There were plenty of thrilling moments, but this band is creaking at the joints
AC/DC’s ability to forge their hard-rock voyage through any and all circumstances knows no limits. In the last 50 years they have faced deaths, legal troubles, line-up changes, commercial dips, the passage of time, and the message is always the same: let there be rock.
“Let’s pick up where we left off and play some rock’n’roll,” ever amiable frontman Brian Johnson said after opener “If You Want Blood ”, as if any other outcome were possible. It felt like a nod, also, to the fact that he wasKnowing exactly what to expect from AC/DC is key to their appeal: much like Jeremy Corbyn’s political views, this sound – huge riffs, wild guitar solos – was set in stone in 1973.
Backed by nephew Stephen, on guitar, Chris Slade on drums and Chris Chaney replacing recently retired Cliff Williams on bass, Young roamed free, while sidekick Johnson, in all black and his trademark flat cap, smiled and chuckled his way through like a man at a craft ale festival. Ever self-aware, he both played up to and simultaneously undercut the more dubious, of-its-time lyrical content, such as that about the larger woman in “Whole Lotta Rosie” – a sexual conquest ofwho died in 1980.
Yet the goodwill remained, and there were plenty of thrilling moments: “Thunderstruck” was electric; “Riff Raff” was blockbuster blues rock; the power chords of “Back in Black” remain a jolt of excitement like no other. Not everything survived the swamp of noise so well. For the closing, incessant “Let There Be Rock”, Young’s extended solo, a brilliant yet ostentatious virtuoso display of 15 minutes, kept going long after you thought it must have finished; much like AC/DC themselves. For how much longer remains to be seen, but if this was the last time, it was a powerful way to go out.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Footage of a young Jamal Musiala playing at Wembley emerges after Euro 2024 masterclass vs ScotlandJamal Musiala starred as Germany thrashed Scotland at Euro 2024.
Read more »
John Swinney, Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson join Tartan ArmyFirst Minister John Swinney and Westminster SNP leader Stephen Flynn took a break from campaigning for the general election as they were spotted enjoying a pre-match beer.
Read more »
John Swinney, Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson join Tartan ArmyFirst Minister John Swinney and Westminster SNP leader Stephen Flynn took a break from campaigning for the general election as they were spotted enjoying a pre-match beer.
Read more »
John Swinney, Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson join Tartan ArmyFirst Minister John Swinney and Westminster SNP leader Stephen Flynn took a break from campaigning for the general election as they were spotted enjoying a pre-match beer.
Read more »
Scotland at Euro 2024 LIVE as Angus Gunn insists the pressure is all on GermanySteve Clarke and the boys are in Germany ahead of Friday's curtain raiser against the hosts in Munich.
Read more »
Angus Gunn exclusive: Scotland goalkeeper on dad Bryan, Euro 2024 & moreAngus Gunn never felt the pressure of following in his father's footballing footsteps, but admits he did annoy his dad by quickly surpassing his Scotland achievements.
Read more »