What Is It Like to See AC/DC Live?
The bell drops. Angus strips. The cannons fire. The same 21 songs in the same order every night. AC/DC's ritual is unshakeable, which is precisely why seeing Angus at 70 and Brian Johnson at 77, knowing it might be the last time, hits harder than anything you've ever felt at a stadium.
What to Know Before You Go
- 1Bring earplugs. This is non-negotiable.
AC/DC is one of the loudest live acts in the world. The Power Up production adds pyrotechnics with concussive force that can cause hearing damage without protection. Pharmacy foam plugs preserve your hearing and the experience. If you're bringing kids, get them proper ear protection.
- 2You're there for a ritual, not a surprise.
The setlist does not change. Same 21 songs in the same order, same props (bell, cannons), same Angus striptease during "Let There Be Rock." The predictability is the point. AC/DC fans want the ritual repeated exactly.
- 3The Hells Bell drops at the start of "Hells Bells."
A one-ton bronze bell descends from the ceiling and Brian Johnson strikes it with a hammer. It's one of rock's most iconic moments. Be in your seat on time or you'll miss it.
- 4"For Those About to Rock" closes with actual cannons firing.
Blank-charge Napoleonic cannons fire in sync with the song's climax. The flash and boom are startling. Don't leave during the encore or you'll miss it.
- 5The show runs two hours and 15 minutes with no filler.
Every song is a hit or a deep fan favorite from the classic eras. The pace is relentless from opening to closing cannon salute.
- 6Watch Angus Young's extended solo on "Let There Be Rock."
He's lifted on a riser above the stage, spotlit alone, and plays for up to 20 minutes. A 70-year-old man in short pants becomes the greatest showman in rock.
- 7The floor is rowdy but manageable.
Expect pushing and spilled beer during "Thunderstruck" and "Shoot to Thrill." If you want proximity without the crush, grab lower bowl seats in the first 20 rows.
- 8Brian Johnson's voice is inconsistent night to night.
He's 77 and using hearing aids after nearly losing his hearing entirely. Some nights are strong, some are rougher. Adjust your expectations and appreciate the grit.
- 9City-specific tour posters are collector items that resell quickly.
Arrive when doors open if you want one. Full prices and strategy in the [Merch section](#merch) below.
- 10Check who's opening your date.
2025 North American dates feature The Pretty Reckless. Moody hard rock that divides opinions, but worth arriving early to catch.
At a Glance
- Show Length
- 2h 14m
- Songs Per Show
- 21
- Costume Changes
- 1 (Angus strips during extended solo)
- Setlist Variety
- Virtually identical night to night
- Punctuality
- Starts on time
- Venue Type
- Stadiums
- Career Shows
- 2,283
- Touring Since
- 1973
Longer than most artists
More theatrical than most artists
Highly road-tested
Long-tenured veteran
AC/DC plays longer shows, more costume changes, and more career shows than most artists we cover.
What It's Actually Like
Bell Drops, Angus Strips, Cannons Fire
The opening happens before the first song starts. The house lights drop. The crowd erupts. A one-ton bronze bell descends from the ceiling on massive chains and Brian Johnson walks out to strike it with a hammer. The tolling is deafening. It's been the opening salvo for 46 years, and it still hits like a gut punch. Then the band launches into "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" and the show becomes a machine. The setlist is carved in stone. Night after night it's identical: same order, same transitions, same moments where the crowd loses their collective mind. You could see AC/DC ten nights in a row and hear the exact same song in the exact same sequence. Nothing changes. And that's the entire point.
Angus Young Is Impossible to Ignore
At 70 years old, Angus Young is the visual centerpiece of everything happening on stage. He's wearing the same schoolboy costume he's worn since 1974: shorts, blazer, tie, cap. He duckwalks across the stage. He drops to the ground and does his spasm move, convulsing on his back while soloing. During "Let There Be Rock," he's lifted on a riser above the stage, spotlit alone, playing for 15 to 20 minutes while the rest of the band leaves. The extended solo is the guitar centerpiece. It's also the moment where you realize a man in his seventies, drenched in sweat, shirtless and moving like a teenager, is still one of the greatest performers in rock history. Fan accounts consistently describe disbelief at his stamina. Angus is slower than he was in the 1980s. The showmanship compensates entirely.
