AC/DC Live at RCF Arena Campovolo, Reggio Emilia 25 May 2024

 

AC/DC Live at RCF Arena Campovolo, Reggio Emilia 25 May 2024

1.  You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
2. Back in Black
3. Demon Fire
4. Shot Down in Flames
5. Thunderstruck
6. Have a Drink on Me
7. Hells Bells
8. Shot in the Dark
9. Stiff Upper Lip
10. Shoot to Thrill
11. Sin City
12. Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
13. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
14. High Voltage
15. Riff Raff
16. You Shook Me All Night Long
17. Highway to Hell
18. Whole Lotta Rosie
19. Let There Be Rock
20. T.N.T.
21. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

We’re just back in Abruzzo after witnessing an unforgettable night in Reggio Emilia, which might just be the last AC/DC concert in Italy of their career. This was a historic moment for Italy and Rock'n'Roll, and we are immensely grateful to have been part of it.

The concert was the biggest crowd of the tour so far and the first open-air show in a massive venue. Despite the forecast of rains of the previous days, the thunders we heard around 5 PM faded, and the clouds cleared away, leaving us with perfect weather for the night. The RCF Arena was huge and everything was organized beyond our expectations. 100,000 people were expected, forming a biblical crowd, mainly Italians from all over the country, including many from Abruzzo—a region that loves rock 'n' roll and is close to where Brian’s family comes from.

All the typical elements of a huge rock 'n' roll show in Italy were there: excellent food, fun and nice people, lots of backpacks, tents and bottles of beer, all surrounded by beautiful architecture and nature. The RCF Arena exceeded our expectations with its beauty, efficiency and cleanliness. We got inside a bit later than expected due to logistics and catching up with friends from all over, including Mathieu from France and Orangus from Milan.

We positioned ourselves on Angus's side as usual and had high expectations for an energetic and powerful crowd. The way the crowd was divided into six different floor sections was new to us.  Despite this, the energy was palpable even before the show... 

The concert was umbelievably amazing again. The band continues to grow with each performance. Brian, in particular, was incredibly happy and energetic, possibly because he was performing in front of one of his favourite countries (considering his mother's origin). He seemed to enjoy the crowd and the Italian atmosphere immensely. Angus was on top of his game, delivering outstanding performances, especially during "Shoot to Thrill," "Dirty Deeds," "Highway to Hell" and the final three songs that brought the show to a powerful climax. Lots of small differences each show which of course we deeply enjoy... From duckwalking to solos, to interactions among band members... It really looks like the band is less tense and stressed and enjoying each concert more.

The audience was definitely the best of the tour so far but we have to be honest: it didn’t quite match the fervor and power of AC/DC’s previous appearances in Imola 2015, Udine 2010, and Milan 2009. The difference? The amount of chanting, jumping, and pogoing was less. Nowadays, it also seems many people are mainly focused on taking pictures and filming the concert on their smartphones, even in the Front of Stage area, which was previously reserved for hardcore fans enjoying the live experience with extra jumping and pogo. Times have changed, and so have the audiences. Looking at the concert on the screen of a smartphone seems to be the new normal for live shows, even for high-energy bands like AC/DC. Maybe soon holograms and metaverse concerts will become the new way to experience and enjoy 'live shows" and this is just the beginning... Who knows. We actually felt a bit nostalgic yesterday for the 90's and early 2000's. But again, the Italian crowd was great! 

The setlist was solid, though we were a bit sad that they dropped three songs from Gelsenkirchen: "Dog Eat Dog," "Given the Dog a Bone," and "Hell ain't a bad place to be." It was too good to be true to have 24 songs for the entire tour. Apparently the extra songs were on the printed setlist. Maybe the songs will come back at the next shows. Maybe not...

In any case, it was an amazing night. The performance, the crowd, and the overall experience were unforgettable. 

Next stop: Seville!

AC/DC Live at Veltins Arena - Gelsenkirchen 21 May 2024

Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen on May 21, 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
    You Shook Me All Night Long
    Rock 'N' Roll Train
    Shoot To Thrill
    Sin City
    Givin The Dog A Bone
    Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
    Dog Eat Dog
    High Voltage
    Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
    Riff Raff
    Highway To Hell
    Whole Lotta Rosie
    Let There Be Rock
    Encore:
    T.N.T.
    For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

It’s been three days since AC/DC’s mind-blowing performance at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, and we’re still buzzing from the experience. If you thought their first show was incredible that night was on a whole new level!

