It’s been a decade since AC/DC last toured our shores, and tonight saw Acca Dacca fans purchase red devil horn merch, a clever marketing ploy that lit up the stadium with red lights.
Local support acts The Casanovas and Amyl and the Sniffers, wear their influences proudly on their sleeves and one of those influences is AC/DC so it’s fitting that they’re on the bill supporting our Aussie rock legends tonight.
At the early hour of 6 pm, the Casanovas entered the stage, to a scant sea of stalwart rock fans, with the majority of punters coming later to see AC/DC.
“This is an old one called Shake it” exclaims lead vocalist/ guitarist Tommy Boyce. Flanked by founding member Jimmy Lewis, and (Dallas Crane’s) Dave Larkin on guitar with Brett Wolfenden on drums, The Cassanovas do a fine job of rousing the punters. “Living in the City” is influenced by Acca Dacca,” Boyce states proudly. “We’ve been together for 26 years” offers Boyce and it’s a crying shame they haven’t scaled the heights of success of their counterparts.
Amyl and the Sniffers need no introduction. Fresh from a recent European tour, they explode on stage with “Security”. Front woman Amy Taylor is a force of nature. Clad in a silky cropped blue tracky top and matching shorts, with flicked blonde locks and bright make up, she goes off like a firecracker. Running up and down the stage, her energy is infectious spilling into the throng, many of who are singing along.
The band including drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Dec Martens and bassist Gus Romer are formidable, and power through hits “Big Dreams”, and “Knifey” in quick succession. There are many veritable highlights in tonight’s set: “Chewing Gum” and “Guided by Angels” are standouts. “It’s gonna go off like a bucket of prawns” offers Amy in anticipation of AC/DC’s show.
“Anyone here from Balaclava?”, quizzes Amy. “That’s where we first started,” before launching into “Balaclava Lover Boogie.” Ending strongly with “Hertz,” Amyl and the Sniffers rocked our socks off and primed the punters for the onslaught of Acca Dacca.
As night descends upon the MCG and stars twinkle in the clear blue sky, the screens show a car, bathed in fiery red revving down the Highway to Hell, whilst those red horns dot the arena with red lights. As the video ends and AC/DC take to the stage, launching their PWR UP tour, the crowd roars.
Opener “If you Want Blood (You’ve got it)”, sees lead guitarist Angus Young clad in his trademark schoolboy out fit; a flocked red velvet short suit, as he struts around the stage.
The love for Acca Dacca is palpable and Melburnians have claimed them as their own, despite their early origins in Sydney.
Earlier that day a world record was smashed; 374 bagpipe players performing “It’s a Long way to the top (If you Wanna Rock n Roll)” at Federation square beating the previous record of 333 in Bulgaria in 2012.
It’s a song that AC/DC never perform live out of respect for the late Bon Scott. Similarly with “Live Wire” which was known as “Bon’s”song.
“Back in Black” with its characteristic and often copied meaty-riff follows and is one of many highlights in tonight’s set. Brian Johnson’s vocals are strong and the show is devoid of the issues that plagued their last tour much to the delight of the crowd.
As the signature intro guitar riff to “Thunderstruck” blares out at lightning speed, 70 year old Young’s nimble fingers belie his age. He is simply brilliant.
Audience members pump their fists in unison, whilst video effects on the screen show lightning around Young and Johnson. They are on fire.
AC/DC’s repertoire features anthemic songs that are perfect for an arena such as the MCG.
The other band members are distinguished musicians in their own right ; Jane’s Addiction’s Chris Chaney on bass, Angus’ nephew Stevie Young on rhythm guitar and Matt Laug ( Alice Cooper) on drums.
The volume is set high and that’s how the crowd likes it. A flash of someone’s phone reads 99 decibels ; It’s no wonder the show could be heard kilometres away.
As the giant bell descends in the middle of the stage, the crowd bellows once more, “Hell’s Bells” blares out at full volume. (The props are well known to the fans by now).
“Highway to Hell,” closely follows and the first few bars of the next song sees the crowd go wild. It’s “Jailbreak”, a song that hasn’t been played live for 34 years !
AC/DC are a hard rock band who infuse their songs with a groove that makes them conducive to dancing. “Jailbreak, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” “High Voltage” incite dancing en masse and “You Shook me all Night Long” sees the entire stadium sing their guts out.
The blow up doll prop is now a video image on screen for “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and “Let There be Rock” features an extended guitar solo that sees Young do a 360 on the floor whilst simultaneously playing guitar. He’s unstoppable !
A searing rendition of T.N.T and a signature end to all of their shows “For Those About to Rock( We Salute you) feature in the encore and cannons exploding with some mini fireworks signal the shows end. Two hours of unadulterated rock from the early hard rock pioneers leave the 80,000 punters sated and their ears ringing.
Eleven out of the 21 songs performed tonight are from the Bon- Scott years before his untimely death in 1980, and his memory is always present in AC/DC shows ; in the minds and hearts of the audience members and the band members, even without a screen tribute.
AC/DC put on an unforgettable rock show that cements their standing as one of the best live acts in the world.
