AC/DC Live in Paris, France (Hyppodrome de Longchamps) 13 August 2024

 

AC/DC Live in Paris, France (Hyppodrome de Longchamps) 13 August 2024 

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
High Voltage
Riff Raff
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) 

 

After nine long years, the French audience finally got their dose of AC/DC again in Paris! It wasn’t the iconic Stade de France, but a new venue for us—the Longchamps Hippodrome, probably the only option available for a massive crowd in Paris during a summer packed with Olympic madness.

Getting to the venue? A real adventure. A lot of walking through the woods (yes, next to the infamous Bois de Boulogne), and by the time we reached the Fosse Or, it was already packed. The die-hard French fans had been there since morning, proving once again that they are among the hardest core of this tour. It was the usual BERCY/SDF crowd, now seasoned veterans, mixed with open-air festival warriors like those from Hellfest—most of them in their 50s and above. Sure, there were several generations represented, as in other countries, but the average age here felt a bit higher... Let’s not forget, AC/DC has been rocking France since the '70s, and the French audience knows how to party! Paris is always Paris—unique in its magic and energy! It wasn’t a 100k audience as some had speculated, but in our opinion, it was no less than 80k...

We found our spot on the left, pretty far from the stage, in the good company of our French friends from previous tours—Mathieu Marseille, Indy, Thibault FC, and tmany more Always great to reconnect with those who share unforgettable AC/DC memories since 2008!

The show kicked off at 8:15 sharp. The fading light of dusk made the atmosphere even more magical as the opening video played on the screens.

IF YOU WANT BLOOD! The band exploded onstage with their usual energy and power! Despite the scorching weather reminiscent of Seville, they delivered another killer performance. Everything went as expected until the big surprise—HELL AIN’T A BAD PLACE TO BE made its way back into the setlist! The band played it with intensity, a special treat for the Paris crowd!

Brian's voice was excellent again. Angus, very focused and precise as usual. MAYBE, occasionally, they looked a bit tired comparing to other shows a month agi, but who wouldn’t be after so many shows and in this kind of heat? Still, they were on point! Maybe the LTBR solos were a bit shorter than usual, and Brian had some minor issues with his ear monitors during Rosie. But overall, it was another fantastic show!

Now, about the crowd—honestly, we weren’t sure what to expect. The behavior of rock crowds has changed a lot since the last tour in 2015-2016. In Paris, we noticed that the Fosse Or, at least on the left side, wasn’t as responsive during the usual hits like Back in Black, Thunderstruck, Shoot to Thrill, Riff Raff or Rosie., Sure, the crowd was very loud, but the energy didn’t match the levels of Bercy 2009 or SDF 2010. Times change... Still, it was cool to see some crowd-surfing attempts (even if not successful) and people jumping on each other's shoulders... Considering the widespread “smartphone zombification” at concerts these days, the crowd still gets a thumbs up from us.

As for the venue... It’s a thumbs down. We didn’t expect much, but it still fell short of our expectations. Similar to other large venues of this tour but not as organized...Getting in and out was a real hassle... Maybe not like Bratislava but way less efficient than Stadiums or even Reggio Emilia

But in the end, it was another night of rock that will go down in the history of Rock'n'Roll. A night to be remembered for a long time, with good friends, great music, and the unstoppable power of AC/DC.

And now, off to Dublin for the last dance...

 

 

 

WHOLE LOTTA FRANCE - HIGHWAY TO PARIS 2024

Ready for AC/DC Back in Paris 2024! Is it going to be the last show ever played in Paris? Only time will tell! For now we know it will be a historic show for AC/DC's history which can't be missed. 

For the occasion we are posting our article published (in French) by Rolling Stone France (n.164). Let there be rock!

It was the night of September 20, 2016. We were coming out of the Wells Fargo Center, feeling a storm of mixed emotions. Estatic for hearing rare gems like "Live Wire," and "Problem Child" (played for the first time since 2001). But also feeling harsh bitterness: Angus had officially said goodbye onstage to Cliff Williams, who was retiring. Chris Slade and Stevie Young had replaced Phil and Malcolm for the whole Rock or Bust tour. And the lead singer next to Angus was no longer Brian Johnson—it was Axl Rose! For hard core fans like us it felt like we were in a parallel universe. But when we spoke to Angus that night, we still thanked him from the deepest of our hearts for continuing despite the challenges of the last few years.

