AC/DC drop huge surprise in first show of Aussie stadium tour

The rock legends shocked the crowd at Melbourne’s MCG last night by doing something they haven’t in 34 years.

Aussie rock legends AC/DC dropped a surprise midway through the first show of their Australian tour in Melbourne last night, performing one of their classics live for the first time in decades.

The band shocked fans by playing their 1976 hit single Jailbreak, a highlight from third album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, for the first time in 34 years.

Blunt Magazine reports that the last known performance of the Aussie rock classic by AC/DC was during the band’s 1991 world tour, as shown in the Live at Donington concert film.

The veteran rock band earned rave reviews from fans on social media, with some present marvelling at how hard the band rocked given their advanced ages (singer Brian Johnson is the oldest member of the band at 78).

AC/DC stars at soundcheck before yesterday’s show.

One fan on TikTok called it a “triumphant return,” while another shared a video of the rockers commanding the stadium and reminded people: “These guys are in their 70s by the way …”

They might’ve done some fan service with a rare outing of Jailbreak, but as we reported yesterday, there’s one AC/DC classic punters almost definitely won’t be hearing on this tour.

They won’t be playing It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll), having retired from the band’s concert setlist in 1980 after the death of frontman Bon Scott in London at 33 from alcohol poisoning.

His replacement Brian Johnson has said he would never sing it out of respect for Scott, who co-wrote the anthem with Angus and Malcolm Young, as it was regarded as his trademark track.

The band, seen here on stage at a 2015 show, aired a classic song last night for the first time in decades. Picture: David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns via Getty Images

AC/DC’s Australian tour continues with another show at Melbourne’s MCG on Sunday night before stadium shows across Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. Final tickets are still available.

AC/DC’s Australian tour – night one setlist:

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)

Back in Black

Demon Fire

Shot Down in Flames

Thunderstruck

Have a Drink on Me

Hells Bells

Shot in the Dark

Stiff Upper Lip

Highway to Hell

Shoot to Thrill

Sin City

Jailbreak

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

High Voltage

Let There Be Rock

Encore:

T.N.T.

For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)