The Pretty Reckless performing during the Dear God World Tour at the ACL Live Moody Theater in Austin, Texas on July 23, 2026, with Taylor Momsen, Ben Phillips, Mark Damon, and Jamie Perkins. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
The Pretty Reckless returned to ACL Live at The Moody Theater with the confidence of a band that has spent more than a decade earning its place among modern rock's most respected names. The stop in Austin was part of the Dear God Tour, bringing together songs from the band's newest album alongside the material that first established them as a force on rock radio. The evening felt less like a celebration of the past and more like another chapter in a career that continues to grow without losing sight of its roots. The set moved through favorites including Death by Rock and Roll, Follow Me Down, Make Me Wanna Die, Heaven Knows, and new songs from Dear God, giving the audience a look at every era of the band's evolution.
There is a noticeable honesty to a The Pretty Reckless concert. The production serves the music rather than the other way around. The guitars stay front and center, the rhythm section drives every song with purpose, and Taylor Momsen never feels like someone playing the role of a rock star. She has become one through years of touring, recording, and allowing the songs to speak for themselves. Inside the intimate setting of ACL Live, that approach felt especially effective. A venue known for its exceptional acoustics rewarded every dynamic shift, from quieter moments to the band's heaviest choruses.
Few bands have experienced a career quite like The Pretty Reckless. Formed in New York City, the group grew from a creative partnership between vocalist Taylor Momsen and guitarist Ben Phillips. Rather than chasing whatever style happened to dominate rock radio, the pair built songs around strong melodies, blues influenced guitar work, and lyrics that rarely hid behind metaphor. Bassist Mark Damon and drummer Jamie Perkins completed the lineup, and together the quartet developed into one of the most dependable live acts in modern rock.
Many listeners first discovered the band through Light Me Up. Released at a time when mainstream rock was searching for its next generation, the album immediately introduced a sound that balanced aggressive guitars with memorable hooks. Songs such as Make Me Wanna Die, Miss Nothing, and Just Tonight helped establish the band's identity, but they also hinted that this was only the beginning. Even on those earliest recordings, there was a confidence that suggested the group had much bigger ambitions.
That promise became reality with Going to Hell. The record transformed The Pretty Reckless from an emerging act into one of rock's biggest success stories. Singles including Heaven Knows, Messed Up World, and Follow Me Down dominated rock radio, giving the band an impressive run of number one songs while introducing them to a much larger audience. The album blended classic hard rock influences with modern production, creating songs that felt equally at home on festival stages and late night drives with the volume turned all the way up.
Rather than repeating that formula, the band continued to evolve. Who You Selling For explored blues, soul, and classic rock influences while showing a greater willingness to slow the pace when a song called for it. Instead of relying solely on loud guitars, the record demonstrated maturity in both songwriting and arrangement. It remains one of the most varied releases in the band's catalog.
Their next album, Death by Rock and Roll, arrived after a difficult period marked by personal loss. The songs carried a greater emotional weight, but they never drifted into self pity. The record celebrated resilience as much as grief, producing some of the strongest work of the band's career. It also reinforced the chemistry that had developed between the four members after years of performing together around the world.
That momentum continued with Dear God, the band's fifth studio album. Written primarily by Taylor Momsen and Ben Phillips, the album explores themes of mortality, redemption, and perseverance while staying rooted in the hard rock sound that defines the group. The material fits naturally alongside older songs rather than feeling like a dramatic stylistic shift, something that became clear throughout the performance in Austin. New songs sat comfortably beside longtime fan favorites, making the set feel balanced instead of divided between old and new material.
One of the band's greatest strengths has always been restraint. While many arena rock productions rely on elaborate visuals and oversized effects, The Pretty Reckless understands that memorable songs ultimately matter more than spectacle. That confidence allows the music to carry the evening without unnecessary distractions. It is a quality that has earned the group opportunities to headline its own tours while also sharing stages with legendary artists including AC/DC.
The current tour reflects a band that is comfortable looking both forward and backward. The setlist reaches into nearly every chapter of the catalog while making room for newer material, allowing longtime followers to revisit the songs that first brought them to the band while giving recent fans a chance to experience the newest chapter live. Rather than presenting a greatest hits show, the performance felt like a snapshot of a band still writing its story.
Opening performances by Paris Jackson and Doug. provided an eclectic beginning to the evening before The Pretty Reckless took the stage. Their contrasting musical styles made for an interesting pairing and highlighted the diversity of artists traveling on the current tour.
For a band now more than a decade into its career, The Pretty Reckless continues to avoid the comfort of simply repeating old successes. Every album has added another layer to the band's identity, and every tour has reinforced why audiences continue returning. The performance at ACL Live at The Moody Theater was another reminder that genuine songwriting, outstanding musicianship, and a willingness to keep evolving remain a powerful combination. In an era where many rock bands are content to revisit familiar territory, The Pretty Reckless continues to move forward, one song at a time.
Setlist for the show at the ACL Live Moody Theater
- Death by Rock and Roll
- Since You're Gone
- Follow Me Down
- Miss Nothing
- For I Am Death
- When I Wake Up
- Love Me
- Devil in Disguise (Michelle’s Song)
- Dear God
- Spell on You
- Make Me Wanna Die
- Heaven Knows
- Going to Hell
- Take Me Down
- About You
The Pretty Reckless was the main act at the ACL Live Moody Theater with guests Paris Jackson and Doug.. They continue across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia with the last stop at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, India on January 31, 2027.
The Pretty Reckless
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