Then came a long hibernation, as usually happens after an AC/DC tour. But with Cliff retired, Brian with his hearing loss, and Phil Rudd with unspecified problems, the idea of another AC/DC tour seemed close to impossible. But then the impossible became possible again. Brian came back with his hearing thanks to technology. "Power Up" was released, and rumors of stadium bookings started circulating. But then COVID happened, threatening to be the last nail in the coffin for AC/DC as a live band.

But once again, the pessimists were proved wrong. AC/DC was officially announced to be part of the POWERTRIP Festival in Indio, California, in October 2023—seven years after Philadelphia!

The show felt like a dream that literally brought tears to our eyes on more than one occasion. The opener was "If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)," last played with Brian in Hammersmith 2003, twenty years ago. The setlist was packed with the classics like “Back in Black” and “Thunderstruck,” alongside new tracks like “Demon Fire” and “Shot in the Dark” from their latest album, and surprises such as “Stiff Upper Lip.” Cliff was back, Brian was back, and a new drummer was there. And then, there was Angus, visibly older than the last tour, in a shiny blue velvet suit and proudly white hair for the first time. The music was good and loud, and the singer turned and said to the crowd: LET THERE BE ROCK! We were hearing this again live after seven years. AC/DC had come back with 24 live songs—the longest setlist we could remember after 93 AC/DC shows we saw! Some said the concert was full of imperfections, but true rock ’n’ roll fans didn’t care—the most important thing was that AC/DC was back!

The big question after PowerTrip was: Is there going to be a world tour? We had briefly met Brian before PowerTrip, and he confirmed that they really wanted to tour and had already tentatively booked some dates with promoters in Europe, including Italy, which was supposed to be the first show of this new tour. But they didn’t know how the audience would react after so many years and if they were still cutting the mustard on stage after such a long break and at an older age. The decision would be taken after PowerTrip.

And then for months, we waited for the news, which finally came: European tour! We immediately got back in touch with our pals, booking hotels, tickets, and flights. It was really happening.

Gelsenkirchen: 17-21 May

AC/DC chose Germany for the opening dates, not too far from Angus’ home. The stage setup was impressive, with complex lighting creating a unique visual spectacle. Angus' guitar touch and movements were more secure and precise than in Indio. Brian’s voice sounded much better than at PowerTrip. Despite minor technical issues, the band’s performance was outstanding, especially on the second night. The Rock 'n' Roll train had started and was slowly getting up to full speed.

Reggio Emilia: 25 May

Reggio Emilia was next, and it was a night to remember. The concert drew the biggest crowd of the tour so far, with over 100,000 fans packing the open-air RCF Arena. Angus’s physical shape at 69 was visibly improving, jumping and duck-walking again—things that would be challenging for any average 40-year-old. You could tell he spends a lot of time in the gym and spas. Brian’s voice was getting stronger and more solid, and he seemed rejuvenated, especially performing in front of his mother’s country. Surprisingly, the setlist was shortened from 24 to 21 songs, but it still gave fans over two hours of pure rock 'n' roll.

Seville: 29 May and 1 June

And then Seville, where the hot weather and vibrant atmosphere set the stage for another incredible pair of shows. The crowd’s reaction to “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” was explosive and continued to rock for over two hours. The connection between the energy of AC/DC’s live music and the energy of the crowd reached its pinnacle in Spain. The tour will continue and we will also arrive in Paris, definetely one concert not to miss! As for USA, South America and Australia we were told we will have to wait a few more weeks for a decision, based on how Brian and Angus feel during the European tour.

In any case, AC/DC has reminded us why they are legends. They have faced doubts, health issues, deaths, and the passage of time, but their spirit clearly remains unbroken. The Power Up tour is not just about music; it’s about resilience, passion, and the unyielding love for rock 'n' roll. And as long as AC/DC is there: THERE WILL BE ROCK!

Matteo Abruzzo

AC/DC Live in Bratislava, Slovakia (Vajnory Airport) 21 July 2024

 

AC/DC Live in Bratislava, Slovakia (Vajnory Airport) 21 July 2024

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Shot Down in Flames
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
High Voltage
Riff Raff
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

We decided to add Bratislava to our list of concerts last minute. Initially, we were hesitant due to concerns about the large venue and Slovakia's inexperience with hosting major live concerts. For those who remember the chaos of Imola 2015, we feared another logistical nightmare… But our goal is to get to as many AC/DC shows as possible so we stuck to this principle and booked flights, cars, tickets etc.

