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?
