A seemingly routine stop on the 2024 European leg of the Power Up tour became unforgettable for Taylor Momsen — lead singer of The Pretty Reckless — when she was bitten by a bat in the middle of a set while opening for rock icons AC/DC. What could have been a frightening moment quickly became the stuff of backstage legend, complete with nicknames, bat-themed pranks and a celebratory party.
During an outdoor show in Seville, Spain, a small bat flew out of the sky and landed on Momsen’s leg as she performed with her band. Initially unaware of the creature’s presence, she didn’t realize what had happened until the crowd began pointing — and then the animal bit her. She later needed a course of rabies shots — a standard precaution after such incidents — but the bizarre encounter quickly shifted from medical concern to ongoing humor among the touring musicians.
Rather than let the episode fade, AC/DC embraced the moment. Band members affectionately nicknamed Momsen “Batgirl,” a moniker that stuck throughout the tour. Each day, when she returned to her dressing room, there would be a small rubber bat ducky waiting for her — a running gag that lightened the mood between performances. At subsequent shows, AC/DC even decorated The Pretty Reckless’s stage gear with “No bat” signs as part of the joke.
The camaraderie peaked on Momsen’s birthday when AC/DC threw her a bat-themed celebration. The party featured a homemade bat-shaped cake and even a bat horns tiara, transforming a once shocking moment into good-natured fun. “When AC/DC give you a nickname, you stick with that!” Momsen said, capturing the spirit of the tour’s playful dynamic.
The bat incident didn’t strain the professional relationship between Momsen’s band and AC/DC. On the contrary, The Pretty Reckless continued to serve as the support act across multiple legs. After the 2024 European shows concluded, the two acts shared stages across Europe again in 2025, and they’re slated to team up once more for a Power Up tour spanning North, South and Central America beginning in Brazil in early 2026.
What began as an unexpected wildlife encounter evolved into a shared joke and a symbol of on-the-road friendship. AC/DC — known for their own rock lore and larger-than-life stage presence — turned the moment into something positive and memorable, setting the tone for continued collaboration between the bands.