Brian Johnson's Voice Is a Legitimate Debate
Brian Johnson returned to touring in 2024 after being pulled from the road in 2016 when doctors warned he risked total hearing loss. He's using new hearing aid technology developed by a specialist. Fan opinion on his current vocals splits genuinely. Some report his voice sounded strong on the gravel-throated songs ("Highway to Hell," "Back in Black") and weaker on the high-register screamers ("Thunderstruck," "For Those About to Rock"). Others say the entire 2024 European leg was rough. The consensus: Johnson at 77 cannot deliver the Back in Black studio vocals, but what he delivers is authentic. The crowd fills the gaps. If you're expecting a studio recording, you'll be disappointed. If you're expecting a 77-year-old man giving everything he has to songs he's been singing for 45 years, you'll be moved.
The Volume Is Not Accidental
AC/DC shows rank among the loudest in live music. The band has been associated with extreme volume since the 1970s Australian pub days. Stadium sound systems only amplified the issue. Multiple 2024 and 2025 fan accounts describe the volume as physically painful without earplugs, particularly during "Thunderstruck" and "For Those About to Rock" when the pyro adds concussive force. The volume hits your chest. The cannons fire during the finale and you feel it in your ribs. This is not a technical problem. This is the point. AC/DC made their name on maximum volume. They're not softening it for stadiums.
The Setlist Tells You Which Era They Love Most
The Power Up tour setlist is dominated by 1975 to 1981 material. Of the 21 songs in the main set, 16 come from the High Voltage through For Those About to Rock period. The remaining five slots go to post-1981 selections. Bon Scott-era fans get "Highway to Hell," "T.N.T.," "Whole Lotta Rosie," "Let There Be Rock," "If You Want Blood," "Shot Down in Flames," "Sin City," "High Voltage," "Riff Raff," and "Have a Drink on Me." Brian Johnson-era fans get "Back in Black," "Hells Bells," "Thunderstruck," "Shoot to Thrill," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "For Those About to Rock," and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap." Plus a few Power Up era tracks ("Demon Fire," "Shot in the Dark") and selections from Stiff Upper Lip and Black Ice. The band plays the greatest hits and nothing but the greatest hits. The crowd knows every word to every song. "T.N.T." and "You Shook Me All Night Long" generate stadium-wide singalongs.
Three Generations, One Crowd
AC/DC crowds are predominantly male but have diversified significantly in recent years. The core demographic is men aged 40 to 65 who grew up on Back in Black and Razor's Edge. The Power Up tour brought visible numbers of younger fans (20s and 30s) and more women than previous tours. Families attend, though it's less common than at other stadium acts due to the volume. The standing sections have push-and-shove energy during "Thunderstruck" and "Shoot to Thrill," but it's celebration, not aggression. The vibe is beery, joyful, uncomplicated. The emotional flavor of an AC/DC show is pure fun. This is 60,000 people grinning for two straight hours singing along to music that hasn't changed in 50 years.
Power Up Tour (2024-2026)
71 shows as of early 2026. The 2024 European leg (24 shows) sold 2 million tickets with $69.3 million gross from reported Pollstar shows at an average ticket price of $149. The tour began May 17, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and ran through August in Dublin. A 13-date North American leg ran April-May 2025. A second European leg of 12 shows ran June-August 2025. Additional 2026 dates are announced for South America, Australia, and Europe.
The Stage Is the Most Ambitious AC/DC Has Ever Built
The stage spans 60 meters wide and 25 meters high, designed by Stufish with technical production by Wonder Works. A B-stage thrust extends into the crowd with a staircase and ramp. Angus uses this during "Let There Be Rock" for his extended solo walkabout. The lighting rig and LED screens wrap around the audience, meaning there's no bad seat. The production is tight and professional, the kind of technical undertaking you notice only because it works flawlessly.
