Touring in support of Stiff Upper Lip, AC/DC embarked on a massive, world wide, stage-performing domination. Playing locally at the Continental Airlines Arena, I scored floor tickets to the show so that my brother-in-law and I could attend.
I had only seen AC/DC once before during their Razor’s Edge tour, which was also the first concert I ever attended. So when they announced this tour, I was excited to go. The new disc was superior, one of the best they had done in a while, and the live show promised to be just as intense and fun as it was nine years earlier.
I had only seen AC/DC once before during their Razor’s Edge tour, which was also the first concert I ever attended. So when they announced this tour, I was excited to go. The new disc was superior, one of the best they had done in a while, and the live show promised to be just as intense and fun as it was nine years earlier.
Slash’s Snakepit (the second incarnation) was the opening act, which was really cool. I liked Slash a lot, and the Snakepit wasn’t bad. There was also the distinct possibility that some Guns N Roses songs would be played during their set, so that was a bonus.
The Snakepit entertained and served well as an opening act. Playing a few songs from their catalog that I knew, they topped the performance off with classic Guns N Roses – Nighttrain, Paradise City, and Welcome to the Jungle. Not a bad way to open the night.
The wait in between the opening act and the main performance seemed like an eternity, even though it was less than a half-hour. The stage set up was enormous. A huge 3-story elevator shaft sat stage right and climbed all the way to the rafters. Knowing AC/DC performances, I had a rather strong gut feeling that the elevator was going to be put to good use at some point in the show.
When the house lights went down and the elder statesmen took to the stage, the arena erupted with earsplitting cheers and applause. The band may have been billed as one of the loudest touring bands out there, but their fans were certainly some of the loudest fans to witness. Cheers, applause, whistles and screams greeted the rock gurus as they stormed the stage to start the main portion of our evening.
Angus Young still dressed like a schoolboy and still had his signature guitar dance moves. An onstage wizard, Angus would not disappoint that night. He was going to be certain that we got our money’s worth.
Brian Johnson wore his trademark derby hat and jeans, complete with a leather vest that had become known as his style. His voice was scratchy and throaty, but blended perfectly with the music , and it was clear. We knew every word that gravelly voice sang.
Malcom, Phil, and Cliff stood in the background, completing the rhythm section. Set up like a perfectly choreographed ballet, each member of the band had his stage spot and his particular role in the performance. The spotlight was for Angus and Brian, while the rest of the band faded into the background and provided the beat for which the main performers could build form. A band like AC/DC made it work to perfection.
Signature songs were played all night, and of course, the new material was performed to support the new disc. Seven songs from the new album were played and they all sounded great. Of course the classics received the loudest response, and such notables as Shook Me All Night Long, Back in Black, and Let There Be Rock received loud, raucous audience response.
The highlight of the evening came for me when Brian Johnson and the band decided to dust off one of my favorite songs, a lesser-known tune, Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution. Brian mentioned how it had always been one of his favorites, and as soon as the opening strum of the guitar hit the air, I knew which song was about to be played and had chills. AC/DC did a flawless version and Angus hammed it up with schoolboy dance kicks and a knowing nod to the audience that was there to see him.
Late in the show, the elevator shaft was called upon for operation. Angus tore into a blistering solo while the lights faded around the rest of the band and shone brightly on him. He started his solo performance, wailing away on the notes, playing the guitar as only a person of his caliber could. As his intense guitar solo wailed on, Angus hopped into the elevator, rode it three stories to the top, and proceeded to appear on the catwalk at the very top of the arena, almost touching the rafters in the ceiling. From there he went to town on that guitar and then ripped into the opening notes of Let There Be Rock. The response from fans was deafening.
From the floor I was all smiles. The memories of my first concert were strong, and AC/DC gave me another amazing performance, almost as if no time had passed. Their ability to win the crowd over purely on their music, the way the fans sing along to every song, and the way we all appreciate every move that Angus makes, is what helps set AC/DC apart from everyone else. The concert was an incredible event and definitely a worthwhile way to spend an evening. AC/DC gave everyone their money’s worth and then some. All hail the kings of rock.
Setlist
Shook Me All Night Long
Stiff Upper Lip
Shot Down In Flames
Thunderstruck
Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be
Hard As A Rock
Shoot To Thrill
Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution
Safe In New York City
Bad Boy Boogie
Hells Bells
Satellite Blues
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
The Jack
Back In Black
Highway To Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
Encore
TNT
For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
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