We drove from Vienna to Bratislava. The day was scorching hot, so we waited until 7 PM to enter the gold pitch. We salute the dedicated fans who braved the sun since noon to secure their spots at the front. It was probably the hottest show of the tour after Seville... Maybe even more...

We weren’t picky about our position this time and chose to stand a bit further back, not too far from the mixer, to fully appreciate the lights and sound. And what a spectacle it was! From Demon Fire to Shoot to Thrill to Dirty Deeds, the new light show by Cosmo and crew was a feast for the eyes. The sound quality was phenomenal, loud and clear, with the videos on screen enhancing the experience, which we had never the chance to fully appreciate. We decided not to wear ear protection to fully immerse ourselves in the audio bliss.

The band's performance was TOP, in line with the last two months on the road. We are sure they left an indelible memory for the 80,000-120,000 people attending AC/DC's first-ever show in Slovakia (still not clear what the actual count was but it was huge!)  In terms of performance, we personally preferred the London shows  but it was still an exceptional performance. Angus was basically flawless in his parts, from Thunderstruck (slower but very "clean") to Let There Be Rock. Long Let there be Rock Solo, Brian screaming his lungs out and no noticeable mistakes and hesitations. And a lot of interactions between the two as well. If they are taking some supplements besides cornflakes, we would really love to know what! :)

We didn’t have high expectations for the Slovakian crowd in terms of energy but we also got surprised at times. They certainly had a good time with a lot of drinking involved but they were generally calm and seemed to enjoy the show in a more "German" way.

TNT and FTATR were phenomenal although we decided to move out a little bit earlier to avoid the heavy traffic... But the nightmares of Imola 2015 reappeared again.... But again it was worth it!

Our belief that when AC/DC is playing live anywhere in the world, there's no better place for a fan to be than in front of that stage, was reaffirmed tonight

Rock on!

 

Ready for the show!

 

 

 

 

After party in the parking lot under the moon

 

AC/DC Live in Stuttgart, Germany (Cannstatter Wasen) 17 July 2024

 

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Shot Down in Flames
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
High Voltage
Riff Raff
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) 

 

From the Orangus' travel diary...

"This was the best show of the tour..."

AC/DC Live in Hockenheim, Germany (Hockenheimring) 13 July 2024

 

Orangus - getting close to his 150th AC/DC show

AC/DC Live in Hockenheim, Germany (Hockenheimring), 13 July 2024 

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Shot Down in Flames
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
High Voltage
Riff Raff
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

 

We first encountered Orangus on 21 October 2003, just before the legendary Hammersmith show in London, where he arranged one ticket for us. Since then, we've maintained close contact throughout the Black Ice and Rock or Bust tours. Like a migratory species, Orangus treats attending AC/DC live shows as his natural habitat. Whenever there’s an AC/DC tour, you can sight this devoted creature in his natural environment, near the barrier or somewhere in the golden pitch area, usually jumping compulsively to the AC/DC drums and guitar, much like a hyperactive kangaroo in a rhythmic frenzy...

 

From the Orangus' travel diary...

As usual, Hockenheim had the worst acoustics of the tour, and I don't know why but every tour it's like that.... After a few songs, I, along with two other guys near me, left the front row in front of the catwalk and moved to the back of the golden pitch area. The sound improved significantly, but it still wasn’t good enough...

I have been enjoying this tour immensely, like a hedgehog when its mate shaves (zoologists say this is a very rare event). After this tour, I honestly expected to declare that The Hu was now my favourite live band, but, with all due respect to my Mongolian friends, as long as AC/DC is around, no one else can compare.I even doubt this might be their last tour... We all assumed it, but they’ve never hinted at retirement. Apparently, they don’t need to.

Brian Johnson has never been considered an absolute phenomenon, but he has certainly become one considering his voice and how he has been performing during this tour despite his age. When AC/DC takes breaks, he could even consider stepping in as Axl’s substitute in Guns N’ Roses!

