While she began her career as a child actor, Taylor Momsen has spent the past 14 years serving as the fearless frontwoman of rock group The Pretty Reckless. But perhaps no career milestone has been as much of a childhood dream come true for Momsen as their latest venture: AC/DC's Power Up Tour.
The Pretty Reckless are supporting the Australian rock gods during the European leg of the 24-show stadium tour, which kicked off in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 17 and wraps in Dublin on Aug. 17. As Momsen recalls, the opportunity came as the group was just beginning to work on their next album.
"We were in the studio…when I got a text from my agent that simply read 'AC/DC with the Pretty Reckless, all dates, no openers.' My mind was blown," she tells GRAMMY.com. "I love recording, probably more than anything in life, but when AC/DC calls…you answer, and you say YES. It's an honor and a privilege to be asked to share their stage."
Momsen makes sure to catch AC/DC's set every night, confirming that — even five decades into their career — they are "nothing short of a force of nature" on stage. And though the tour has resulted in rabies shots for Momsen (more on that later), the tour has been an experience she and her band will cherish forever.
"We're having the time of our lives with them," Momsen adds. "I never want this summer to end."
Below, Momsen shares stories of onstage and behind-the-scenes photos from The Pretty Reckless' summer tour with AC/DC — including the exact moment that she became "Batgirl."
Saying hello to a sold-out stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. AC/DC are in the DNA of our band, so to say we were excited is an understatement. (Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany; photo by Rob Fenn)
The best part about touring with AC/DC? Getting to watch them every night.Here I'm with with my beloved manager Chris Ruff with the titans of rock behind us. (Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany; photo by Steph Gomez)
So I guess now is a good time to talk about…the bat. I was just minding my own business singing (appropriately) "Witches Burn" [at our next show in Seville, Spain] when the audience all started pointing and screaming. It took til the end of the song to figure out what happened… (RCF Arena, Reggio Emilia, Italy; photo by Rob Fenn)
...but the jumbotrons caught it all. There it is, clinging to me. The noise must have scared the hell out of it. (Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain; photo courtesy of Taylor Momsen)
Then came the [rabies] shots…that was not fun for a loooong time. Ten shots over weeks in multiple countries. (Seville, Spain; photo courtesy of Taylor Momsen)
Then came the jokes. (All with love from the amazing AC/DC crew, love you Super!!) (Vienna, Austria; photo by Steph Gomez)
Then came the nickname Batgirl. Can't escape it, so just own it! (Vienna, Austria; photo by Steph Gomez)
When almost every show is over 100,000 people, you start to really see the scope of the impact rock and roll can have. It's a sea of people all there for the same reason: to ROCK. (Dresden, Germany; photo by Rob Fenn)
Packing for three months in Europe can be daunting…and bus parking lots are never the easiest place to organize. (Dresden, Germany; photo by Steph Gomez)
A rainy night in Dresden on one of the most beautiful streets I've ever seen. (Dresden, Germany; photo by Taylor Momsen)
Getting stage ready… (Wembley Stadium, London, England; photo by Rob Fenn)
Hello Wembley! (Wembley Stadium, London, England; photo by Rob Fenn)
Getting to hang with these amazing people makes everything worth it. I can't thank them enough, but to show my love for AC/DC I had to do something. (Wembley Stadium, London, England; photo courtesy of Taylor Momsen)
So we made them a life sized cake of Angus's infamous Back in Black guitar. (Wembley Stadium, London, England; photo courtesy of Taylor Momsen)
Jamie's drum rack is like an anchor for me on stage, it's how I find my center. (Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany; photo by Rob Fenn)
When you show up to a country you've never been to and there's back to back murals of yourself and Angus, you feel humbled for sure, it's been an amazing ride so far beyond our wildest dreams. (Bratislava, Slovakia; photo courtesy of Taylor Momsen)
In the end, it's all about the music, the passion, the love, the power. It's an honor to be able to do this, and to share it with so many people, and to have icons whose posters you had on your wall as a kid and t-shirts you wear til there's holes in them invite you to join them on an amazing journey. Thank you to AC/DC and crew, and everyone involved in such a massive undertaking to bring music to the masses. My love to you all. (London, England; photo by Rob Fenn)