The Ritual Remains Unchanged But Props Evolved
The Hells Bell drops for "Hells Bells." The cannons fire for "For Those About to Rock." These are the two non-negotiable props. However, the giant inflatable Rosie that accompanied "Whole Lotta Rosie" on previous tours has been replaced by an animated neon-outlined Rosie on the video screens. Long-time fans noted this change with disappointment, viewing the inflatable as a beloved tradition that's been lost. Pyrotechnics are extensive (fire columns, flash pots, cannon salute finale). The heat from the pyro reaches the first 20 to 30 rows.
The Setlist Remains Fixed, with One Notable Exception
The Power Up tour setlist is almost identical night to night. The same 21 songs in the same order. In November 2025, AC/DC played "Jailbreak" for the first time in 34 years at a Melbourne show. This was the only significant setlist change of the entire tour, which tells you something about the deliberate nature of AC/DC's approach. Predictability is the brand promise, and they deliver it.
Brian Johnson's Vocals Vary More Than the Setlist
The consensus from fans who attended multiple 2024 and 2025 dates: Johnson's voice was stronger on the 2025 North American leg than the 2024 European leg. Some nights he sounds almost powerful. Other nights the age shows. The crowd compensates by singing louder. What you're witnessing is a man in his late 70s giving everything he has to songs he's performed thousands of times. The authenticity matters more than perfection.
The Pretty Reckless Opened 2025 North American Dates
Taylor Momsen's band performed moody hard rock that divided opinion. Some fans praised Momsen's stage presence and predicted she'd be filling stadiums herself. Others felt the style was a poor fit for an AC/DC crowd. The general consensus: they're professional, but they're not why anyone bought a ticket.
Fan Verdict
Overwhelmingly positive with caveats. The production is the band's most visually ambitious. The setlist hits every song casual fans want to hear. The concerns center on Brian Johnson's vocal consistency and the sense that this may be the final tour. Fans consistently express nostalgia, describing the show as possibly their last chance to see the band. The consensus: if you've never seen AC/DC, this is your last realistic opportunity, and the show delivers.
Going to a Show?
Seeing AC/DC on this tour? Add the date to Concerts Remembered now. You'll have the setlist and your own notes from the night instead of trying to remember it a year later.
AC/DC · artist guide
AC/DC crowd traditions
Six documented rituals. None of them need anything from you in advance.
Just show up
The Hells Bell
PermanentA one-ton bronze bell descends from the ceiling at the start of "Hells Bells." Brian Johnson strikes it with a hammer. One of rock's most iconic moments, unchanged since 1980.
The Cannons
PermanentLife-sized Napoleonic cannons fire during "For Those About to Rock," the show's final song. Blank charges fire in sync with the climactic riff.
Angus Young's Schoolboy Uniform and Striptease
PermanentAngus wears his schoolboy outfit (shorts, blazer, tie, cap) at every show. During his extended solo, he strips down to the waist and occasionally moons the crowd.
The "Angus! Angus!" Chant
PermanentNorth American and European crowds chant "Angus! Angus!" between songs and during Angus's solo spotlight moments. It's a stadium-wide call-and-response distinct to AC/DC shows.
City-Specific Tour Posters
This tour onlyPower Up Era
Limited-edition city-specific posters are sold at merch stands for each Power Up date. They've become a collector pursuit with rising resale values.
The Extended "Let There Be Rock" Solo
PermanentDuring "Let There Be Rock," the band drops out and Angus plays a 15-20 minute extended improvised guitar solo. He's lifted on a riser, spotlit alone, and performs his entire physical repertoire.