The setlist was the same, but the performance of Angus and Brian was simply amazing! The improvement was just mind blowing! Angus was moving at twice the speed, duckwalking and rocking out like crazy. His energy was off the charts. Brian, too, was jumping and moving like he did during the Black Ice Tour, singing with passion and emphasis. Unlike the previous concert, he didn’t seem to have many technical difficulties. He started fast and finished fast, with only minor hiccups during "Given the Dog a Bone" and "Sin City." But it was impressive to see how much they had improved from the first show. They seemed much more energetic, motivated, and confident about touring together after such a long time. The rhythmic section was also very solid and really doing a great job!

You could tell Angus has been spending a lot of time in the gym. What he does on stage for over two hours would be challenging for a 40-year-old, let alone someone in their late 60s. The amount of duckwalking almost doubled from the first show and this means Angus trainers are doing a great job. Angus seemed more relaxed and was enjoying the stage and his solos, interacting more with the energy of the crowd.

Unfortunately, as often happens in Germany, the crowd wasn’t very responsive. Some German hard core fans we have known since the SUL era defined them as "sleepy"... But that’s just the way it is in Germany... With about 100 shows under our belt we believe the dialogue between the energy on stage and the energy in the audience is essential for the success of a great rock 'n' roll show. We will get this in Southern Europe, in places like Italy, Spain, and France...

In any case, this is a very good sign that the band is growing and improving with each concert and will soon be in perfect shape. The lights were really amazing and possibly the most spectacular we’ve ever seen. The setlist is very solid, and each song is 100% appreciated by us. Honestly, we don’t have any complaints or suggestions as hardcore fans. It just seems too good to be true to have so many great songs and such a long setlist...

And now that the dress rehersals in Gelsenkirchen are done, we are ready for ITALY to welcome the Gods of Rock 'n' Roll! Reggio Emilia, we are coming! 😀

Heavy rains are forecast for tomorrow, but we are sure this will not stop Angus and the band from delivering a blazing rock 'n' roll show! Like they did in Adelaide 2010 or Munich 2015, we are sure they will ignite the stage with the fire of rock 'n' roll and the flames of "Highway to Hell." And 100,000 crazy Italian fans will be there to witness this milestone of Rock n Roll history!

More photos and videos on our YouTube, Facebook and Instagram 

AC/DC Live at Veltins Arena - Gelsenkirchen 17 May 2024

 

                        Back in Germany!

Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen on May 17, 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
    You Shook Me All Night Long
    Rock 'N' Roll Train
    Shoot To Thrill
    Sin City
    Givin The Dog A Bone
    Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
    Dog Eat Dog
    High Voltage
    Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
    Riff Raff
    Highway To Hell
    Whole Lotta Rosie
    Let There Be Rock
    Encore:
    T.N.T.
    For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

And the POWER UP World Tour premiere in Gelsenkirchen came to pass... and what a night it was!

Many fans, including us, were a bit tense about this first show after PowerTrip. The comeback concert in California was incredible, and many skeptics were blown away by the band's energy and power, despite the age and despite the years of inactivity. However, there were doubts about their ability to perform a full-length concert again, let alone an entire world tour! After watching the PowerTrip videos on YouTube, critics had questioned Brian’s voice and Angus's guitar touch. But after this show, it's clear that everyone is unanimous: AC/DC are back in business and in a few shows they will be at full throttle.

At the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, on the day of the show, it was fantastic to meet fans from all over the world, especially those from the Black Ice Tour and Rock or Bust days. We had a great time, enjoying German "delicious" food, sharing stories, and catching up with friends. Seeing familiar faces, particularly our German friends (including the devil horns vendors) brought back a flood of memories. Our buddies from Argentina, Australia, and Canada were also there. It felt almost surreal to see all those people with whom we had shared some of the best times of our lives again, especially after eight years of waiting and a pandemic. After thinking everything was over...

The Veltins Arena is a large covered stadium, which at least guaranteed we wouldn’t get wet if it rained. There were some doubts about the acoustics, and the stage seemed quite simple. However, the lights were more rich and complex than in previous tours, indicating a lot of work for Cosmo. Notably, there were no huge devil horns on top of the stage this time as for BI and ROB tours.

