AC/DC shakes the MCG all night long in blistering performance; bagpiper salute at Fed Square
Resplendent in his red school blazer, tie and cap, AC/DC guitar hero Angus Young, 70, showed he was still the king of rock — with singer Brian Johnson, 78, at his side.
Fifty years ago, AC/DC played at the Noble Park High school hall.
Indeed, 1975 was a prolific year of live shows for the band; 40 Victorian dates, including the Burvale Hotel, Tarmac Hotel, Broadmeadows Town Hall, and the Myer Miss Melbourne department store.
Five decades later, including 40-or-so years as one of the most influential rock bands of all time, AC/DC returned to play on the biggest stage in town, the MCG.
“It’s great to be back in the ancestral home of AC/DC,” singer Brian Johnson told the crowd.
AC/DC – Johnson, lead guitarist Angus Young, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and bassist Chris Chaney – opened their 2025 Australian tour on the hallowed sporting ground on Wednesday night.
The band is in scorching form. To date, they’d played 60 shows to four million people on this Power Up global trek.
The MCG was show 61.
Guitar hero Angus, 70, resplendent in his ruby red school blazer, tie and cap, with Johnson, 78, at his side, is still king of the class, and teaching others the art of rock, riffs and roll.
Angus is a dynamo. He ran the show with absolute engagement, boundless energy, marathon solos and, of course, that beloved duck-walk.
Johnson, one of the best rock screeches and growls in the business, proved his power from the start, with the one-two punch of If You Want Blood, then Back In Black.
The stage — 60m wide and 25m high, with a staircase and upper deck ramp — is fully armed with flames, smoke, pyrotechnics, confetti, massive LED screens, and wall-to-wall Marshall amps.
The famous cannons were used to thunderous effect in the encore, and a giant chime hanging over the stage signalled the doomy intro to Hell’s Bells.
Power Up is a greatest hits show, packed with classics like Highway To Hell, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Stiff Upper Lip, TNT, Let There Be Rock and You Shook Me All Night Long.
At its heart, AC/DC is a primal beast, uncomplicated rock played in the keys of blues and boogie.
Their triumphant MCG show was another reminder that production carries the tricks, but music is the treat.
Famously, the rock icons have a strict requirement after the show — a hot cup of tea.
“Black tea,” their production manager Dale “Opie” Skjerseth confirmed.
“That’s what they do, they chill out.”
Melbourne salutes you, AC/DC. Enjoy your cuppa. You definitely earned it.
The concert followed a day of anticipation in Melbourne, ahead of the concert.
BAGPIPERS SALUTE ROCK GODS
Melbourne was primed for the AC/DC takeover at the MCG on Wednesday night after a full day of events honouring the Australian rock legends.
The celebrations included a high voltage upgrade, and light up installation at the entrance of AC/DC Lane.
“Nearly 50 years ago, AC/DC turned Swanston Street into their stage – igniting a bolt of rock and roll energy that still reverberates through Melbourne today,” City of Melbourne councillor, Mark Scott, said.
“Now, we’re thunderstruck once again – celebrating a defining moment that helped cement Melbourne as Australia’s music capital.”
A few blocks away, hundreds of bagpipers assembled at Federation Square, hoping to break the record for the largest-ever bagpipe ensemble.
Bagpipes are inextricably linked to the AC/DC classic, It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll).
Federation Square bosses also announced, on Wednesday, a free show by AC/DC’s Australian tour support, Melbourne’s Grammy-nominated punk rockers, Amyl and the Sniffers.
That gig will happen on Friday.
Meanwhile, an AC/DC PWR/UP pop-up store, on Brunswick St, Fitzroy, did strong business ahead of the band’s first Melbourne show on Wednesday night.
The band posted to Instagram a sizzle reel of Melbourne hotspots, including AC/DC Lane, the Cherry Bar, as well as statues, laneways, trams, and time lapse footage of the stage set up at the MCG.
AC/DC’s Australian tour promoter, Christo Van Egmond said the band knew the prestige of playing at the East Melbourne stadium.
“I don’t think you could ask for a better place to start the tour,” he said. “It’s an iconic venue and an iconic band.”
He said Angus was “really excited” about the Melbourne shows, adding: “They’re happy to be here, they’re happy to be home.”
The band’s production manager Dale “Opie” Skjerseth said AC/DC is low key and no fuss offstage. Angus and Brian like to relax and keep their focus on the shows.
Asked if they were likely to go sightseeing or visit AC/DC Lane, Mr Skjerseth replied, with a laugh: “Probably not.”
Before their show on Wednesday, AC/DC planned to meet Rob Pope, who will run from Melbourne to Brisbane to raise funds for The Smith Family, World Wildlife Fund, and a British charity, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Mr Pope, a veterinarian and author, leaves Melbourne on Sunday, and hopes to raise $100,000 by the time he reaches Brisbane on December 18, when AC/DC plays at Suncorp Stadium.
AC/DC has created a blow up guitar, and have signed a number of the items to sell at each Australian show, to help Mr Pope’s fundraising efforts.
AC/DC plays a second show at the MCG on Sunday.
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