Follow Me Down”, and “Miss Nothing”, a trio of songs from earlier albums. But just as I was wondering when they would start performing songs from their latest album (since this was their Dear God tour), they hit us with “For I Am Death”! The band seemed more interactive with their fans than I remembered, joking around and bantering back and forth with each other as well as with the crowd, really adding to the concert experience. Momsen even came down off the stage to hug and high five those lucky enough to be at the barricade. I was watching the show from the hallway on the side and managed to get a great view of her easy way with the crowd, totally having them wrapped around her little finger!
Given their extensive catalogue, I was surprised that The Pretty Reckless setlist was just fifteen songs, with eight from Dear God. I’m sure there were many fan favorites that were missed but it didn’t seem like anyone was disappointed. This was one of the better concert crowds that I’ve seen this year, with everyone excited and singing along, dancing, or head banging. Absolutely no one was just standing around chatting like I often see at shows nowadays. The Pretty Reckless wrap up their fall tour at the end of the month, with just four more headlining shows. Rock and roll is dead? I don’t think so.
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