Angus has often been compared to Paganini; if that violinist sold his soul to the devil, I can't imagine what was the deal with this guitarist... 

All AC/DC's music has been associated with the devil, yet it compels an atheist like me to look up to the sky and thank some unknown entity for gifting us with this band.

Jumping Jack Orangus 

The tallest catwalk of the tour in Hockenheim

 

 

Will There Be Another Tour Leg?

Memento - Thanks to Dikie Jones for the reminder

 

Will There Be Another Tour Leg?

This is the burning question every hardcore AC/DC fan is asking now, after Wembley. Especially for us die-hards, who chase as many shows as possible, the anticipation is inevitable.

First off, let's be clear: we don’t have the answer and haven’t spoken to anyone who does, in the band, near the band or far from the band. Right now, it's all speculation and hypothesis. Maybe even the band is unsure about the future. 

However, their triumphant success at Wembley undoubtedly sent a strong message: AC/DC should continue after Dublin!

Before diving into our own wild speculations, let's take a moment to reflect on how blessed we've been with this tour. We didn’t see it coming, and our gratitude goes out to everyone who made it happen. 

As for past tours, we're committed to attending as many shows as possible because AC/DC's true essence shines on stage. Some fans collect vinyl records or memorabilia; we collect LIVE SHOWS and MEMORIES.

 

SCENARIO 1: The Band Will Call It Quits in Dublin

As phenomenal as Brian and Angus have been on stage, age and health issues are inescapable. Brian, at 76, has endured significant health challenges with his hearing. He's always been clear that he dislikes never-ending tours, as he often mentioned to us during the Black Ice tour. Now, having reclaimed his crown as AC/DC's lead singer after Bon, Dublin might be the perfect, triumphant exit for him and for AC/DC.

SCENARIO 2: A Leg in Australia

This scenario involves 5-6 shows, or perhaps more, in Australia this fall or winter. It would be a fitting end for AC/DC to finish where they started: back home. This tour is clearly more than a money-making venture, and ending in Australia would be profoundly meaningful. However, AC/DC has a history of unpredictability. For instance, they skipped a symbolic and meaningful city as Glasgow on the current European tour and announced a tour with just three months' notice. Too many variables make it impossible to rely on past patterns or common sense.

SCENARIO 3: Touring the US After Europe

They might tour the US this fall (September/October), announcing dates in the coming days, uplifted by their European success. Another 10-15 dates in the US would be logical, as it's still a major market with significant demand for AC/DC. The tour machine is already in place, so why stop? However, organizing such a tour on short notice is challenging unless everything has been tentatively booked and kept under wraps with impeccable NDAs. We should know any day if this is the case...

SCENARIO 4: Large Venues in the US and South America

In a few days, we might hear about dates for large venues in the US and South America for the end of 2024. Rumors about South America have been around since 2023. They skipped it during the Rock or Bust tour, and while this region might not be as lucrative as Europe or North America, it's still a possibility. Very large venues to maximize impact and reduce strain on band members, like the Stones have done in the past. AC/DC might have a few surprises up their sleeves. Or maybe not… Who knows...

SCENARIO 5: The Impossible Scenarios - Residency Shows and New frontiers

AC/DC could be setting up residency shows in one or more major cities, reducing the travel demands and allowing fans to flock to them. Imagine multiple nights in a place like Sin City / Las Vegas. It’s a concept never done before by AC/DC, but there’s always a first time for everything.

And what if they decided to break all barriers and conquer new, uncharted territories playing in places they've never been before, like Asia or the Middle East? Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, these locations are becoming more popular for major concerts. This wouldn't just be about the big bucks; it would be about proving that AC/DC's rock 'n' roll can conquer any market. 

Hail Ceasar!

SCENARIO 6: Multiple Scenarios Combined

Imagine this: two or three of the scenarios above coming true, plus another European leg in 2025. This is not just a dream; it’s what we all hope! Angus, the unstoppable force of nature, shows no signs of wanting to stop. His spark on stage is undeniable, manifesting the undying fire of rock 'n' roll. For Angus, this is more than a job; it's his life’s blood, a fire that's difficult to tame.

Brian's situation is more complex, given his hearing issues and age. But let's not forget, in 2016, he was "out of the band" because of his hearing loss, and now we're witnessing a miracle with this tour with what he is doing every single night with his amazing voice and presence. The miracles can continue.