Concerts Remembered Artist Index · traditions documented from fan communities, tour reports and press · reviewed April 2026
Merch
What You'll Pay
T-Shirts
$50
Pricier than most — average is $43
Posters
$50
Pricier than most — average is $35
Based on 274 artists · Updated Sep 2026
What's Exclusive
City-specific event tees are unique to each Power Up tour date, with artwork that changes per stop. Limited-edition screen-printed posters are sold at the merch stands for each show and are not available online afterward. The 2025 North American leg introduced a soccer jersey and enamel pin set exclusive to the tour.
The Strategy
The city posters are the item that sells out. They go fast, sometimes within the first hour after doors open. If you want one, arrive when doors open and go straight to the merch stand. General tour tees and hoodies are available online through the official AC/DC store after the tour, so there's no rush on those.
Quality Verdict
Fan opinion is split. Some praise the 2025 designs as a major improvement over past tours, particularly the city-specific artwork. Others report the fabric on the $50 tees feels thin for the price. The posters are universally well-regarded as collector pieces.
AC/DC · merch
Is the merch at a AC/DC show worth queueing for?
Not what it costs. The price card answers that. This is whether the queue is optional, which has different inputs.
- Can you get it later?
- Tees yes, posters no
- Is it worth the money?
- Fans are split
- When do you queue?
- Doors open, for posters
- What will you spend?
- $50
Concerts Remembered Artist Index · exclusivity, quality and queue behaviour compressed from this guide · spend computed from documented merch prices · reviewed April 2026
AC/DC · tour history
AC/DC went from clubs to stadiums in 51 years
Room size by tour. A bar spanning two rows is a tour that played both.
| Year | Tour | Room size |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Bon Scott Era Tours | Arenas and clubs |
| 1980 | Back in Black Tour | Stadiums and arenas |
| 1982 | For Those About to Rock Tour | Stadiums and arenas |
| 1990 | The Razors Edge Tour | Stadiums and arenas |
| 1996 | Ballbreaker World Tour | Stadiums and arenas |
| 2000 | Stiff Upper Lip World Tour | Stadiums and arenas |
| 2008 | Black Ice World Tour | Stadiums |
| 2015 | Rock or Bust World Tour | Stadiums |
| 2024 | Power Up Tour | Stadiums |
Concerts Remembered Artist Index · 9 documented tours · room size as described in each tour entry · reviewed April 2026
AC/DC · turning points
What made AC/DC's show what it is
6 moments that changed the live show, or changed who is in the room.
2023
Oct 7 · Indio, CA
The seven year silence ends at a desert festival
Brian Johnson sang with AC/DC for the first time since February 2016, Matt Laug took Phil Rudd's drum seat, and the running order the band used that night was then repeated song for song when the Power Up tour launched in Gelsenkirchen.
2015
Apr 10 · Indio, CA
The first AC/DC show without Malcolm Young
Stevie Young took over rhythm guitar after Malcolm left the band with dementia and Chris Slade sat in for the absent Phil Rudd, putting the Rock or Bust touring lineup on a stage in front of a Coachella crowd Loudwire called an audience of hipsters.
1991
Jan 18 · Salt Lake City, UT
Three teenagers crushed on the floor
Salt Lake City began enforcing a 1982 ordinance outlawing festival seating and its major venues stopped letting audiences stand on the floor, so when AC/DC returned to the city in 2001 the entire crowd sat in reserved seats at the E Center.
1988
Malcolm sits out a tour to get sober
Nephew Stevie Young stood in on rhythm guitar for most of the Blow Up Your Video world tour while Malcolm was treated for alcoholism, the same substitution AC/DC made permanent in September 2014 when Malcolm retired.
1976
Eleven nights at the Marquee
AC/DC broke the London club's all time house attendance record across the residency, and within seven months of their first UK pub gig at the Red Cow in Hammersmith they were playing the Reading Festival and the Hammersmith Odeon.
Concerts Remembered Artist Index · each moment sourced on its card · reviewed April 2026
Tour History
Power Up Tour
Rock or Bust World Tour
$221.1 million gross.
Black Ice World Tour
$441.6 million gross, 4.9 million attendance.
