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