It might only have been three short months since New York heavy rockers The Pretty Reckless played the intimate venue that is London’s Scala but Taylor Momsen & co return to UK shores to appease their fans with a much bigger show in support of latest album ‘Who You Selling For’.
As the anticipation in the venue grows there’s a huge roar from the crowd when the house lights eventually go down and the band take to the stage in the darkness. As Big Ben chimes ring out of the PA the band open in blistering form with ‘Follow Me Down’. Dressed all in black as is the norm, Taylor’s vocals are at their rasping, engaging best from the outset and the band are technically as good as ever.
New track ‘Hangman’ from the band’s latest offering has an almost hypnotic feel to it during the choruses. And during the next track ‘Make Me Wanna Die’ the bands army of fans almost out sing Taylor. After an explosive opening Taylor then addresses the crowd with an obligatory “London how the F**K are you guys doing tonight?” which brings a huge cheer.
Pulling her guitar over her shoulder Taylor and the band play through a near perfect rendition of ‘My Medicine’ with the crowd lending their voices too. However they go crazy when the band explodes in to the riff heavy opening of ‘Sweet Things’ and there’s a few sporadic mosh pits briefly when guitarist Ben Phillips lets loose with a great solo mid-way through. Taylor’s vocals then take centre stage again as she gives exceptional performances of ‘Light Me Up’ and ‘Just Tonight’.
The band throw in a couple of new tracks in the shape of title track ‘Who You Selling For’ and ‘Living In The Storm’ which to their credit the crowd seem to be well versed in considering these have only been played maybe once before in the UK. There’s no letting up though as the band power through the closing stages of their set, ‘Heaven Knows’ see’s the crowd clapping along in time to that infectious drum beat before there’s a brief break before a single song encore of ‘Fucked Up World’ which includes an explosive drum solo from Jamie Perkins. All in all it’s another great performance from a band that never fails to deliver a solid Rock n Roll show.
CHRISTOPHER LEE