The show started promptly at 8:30. Angus came out in his green suit, with his white hair as seen at PowerTrip. His guitar touch and movements seemed more secure and precise. His cap stayed on almost for the entire show (until HTH) and there was more duck walking than expected. Brian, in a black T-shirt and grey hat, looked leaner and fit for the tour. His voice also sounded much better than at PowerTrip and managed the entire show very professionally. You could feel the "crescendo" of his performance. 

Standing in our usual AC/DC Abruzzo spot, right in front of Angus’ Marshall PA stack, felt like coming back to one of our favourite dreams. Each guitar lick and chord coming from Angus' guitar was a blessing, and we savored every single note. The acoustics in the Arena were exceptional, and the 65,000-strong crowd was louder than the usual German audiences. “If You Want Blood (You've Got It)” was the perfect opener. Hearing it again with Brian on vocals, after Hammersmith 2003 and PowerTrip 2023, was fantastic. And it can only get better as the tour continues.

Seeing the band on stage playing classic songs like Back in Black or Highway to Hell again felt again surreal. Although Cliff and Phil weren’t there, the music was as powerful as ever. Angus, Brian, and Stevie were there, and they brought the same incredible energy. Matt and Chris did a fantastic job, but our eyes and ears were focused on Angus and Brian.

We hoped for a setlist similar to the unbelievable one at Indio, and guess what? It was all there. Every song had its reason to be there, and we appreciated every single second. Getting all the songs from PowerTrip again felt too good to be true, especially for those who couldn’t make it to California for the historic comeback. It really went beyond expectations!

We won't delve into comparisons or "technical analysis" of the performance as some fans like to do, mentioning AC/DC are no longer playing like back in the '90s. Of course they are not and of course there were some technical issues, not very noticeable, and a few minor hiccups (e.g. Riff Raff), but that's what we love about authentic live music...

The concert was a massive rock 'n' roll celebration for old fans and new fans alike. An AC/DC concert is something to be lived in the moment. It's the ultimate collective group meditation for rock'n'roll fans, culminating in the ecstatic solo of "Let There Be Rock," where Angus transcends his human nature and enters a unique rock 'n' roll trance that puts you right there, in the moment making you feel the true essence of rock 'n' roll, HIC ET NUNC. Even if only for a few minutes, it's something that only AC/DC fans at at an AC/DC concert can feel. OMG, we missed AC/DC concerts so much all these years...

Thank you Angus, Thank you Ellen, Thank you Brian and all those that made this tour possible. 

See you on the road!

From AcDc Italia to AcDc Argentina

BACK IN GERMANY! PWRUP TOUR WORLD PREMIERE. WE ARE READY!

 

 After a long break after PowerTrip, with lots of ups and downs, and with the long wait for the announcement of the PowerTrip, we’ve finally made it again and arrived in Gelsenkirchen for the start of the PWRUP Tour. 

The excitement is building as we gather with fans from past tours, all ready to see AC/DC's big return to the stage. The atmosphere outside the Veltins Arena in the last couple of days great. Lots of familiar faces in the road and tecnical crew. AC/DC is back!

We spent some time talking with other fans, and everyone agrees: this is going to be a memorable tour. The new stage setup looks amazing. It’s clear that a lot of work has gone into it, and it promises to be a great visual experience. We think there will be some surprises that will really impress us. We also heard some of the soundcheck. We think the setlist will include some great songs from the PowerTrip show, including the amazing opener "If You Want Blood"

Hearing those familiar riffs and beats has only made us more excited. We can’t wait for the show to start and for this tour to kick off. The excitement is real, and we’re ready to rock out with AC/DC once again. 

 Stay tuned for more updates and reviews as the night goes on. Until then, keep rocking!

 

 

 With Uncle Michel

 

 

Soundcheck - photo from the Internet

 

New Stage - Photo from the internet

 

 

BACK TO THE FUTURE (Hammersmith 2003 - PowerTrip 2023) Live in Indio, CA USA 7 October 2023

Was it real? Was it a dream? Apparently, it's all true! AC/DC is back! After 7 long years, with Brian Johnson on vocals and Cliff Williams on bass! Hard to believe, considering where we stood back in 2016 in Philadelphia...

After Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, and Judas Priest, the Powertrip stage trembled as AC/DC unleashed their roaring setlist that shook the core of every rock fan present.

The electrifying intro video led to the opening song, "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)," which sent shivers down our spines as it resounded across the venue, bringing back memories of the 2003 gig at Hammersmith, London, where we last heard it sung by Brian Johnson! What a great opener and perfect tribute to the 20th anniversary of this unforgettable show which changed our lives!

Besides IFYWB as the opener, the big surprises were "Stiff Upper Lip" (last played live in 2003 at Hammersmith too) and "Riff Raff" also sung by Brian live in front of a crowd (previously only played on VH1 in 1996). And then "High Voltage," and "Dog Eat Dog" sparkled bright under the desert stars.

Two tracks from Power Up, "Demon Fire" and "Shot In The Dark," made their live debut during the Powertrip set, adding a fresh flavor to the performance.

The PIT crowd was a whirlpool of energy, thanks to the fervent South American fans from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, etc. There was even some chanting, River Plate Stadium-style...

As the beats thundered across the desert, it was clear that Matt Laug made a substantial contribution to the AC/DC rhythmic machine with Stevie and Cliff in excellent shape. His striking resemblance, both in looks and beats, to Phil Rudd added a layer of solidity to AC/DC’s rhythmic structure, making the night a rhythmic journey to remember. Apparently, adding "Stiff Upper Lip" to the setlist was suggested to Angus by him... (We still hope Phil will be back soon).

The God of Rock n' Roll, Angus, in an elegant blue suit. And for the first time, full white hair! We confess we shed some tears seeing our rock idol back on stage after so many years. Maybe he was not as mobile on stage as in the ROB tour and with fewer duckwalks, still managed to rip the stage apart, especially during "Let There Be Rock." His fingers danced on the fretboard, conjuring magic that transcended through time and space. Thank God for giving us Angus!

Brian, though seemingly a bit tense, was the epitome of professionalism. His voice, still robust, soared high above the ecstatic crowd, a testament to his undying passion for rock 'n' roll. Of course, he is not the Brian from the '90s but hey, we are not the AC/DC Abruzzo of the Black Ice Tour either, are we?

In any case, considering what Brian had to go through in 2016, it was almost a miracle what we witnessed yesterday. There was a minor issue with the in-ear monitor which was promptly fixed by the crew during "Dog Eat Dog," but apart from that, nothing noticeable from the crowd.

The setlist was a marathon of hits, much longer than anyone anticipated, a delightful surprise that kept the crowd on their feet, head-banging to the rhythm of the rock gods.

And oh, the joy of reuniting with old comrades from Germany, Japan, Belgium, and beyond after such challenging times. The global brotherhood of rock ‘n’ roll was very much alive as we reminisced about past tours.

With a heart full of rock ‘n’ roll and a head reverberating with the night’s melodies, the AC/DC Abruzzo blog is back in business, ready to chronicle the next tour of the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band. Are you ready?

VIDEOS
https://youtube.com/@matteoacdcabruzzo3445?si=rk1bcuVLw-KkM7To

PHOTOS
https://www.facebook.com/matteo.abruzzo?mibextid=ZbWKwL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!

After 8 long years the road of rock 'n' roll led us again to a rendezvous with none other than Brian Johnson! With a hearty handshake Brian welcomed us with his usual kindness and charme. We told him how much we missed him and Ac/Dc and we thanked him for being back! We spoke about next gig in Indio, the setlist, about touring again and about the Italian ciambelle recipe mentioned in his biography...  We also spoke about wine, Italy, social media and much more. 

He gave us some great tips about some Italian restaurants in LA. And it was a pleasure seeing him again ready to rock in great shape.

As we bid adieu, the spirit of rock 'n' roll resonated stronger, the AC/DC Abruzzo blog now back in business, with tales of old, new, and legendary awaiting of the greatest rock'n'roll band in the world!

Stay tuned for more!

