Taylor Momsen, the formidable frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, has once again found herself on the receiving end of an unwelcome encounter during her opening stint for Australian rock titans AC/DC. In a recent social media post, Momsen revealed she was bitten by a venomous spider in Mexico, necessitating medical treatment just hours before a performance. This incident, while seemingly dramatic, has become a recurring theme for the singer on tours with the legendary rock band, leading her to humorously remark, "Wouldn’t be an AC/DC tour if I didn’t get bit."
A Recurring Pattern of Unforeseen Encounters
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, April 8, when Momsen shared a video detailing the spider bite on her lower right leg. The footage, captured backstage in what appeared to be a green room, showed a doctor attending to the wound while another medical professional administered an injection. With a characteristic blend of stoicism and wry humor, Momsen quipped, "When do my superpowers kick in? That’s what I want to know." The video concluded with a playful nod to the "Spider-Man" theme song, underscoring the surreal nature of her recurring backstage dramas.
Momsen’s caption accompanying the video elaborated on the severity of the bite. "So it wouldn’t be an AC/DC tour if I didn’t get bit," she wrote, adding, "This time a massive spider decided to take a chunk out of me and its venom did a number on my system so had to have the wonderful doctors in Mexico come and deliver quite the shot before the show last night…add it to the list!" This statement immediately contextualized the event within a larger narrative of unexpected hazards faced by the singer while supporting AC/DC.
A Biological Buffet: From Bats to Spiders
This is not the first time Momsen’s tours with AC/DC have been punctuated by animal encounters. In 2024, during a tour stop in Spain, the singer was famously bitten by a bat. The bizarre incident unfolded during a performance of her band’s song "Witches Burn," a track from their 2021 album Death By Rock and Roll. A bat, seemingly attracted to the stage, landed on Momsen’s thigh. Initially unaware of its presence, she only noticed the creature after fans began pointing. Her reaction at the time was captured on video: "There’s a f***ing flying bat on my leg right now… I must really be a witch!"
A stagehand eventually removed the bat, but not before it had inflicted a bite. This led to Momsen seeking treatment at a Spanish hospital, where she underwent a course of medical care, including a series of rabies shots. The hospital staff, amused by the unusual event, reportedly nicknamed her "#batgirl." Momsen later shared her experience, reflecting on the unique nature of her tour ordeats and humorously acknowledging the incident as "one for the books!!!!"
The "Pretty Reckless" Approach to Adversity
Momsen’s reaction to both the bat and spider incidents highlights a consistent attitude of resilience and good-natured acceptance of the unpredictable. Her ability to maintain composure and even find humor in such stressful situations speaks volumes about her personality and her dedication to her craft. She has even embraced the emerging persona of a quasi-superhero, quipping, "Spider woman? Batgirl? WTF." This playful self-branding underscores her ability to turn potentially negative experiences into memorable moments, further cementing her unique presence on the rock scene.
The Pretty Reckless, known for their gritty rock anthems and Momsen’s powerful vocals, have been a consistent presence in the music industry since their formation in 2009. The band’s journey has been marked by steady growth and critical acclaim, with their album Death By Rock and Roll reaching number 28 on the Billboard 200 chart. Their association with AC/DC, one of the most iconic and enduring bands in rock history, has provided a significant platform for Momsen and her band, exposing them to a massive global audience.
AC/DC’s Enduring Legacy and Support for Emerging Artists
AC/DC, with their no-nonsense, hard-hitting sound, have maintained a legendary status for decades. Their tours are monumental events, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide. The band’s decision to bring The Pretty Reckless along as an opening act is a testament to their support for newer talent and their appreciation for bands that share a similar commitment to raw, unadulterated rock and roll. This tradition of supporting emerging artists has been a subtle but important aspect of AC/DC’s legacy, allowing them to introduce their vast fanbase to new sounds and perspectives.
The current tour with AC/DC has seen Momsen and her band perform in various international locations, including Mexico. Following the spider bite incident, Momsen is scheduled to perform with AC/DC at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City on Saturday, April 11, and again on April 15. After a brief hiatus, the tour will resume with a European leg, kicking off on June 5 at the Rock Im Park festival in Nuremberg, Germany. The North American summer stadium run is slated to begin on July 11 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with The Pretty Reckless continuing to share the stage with AC/DC for select dates, interspersed with their own club shows.
The Broader Implications: Resilience in the Face of the Unexpected
Momsen’s experiences on tour with AC/DC serve as a potent reminder of the inherent unpredictability of life, even for seasoned performers. While the circumstances of her encounters – a venomous spider and a bat – are unusual, the underlying theme of facing and overcoming unexpected challenges is universal. Her unflappable demeanor and humorous outlook offer a valuable lesson in resilience, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, a positive attitude and a strong sense of self can transform potentially negative situations into powerful personal narratives.
The ongoing association between The Pretty Reckless and AC/DC continues to be a significant chapter in both bands’ careers. For Momsen, these tours have become a proving ground, not just for her musical prowess but also for her remarkable ability to navigate the unexpected, armed with a microphone, a defiant spirit, and a growing collection of bizarre tour stories. As the tour progresses through North America and Europe, fans will undoubtedly be watching, not just for the electrifying performances, but also for any further "critter cameos" that might add to Taylor Momsen’s legendary AC/DC tour lore. Her ability to consistently deliver high-energy performances, despite these extraordinary backstage dramas, underscores her dedication to her fans and her unwavering commitment to the spirit of rock and roll. The spider bite, much like the bat encounter before it, is not merely an anecdote; it is a testament to the performer’s grit and her remarkable capacity to find humor and strength amidst the chaos of the road.
