What happens when gritty, modern hard rockers hit one of America’s most iconic stadiums? You get a collision of raw energy and grand scale—the kind that Taylor Momsen and her band deliver effortlessly. On April 18, things got electric at the Rose Bowl, where The Pretty Reckless opened for AC/DC, proving that they can hold their own on a massive stage while weaving intensity and emotion into every note.
Performing right as the sun started to dip, they captured the audience’s attention from the moment the first chords of “Death by Rock and Roll” rang out—a swaggering, evocative howl that set the tone for the night. The crowd may have been half-filled at the start, but by the end, it felt like everyone there suddenly became a diehard believer.
Full Setlist
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Death by Rock and Roll
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Since You’re Gone
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Follow Me Down
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Only Love Can Save Me Now
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Witches Burn
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Make Me Wanna Die
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Going to Hell
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Heaven Knows
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Take Me Down
The Energy
Opening with the title track from their latest album, The Pretty Reckless immediately grabbed the room. That guitar riff, laced with grit and reverb, set the stage for Taylor Momsen’s larger-than-life voice slicing through the evening air. The energy was rhythmic and raw. Once “Since You’re Gone” closed the door on the opening number, you could feel the band lock in as a unit—drums hitting like hammers, guitar lines curving with intention, and bass anchoring every step.
Despite starting early, the Rose Bowl felt alive. Maybe it was the way the band pulled everyone in with obsessional choruses and pounding beats. Each song built on the last, creating a pulse you couldn’t ignore. By “Going to Hell,” you’d swear the stadium lights dimmed just for their riffs to burn brighter.
Highlights & Crowd Moments
There were iconic moments that made this set unforgettable:
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“Only Love Can Save Me Now” felt cinematic. That throaty, crooning chorus hit like a confession, and in that moment, every face seemed fixed to the stage in silent awe.
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“Witches Burn”: a slower, darker anthem that shifted the mood. Taylor’s performance here wasn’t just singing—it was storytelling. The darkness didn’t fall—it settled, heavy and compelling.
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“Make Me Wanna Die” unleashed the crowd fully. The arena throbbed under the tension of the chords and the urgency of the vocals, and when the chorus dropped, it sparked a wave of reaction. People raised fists, heads bobbed, and the stage and crowd fused.
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“Heaven Knows”—sheer closure. Those stomping rhythms and commanding vocals turned the stadium into one mass chant—as though they were all on their feet, speaking their truth.
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Closing with “Take Me Down” brought it home tight. It feels like a victory lap anthem now, and the band delivered it with both precision and an embrace of everything they’ve become.
The Vibe
The Rose Bowl is a place built for spectacle, and The Pretty Reckless didn’t shrink to fit it—they owned it. Even with the AC/DC headliners looming, Momsen and her crew owned the opening slot. They delivered intensity, theatrical poise, and headbanging-worthy hooks that connected deeply, even across such a vast field.
Taylor’s stage presence is magnetic. She prowls in a baby-doll dress and combat boots—contrast and charisma in motion. Ben Phillips’ guitar is a revelation, razor-sharp and sometimes melting into metallic blues. His solos felt generous and real. And behind the scenes, Mark Damon and Jamie Perkins laid down rhythms that grounded the soaring front.
What made this feel more than a support slot was that by the ninth song, the crowd was watching like it was the main event. That’s hard earned—and they had it.
Tiny Quibbles
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Set was short. Nine songs are lean for stadium rock. But you could also see it as “no filler.” Every song mattered.
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The sound mix skewed a bit bass-heavy at times, slightly obscuring some of Taylor’s vocals early on. Still, that thrum is part of their appeal—grit over polish.
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No new singles from their upcoming era—fans were hungry for that next chapter. But the classics held firm.
Final Thoughts
If you want to know what modern hard rock can be, The Pretty Reckless at the Rose Bowl was it. They arrived with conviction, played with intensity, and exited leaving an audience on its knees.
They’re not just the future of rock—they’re the now. With albums spanning personal grief, anger, and defiance, they’ve carved space where nobody else could. And on that night, they proved that even in a place built for giants, they stand tall.