Caught AC/DC last night in NJ at Metlife Stadium (which as a lifelong Giants fan will always be GIANTS Stadium to me and many others). Was real curious how they would hold up at this stage of their career. Brian is in his late 60’s, stadium size stage, and music that needs to be played with a ton of energy. Amazingly the band delivered on all fronts and add Brian to the very short list of aging frontmen that can still perform and sing incredibly well (Steven Tyler still being the king for me in this category). Angus was Angus, incredible guitar tone, non stop energy, every bit the icon that he is. Cliff rock solid as usual. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss Malcolm and Phil. That’s not to say for a minute Stevie Young and Chris Slade didn’t do a great job, because they did, but there will always be a void felt whenever legendary bands lose iconic members along the way. Stevie totally channeled Malcolm, looked and acted very much like him, played great. And Slade has been there before and delivered on all fronts. But it’s not only the sound and performance that changes when you see legendary bands replace members, it’s also a reminder the end for the band itself is likely near. Every group has one or two guys that they can’t exist without. And the cold reality is as long as they are there the draw and interest won’t suffer. Outside of the hardcore last night nobody knew or cared who was on second guitar and drums last night. They saw Angus, they saw Brian, they heard the hits, they loved it. And that is the dynamic for most bands (except maybe Rush!). It is incredible how huge AC/DC are. A global stadium act that sold out a stadium in NJ last night on a Wednesday with no name support act (Vintage Trouble opened but got there too late to see them, heard mostly good though). They appeal to everyone. I was in a box with EDM superstar Tiesto, a bunch of young models, and guys that were around 70, all loving it and bopping around. Few hard rock bands have ever had a more mass appeal. The stage was massive, lighting very cool, and there was a huge ramp out into the crowd which wasn’t used all that much. The set featured all the key hits from the last 4 decades, 5 songs from Back In Black, and a few deeper cuts. R&R Train from the last album and a few from Rock Or Bust including the title track and Play Ball. The only negative was they opened with the song Rock Or Bust which I found a strange decision. There was this huge build up on the screens to the band coming out that lasted like 10 minutes, then when they finally hit the stage it was with a song that almost nobody in the crowd knew. With the amount of powerhouse classics they have I found that a strange choice to open with and to lose most of the crowd after a dramatic intro. But it was quickly forgotten when they kicked into Shoot To Thrill next. Goes without saying this is one of rocks all time great, and certainly biggest bands. I worry about bands staying too long at the party when they reach this age, and honestly some have. But outside of being down two key members AC/DC showed no signs at all of losing anything in delivering an incredible catalog of songs still on the biggest stages out there. I am generally not a fan of stadium shows. Too big, too many distractions, too much sound moving around and getting lost. But AC/DC always pulls it off. No fake tracks, no gimmicks, just raw real rock like it should be! I am happy to report that I hear an arena tour for early next year in the U.S. is likely. So it looks like plenty of gas left in their tank and that’s good to hear!
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Great show! I also thought it was weird that the ramp wasn’t really used until the end.
I saw them last weekend at Gillette Stadium. Been my favorite band since I was about 12 years old but only saw them 1 other time on Razers Edge tour. Oh my goodness what an absolutely amazing band. They absolutely still have it and in my honest opinion I don’t think you can find a better live rock band. I could’ve listened to 2 more hours. The simple fact that these guys can still perform at this level for over 2 hours is nothing short of mind blowing. Every song sounded great and it was cool to hear a few deeper tracks such as live wire and have a drink on me (would’ve loved to hear it’s a long way to the top though.) Gillette stadium was packed and it was so cool to see multi generations of fans. I agree with you Eddie there are not many (if any) bands that can transcend generations and genres the way ac/dc does. I took my 10 year old son and my wife and it was a great thrill to be rocking out to our favorite band together, a memory I’ll cherish forever. Even if your not a huge fan I can’t imagine any fan of rock music going to an ac/dc show and not having the time of their life. These guys are the real deal. I’ve long admired them not only for their musical ability and their knack for writing songs that are are almost 40 years old and still kick ass, but for their workmanship. The fans have certainly made them very wealthy but everytime they walk out on that stage they earn their money and give everything they have back to the fans. When you see ac/dc live, you are seeing a band that will no doubt be forever known as one of the greatest rock bands ever. I agree I missed Malcolm but Stevie never missed a beat and complimented Angus as well as Malcolm did for so many years. I always loved Phils drumming but Chris is a monster drummer and I’m glad to see him back in the band. Cliff was rock steady as usual and great backing vocals. And Angus and Brian? Those guys are simply not human. For anyone at his age to be able to sing at that level at his age for over 2 hours is amazingy. Angus? Name another guitarist at any age that can do what he does, all the while playing absolutely shredding lead guitar and never missing a note. Thanks guys for memories that will last a lifetime. God bless ac/dc!
Hi Eddie,
I was there last night, and anybody who wasn’t familiar with “Rock Or Bust,” that was their loss! I agree that after that intro, might have been a better idea to begin the show with something a little more “popular” for the less hardcore. “Have A Drink On Me” was a pleasant surprise! Great news that AC/DC is planning an arena tour next year, would love to see them again! Cheers. 🙂
So glad to hear that they still got it. Especially Brian. How can anybody in the world last 4 songs or more with that screaming, yet he’s been doing it for decades. I guess chain smoking has it benefits. I disagree with you. Opening with a new song is them telling the crowd that they still have relevant, cranking songs. Plus it’s cool to see the excitement from the crowd for a new song as it’s too early to already go for a bathroom break.
eddie I too was there last night,sound was flat in back of the house,sec229 row 1.sound was fixed by dirty deeds,n was great.i took a tour bus from nyc,company had 4 buses of fans eddie,4.rock n metal alive n well.great show,brutal ny/nj traffic,even on a bus.hope they come back n play Madison square garden
1st time i missed them since 1984,damm i saw video from the show,it looked and sounded great,but everytime i have seen them ,they always open up with the title track from what ever new record they are promoting,i guess it there thing,the only thing i did notice though ,was angus never took off his shirt,he always did???but i hope they do come around again,then i can chk them out like always,one of the best shows out there,dont want to break my streak,like eddie said,they have to be winding down too,cant out run father time unfort