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 2016 - Indio, PowerTrip 2023

  

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA 20 September 2016

Rock or Bust

    Shoot to Thrill
    Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
    Back in Black
    Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder
    Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
    Rock 'n' Roll Damnation
    Thunderstruck
    High Voltage
    Rock 'n' Roll Train
    Hells Bells
    Given the Dog a Bone
    If You Want Blood (You've Got it)
    Live Wire
    Sin City
    You Shook Me All Night Long
    Shot Down in Flames
    Have a Drink on Me
    T.N.T.
    Whole Lotta Rosie
    Let There Be Rock

Encore

    Highway to Hell
    Riff Raff 

    Problem Child

    For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

Seven years have whisked by since that night in Philadelphia, marking the end of one of AC/DC's most challenging and tumultuous tours. A journey sprinkled with twists and tough choices... AXL Rose, the "Problem Child" of Rock n'Roll, stood by his idol Angus Young to conclude the final dates of a tour embarked without Malcolm (RIP) and Phil Rudd, and which along the way, also lost Brian Johnson due to his hearing issues...

A lot of time has drifted since that Philly night, and those who were there recall the mixed feelings enveloped throughout that concert and following the last cannon shots of FTATR. After, Phil and Brian, Cliff was also officially out of the band. Was it really the end of AC/DC? That night we thought so... And this petrified us... We couldn't even post the final blog review of the show...

For seven patient years we waited, until the "miraculous" return of Brian in the new album Power UP and that of Phil Rudd... We navigated through a pandemic and problems and uncertainties but here we are again... AC/DC is returning at POWER TRIP and AC/DC Abruzzo will be there!

We were in Philly in 2016 and we will be in Indio in 2023. The year 2023 holds a special place in our hearts, marking the 20th anniversary of the memorable AC/DC gig at London’s Hammersmith in 2003, the concert that changed our life.... 

As we cruise down the highway, the horizon seems to echo with the promise of rhythm, reunion with old tour friends, and the indomitable spirit of rock that binds us all. The adventure has just begun, and we're bubbling with the hope that the Powertrip festival will herald a new chapter of live music for AC/DC, perhaps a world tour? Starting in Italy, maybe? 

In any case, the time has come to reopen the AC/DC Abruzzo blog.

VERIZON CENTER WASHINGTON 17 September 2016

 VERIZON CENTER WASHINGTON 17 September 2016

    Rock or Bust
    Shoot to Thrill
    Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
    Back in Black
    Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder
    Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
    Rock 'n' Roll Damnation
    Thunderstruck
    High Voltage
    Rock 'n' Roll Train
    Hells Bells
    Given the Dog a Bone
    If You Want Blood (You've Got it)
    Live Wire
    Sin City
    You Shook Me All Night Long
    Shot Down in Flames
    Have a Drink on Me
    T.N.T.
    Whole Lotta Rosie
    Let There Be Rock

Encore

    Highway to Hell
    Riff Raff
    For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

OFFICIAL AC/DC ABRUZZO REPORT

After a memorable concert at the Madison Square Garden, a true legendary arena with the best acoustics ever for an indoor rock venue, we headed to Washington. In New York we met our old friends from AC/DC Belgium, Arnaud, Kaori and Hubby, the Germans and many more and we got to see an amazing show. Our impression was that the band played better than in Europe in summer. And Live Wire was another perfect gift to hard core fans, after Touch Too Much.

We were "sitting" in the floor section in New York just in front of the VIP section where Cliff's daughter, wife and MOTHER (apparently 95 year old) were spotted. Also, a lot of models and girls, maybe guests of Axl's ? Everything was great, except for the sleepy American crowd in their reserved seats... Truly difficult to understand for Europeans... Anyway, it was probably the smaller arena where we saw AC/DC during this tour so it was pretty cool for us.

Despite the fact that we were exhausted because of the 14 hour flight and the jetlag but we really had a good time in New York.

I Washington we met Tracy from Australia, Terry from AC/DC Family, Christian from Argentina and many more. The Verizon Center in Washington looked a bit smaller than the MSG and equally intimate. Before the show Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters showed up and sat just next to us. What a cool guy. He looked like a child in a candy store and rocked out during the whole show behind us. :D

Again a great performance from the band. TNT and Let There Be Rock were excellent. If You Want Blood and Live Wire were our favourite songs in the setlis. Angus was again in rock'n'roll trance and showed everyone, once again, why AC/DC should not stop with this tour...

For the first time ever we saw a sign language interpreter translating the songs during the concert. You can see in our video recording of IFYWB.

See you in Philly. Last show of the tour, and maybe of AC/DC...