 

Conclusion

Remember: this post is an exercise in dreaming and speculating because we can never get enough of AC/DC live on stage. We hope that after Dublin, AC/DC will continue to rock for fans old and new around the world.But ultimately, we've learned to be grateful and live in the moment, savoring each concert as if it were the last one. We are happy.

Let there be Rock.

Amen.

Nine Lives

 

AC/DC Live at Wembley Stadium, London, UK 7 July 2024

 

Rosie never stops!

AC/DC Live at Wembley Stadium, London UK, 7 July 2024 

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Shot Down in Flames
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
High Voltage
Riff Raff
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

We spent the days between the two London shows immersing ourselves in the AC/DC community at the dive bar in Camden Town and in local pubs. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with friends from past tours who had traveled from all over the world to attend these historic concerts. Much like our experience in Vienna, we had the privilege of meeting some people very close to the band members' families... These brief but meaningful encounters transported us back to the band's early days, with stories of relentless hard work, simplicity, and a burning determination by Angus and co to achieve their dreams. London has always been a pivotal city for AC/DC, second only to Australia in significance to the band's history and we were grateful to be there again after 9 years for other twi AC/DC live shows.

We also enjoyed leisurely strolls through London parks with the new AC/DC Abruzzo mascot, "Rosie," taking in the classic “beautiful” English weather.

As the second show at Wembley approached, we prepared for another memorable night of rock 'n' roll. The Sunday show started about 30 minutes earlier, and the organization was top-notch, with the smoothest and most professional flow of fans into the stadium that we’ve ever seen. Wembley Stadium, and imposing fortress from the outside, transforms into an intimate venue despite its 90,000-person capacity. For the second night, we decided to switch and stand on Stevie’s side. We noticed an increased number of cameras compared to the previous night. This suggested that they were also recording the second London show, and fans in the Gold Pitch were being interviewed, possibly for behind-the-scenes footage. We were happy to be part of this memorable event, which might be featured in a future video release. And even if not released on video, at least we knew the band would be performing at 200% again for the occasion!

And so it was! Angus was as focused and intense as the previous concert, at times even more, leading with his usual charisma and energy. Brian’s performance was even stronger than the first night, energetic and electrifying with powerful screaming and rock'n'roll signature movements and expressions. Brian was the king of the night despite some minor hiccups at the end during "For Those About to Rock. Despite the age and despite what other bands do, AC/DC remains a live band and these imperfections are normal and even appreciated and enjoyed by fans. "High Voltage" was a particular highlight, with Brian adding variations to the lyrics and showcasing the power of his voice. "Shoot to Thrill," "Riff Raff," "Highway to Hell," and "Whole Lotta Rosie" were all phenomenal. "Let There Be Rock" was excellent, although the solos seemed a bit shorter than usual. In FTATR there were some minor issues with the cannons... Great job again from the rhytmic section.

However, the acoustics in the Stadium were worse than the first night. This could have been due to our position, the stadium's acoustics, or the amplification setup /mixing process. We experienced some distortion at times, which is not uncommon in large stadiums, especially with the high sound levels that AC/DC requires, being one of the loudest live bands ever. Anyway, you can't expect the same sound quality in smaller venues like Zurich and Gelsenkirchen.

The Wembley crowd was fantastic! Super loud and energetic! We had a blast jumping and singing along with the fans around us. Everyone was there for a good time and a rock 'n' roll party. In the end, AC/DC's music has always been about making people happy, and this night was no exception. 

Since the Stiff Upper Lip tour concerts in Birmingham and Milton Keynes in 2000 and 2001, and the unforgettable "one night only" gig at Hammersmith in 2003, we've consistently enjoyed great times with English/British fans. Although sometimes the alcohol was leading to excessive behavior, such as beer throwing, compulsive crowd surfing and and shoes also flying up in the air with all types of objects during shows, we always had a good time overall... That's also Rock'n'Roll... Security did a commendable job, ensuring everyone had a great time. We noticed fewer phones up and more people just living in the moment. It was heartening to see several generations around us, from seasoned fans with over 100 shows under their belts to those experiencing AC/DC live for the first time.

History was made again in London. As we bid farewell to England, we ponder whether this was the last show here... only time will tell. 

Now, it's back to Germany for more open-air field shows!

