Legendary Rockers Return to Their Ancestral Home
AC/DC launched their highly anticipated Power Up tour of Australia with an electrifying performance at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night, marking their first concert in the country for a decade. The legendary rock band, often affectionately known as 'Accadacca' in their homeland, delivered a thunderous two-hour-plus spectacle to a roaring crowd of 80,000 devoted fans.
A Setlist Stuffed with Timeless Anthems
The evening began with a powerful one-two punch, kicking off with If You Want Blood (You've Got It) before tearing straight into the iconic Back in Black. This bold move set the tone for what was essentially a greatest hits celebration, proving the band's confidence and the timeless appeal of their catalogue. The set was packed with classics including Shoot to Thrill, High Voltage, Highway to Hell, You Shook Me All Night Long, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, TNT, and Whole Lotta Rosie.
A major surprise for long-time fans was the inclusion of Jailbreak, a track the band had not performed live since 1991, which was met with huge enthusiasm. Despite the tour's name being taken from their 2020 album 'Power Up', the band played only one song from it, instead focusing on the crowd-pleasing anthems that have defined their career.
The Unstoppable Force of Angus Young
At 70 years old, guitarist Angus Young, still clad in his trademark schoolboy shorts, remains a frenzied force on stage. While perhaps a step slower on the frenetic opening of Thunderstruck, his energy was undeniable. Young delivered a lengthy, indulgent, and hugely entertaining guitar solo during Let There Be Rock, a performance that felt like a direct challenge to any doubters.
He slowly shed clothes throughout the set, even using his tie as a violin bow on his guitar, and by the end, with his shirt unbuttoned, he was in complete command. His signature duckwalk across the massive stage, wild-eyed and juddering as if electrocuted, confirmed that his stage presence is as potent as ever.
Band Chemistry and a Record-Breaking Prelude
Vocalist Brian Johnson, 78, acknowledged the band's deep connection to Melbourne, calling it their 'ancestral homeland' as the home of late former frontman Bon Scott. While his voice may not reach the screeching heights of the 1980s, his passion was unmistakable, and he performed with a constant smile, clearly thrilled to be back after being forced to leave their 2016 tour due to hearing loss.
The rhythm section provided tight support, with Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, Chris Chaney on bass, and Matt Laug on drums, who played with the determination of a man trying to trigger an earthquake. The concert was preceded by a world record event, where 374 bagpipers gathered in Federation Square to play It's a Long Way to the Top, honouring the band's famous 1970s performance of the song on a flatbed truck on Swanston Street—a hit they no longer play live out of respect for Scott.
With the sheer volume and power on display, the warning from the review holds true: your eardrums will not be the same. For those lucky enough to secure a ticket, this tour feels like a potentially final, triumphant return to the homeland—and what a spectacular, thrilling send-off it is proving to be.
