They’re some of the oldest rockers around…and still amongst the best. When AC/DC noisily but brilliantly entertained 45,000 fans in the Aviva Stadium last week, “the hairs stood on the backs of the necks of the mainly middle-aged audience.” Who says so? Our own SEAMUS DUKE, who was in the audience and reports here on a mesmerising experience…
When it was announced before Christmas last year that AC/DC would play The Aviva Stadium on July 1st, that solved my yuletide present requirements!
The Australian/Scottish rockers had been to Ireland a number of times over the years, but I had never seen them live.
I had been told so many times by so many people that they are unmatched when it comes to a live show. Often when the hype is huge about these things the reality seldom matches the perception – but this was an exception.
The 45,000 people who were in the Aviva last Wednesday night week witnessed one of the greatest live shows ever seen in this country. It was awesome stuff from the start. The band are 41 years on the road and they have not lost one iota of their charisma. In fact they seem to be improving with age.
There have been a few personnel changes in recent months but Brian Johnson in his trademark flat cap still barks out the anthems in his familiar shrill voice and Angus Young remains the star turn – what a performance he put on. Dressed in his usual schoolboy outfit, green cap and green tie, it was hard to credit that this guy is 60 years old.
From the opening strains of ‘Rock or Bust’, Young is goose-stepping from one side of the massive stage to the other, racing over and back, shaking his head and producing the most unbelievable guitar work.
You can have Mark Knopfler, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and all the guitar virtuosos as far as I am concerned, because this guy tops them all. There are 25-years-olds who would not be able to command a stage like he does and his playing is scarcely believable. His energy and skill as a guitar man are incredible. AC/DC detractors will say the music sounds the same and that it is fairly mindless stuff, but these guys have it off to a fine art and their light show, effects and sound was top of the range.
They certainly know how to put on a show. There was little or no chit-chat from the stage as the band rolled out hit after hit. ‘Back in Black’, ‘All Night Long’, ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, ‘For Those Of You Who Are About To Rock’ and ‘Rock and Roll Train’ brought the house down and when ‘Thunderstuck’ arrived it would put the hair standing on the back of your neck to see the wild response of the mainly middle-aged audience.
It was a massive outdoor party on a beautiful night weather-wise. Huge bells arrived for ‘Hells Bells’ as the show went on to the two-hour mark. It included a 10-minute guitar solo from Young who appeared 40 feet above the stage as the show reached its climax.
I have been at scores of concerts over the years and that includes Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, U2, David Bowie, The Police, Elton John, etc., etc. This was probably the best gig I ever had to privilege to be at. It’s certainly up there in the top three.
We might all be getting on in terms of age but Angus Young and his buddies showed that they can rock it up with the best of them. It was a mesmerising experience and a memory I will treasure.