JONNA IS BACK!

Hard core fans from 4 different continents in London

AC/DC Live at Wembley Stadium, London, UK 3 July 2024

 

AC/DC Live at Wembley Stadium, 3 July 2024 

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Shot Down in Flames
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
High Voltage
Riff Raff
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

And it was the day of the great comeback of the greatest rock band in the world at the legendary Wembley Stadium, a venue that has hosted some of the greatest legends of rock and music. The biggest stadium and the biggest stadium crowd of the tour, in London, were ready to rock! We got confirmation that the band was recording the show on video when we saw the extra cameras on stage, near the catwalk, and in other sections of the stadium. Clearly, it was an expensive production and for sure the end result will be amazing.

We got back to our usual spot on the right in the Gold Pitch. Got a new pair of Devils' horns with the cheap stickers replaced by a nice engraved logo and the new tour book. Plus a Wembley T-shirt (though not the tshirt with all the London concerts listed as there were many mistakes in it, including forgetting to list one of the shows we attended in 2010!). Happy to see old friends in the pitch, from Johnny to Hugo. It was also nice to see another young generation of fans in their 20s and 30s, experiencing AC/DC live for the first time!

The stadium filled up around 8 PM for a solid sold-out show, with hardly any empty seats visible. At approximately 8:13 PM, the band was on stage, and it was time to start with "If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)." Angus and Brian took the stage with unprecedented energy, probably aware that this concert would become an official video release. Especially Angus, who seemed to be on another level of energy from previous shows. The guitar touch and the moves on stage were impeccable! More duckwalks than usual and even more attention to details, pleasing the cameras capturing this historic comeback of AC/DC in England. Angus was very stylish in his light blue velvet suit with a burgundy red hat.

The audience was very good and more responsive than expected after the post pandemic smartphone collective zombification. Of course, it wasn't quite the Live at River Plate crowd that jumps and chants for two hours straight, but we were pleasantly impressed by the English crowd's willingness to have a good time together. Very, very few smartphones in the pitch, as opposed to other European venues in this tour. A lot of jumping and chanting, and even a little bit of pogo in certain pitch areas (not in ours, but we could see it on the screens and on online videos). 

The performance of the band was fantastic! The only "issue" was Angus who was really on another level of intensity comparing to the other members! Brian's voice was great as well, maybe not as good as in Zurich and Vienna but still exceptionally good. Songs like "Thunderstruck" and "Shoot to Thrill" were rendered even better than usual, at least to our perception. "High Voltage" had a new, never-before-seen variation from Brian, which we loved. "Highway to Hell" with the flames and thousands of devil horns flashing in the stadium was just epic.

Angus was paying attention to moves and positions, like he knew what to do in front of the cameras to make sure this show could be engraved forever in the history of rock 'n' roll. Matt and Chris also played with higher intensity, especially Matt during "Riff Raff," "Let There Be Rock," and "T.N.T." Again, we got the same impression at PowerTrip of seeing a lookalike of Phil Rudd from the '70s, even with his mouth movements. Only the cigarette was missing. Stevie, very accurate and precise, also contributed to the success of the night.

"Let There Be Rock" was just the final apotheosis for the Gods of Rock 'n' Roll with extremely long and intense solos. The "flying" camera must have captured some great shots while Angus was on the lift as we saw it going up and down. And the solo in the back just proved to everyone that even if that AC/DC music will never get old!

The new Wembley Stadium is definetely a great venue, which is ideal for big rock concerts. Within 45 minutes from the end the venue was almost completely empty. Acoustics, on the other end, left something to be desired, especially in our section. We personally prefer small venues but AC/DC are now too big!

And night one is in the books. It was great to see so many old friends after the gig. Blue, red, and white confetti as the UK flag colors. Unfortunately, we missed Rock 'n' Roll Nonno Alan who was in the audience but we could not meet. But from the Black Ice tour we got Arnaud, Thibault, Spurky, Sven, Spectakulla and the rest of the German mafia. Also we bumped into Breno, with whom we bump into casually since Hammersmith 2003, including Rock'n'Roll Train Video Shoot, all the London gigs and even Venice beach in LA before PowerTrip.

Hopefully for the next show on Sunday! But still, it was a great night to remember for us and for future generations!

 

 

Photo by BrianJohnsonRacing