Stiff Upper Lip World Tour
Ballbreaker World Tour
The Razors Edge Tour
Back in Black Tour
The tour that introduced Brian Johnson to AC/DC fans following Bon Scott's death on February 19, 1980.
For Those About to Rock Tour
Introduced the stage cannons that fire during the album's title track.
Bon Scott Era Tours
Over 700 shows from formation through Scott's death in February 1980.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two hours and 15 minutes of the same 21 songs in the same order you heard last time, which is precisely what you came for. The Hells Bell drops. Angus Young, shirtless and drenched in sweat at 70 years old, duckwalks across the stage and then plays a 20-minute solo while spotlit alone. The crowd sings every word. The cannons fire during the finale and you feel the concussive force in your chest. The emotion is uncomplicated joy. You're not discovering anything new. You're experiencing a ritual that hasn't changed in 50 years.
Approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes on the Power Up tour, based on setlist.fm averages across 70 reported sets. The opener is always "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)." The main set closer is "Let There Be Rock" with Angus's extended solo. The encore is always "T.N.T." followed by "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)," which closes with the cannon salute.
Almost exclusively hits and well-known deep cuts from the classic eras. The Power Up setlist draws 16 of 21 songs from the 1975 to 1981 period. You will hear "Back in Black," "Hells Bells," "Thunderstruck," "For Those About to Rock," and "You Shook Me All Night Long." You will also hear "Whole Lotta Rosie," "Let There Be Rock," "Highway to Hell," and "T.N.T." There are no obscurities. The band plays the songs every casual fan knows and every devoted fan expects.
Absolutely, but it depends on what you mean by good. If you're expecting vocal perfection from a 77-year-old man, you'll be disappointed. Brian Johnson is inconsistent night to night. But if you're expecting authentic performance from a band that hasn't changed their approach in 50 years, that's exactly what you'll get. Angus Young at 70 is still the most visually commanding performer in stadium rock. The production is the most ambitious AC/DC has ever mounted. The crowd involvement is total. The ritual aspect is the entire appeal. It's good because it's AC/DC doing AC/DC, not trying to be something else.
He was pulled from the 2016 Rock or Bust tour after doctors warned of total hearing loss. He returned to touring in 2024 using new hearing aid technology developed by a specialist. Fan opinion splits genuinely. Some nights his voice sounds strong on the gravel-throated songs. Other nights the age shows. The 2025 North American dates received reports of stronger vocals than the 2024 European leg. He's not delivering the Back in Black studio performance. What he is delivering is a 77-year-old man giving everything to songs he's been singing for 45 years. The crowd compensates by singing louder.
Comfortable shoes, because you'll be standing for two hours and the floor is rowdy. The crowd skews overwhelmingly male and doesn't have a strict dress code. Vintage AC/DC tour shirts (especially pre-2000) are the flex. Families attend, so there's no specific dress expectation.
Yes, especially if you've never seen AC/DC before. The consensus among fans is that the Power Up tour is likely the final tour. Angus Young is 70. Brian Johnson is 77. If you want to witness the ritual before it ends, this is the realistic final opportunity. The production is the best they've ever mounted. The setlist is everything you want to hear. If you're a casual fan who knows the hits, you'll get exactly what you came for. If you're a devoted fan, you're showing up for the nostalgia and the knowledge that this might be the last time.
Yes. The setlist is virtually identical night to night on the Power Up tour. "If You Want Blood" opens. "Let There Be Rock" closes the main set. "T.N.T." and "For Those About to Rock" close the encore with the cannon salute. In between, you get "Hells Bells," "Thunderstruck," "Back in Black," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Whole Lotta Rosie," "Highway to Hell," and a mix of other classics. The only surprise in 71 shows was "Jailbreak" appearing for the first time in 34 years at Melbourne in November 2025. Other than that, the setlist is locked.
The production is more visually ambitious. The stage is 60 meters wide and 25 meters high with LED screens wrapping around the audience. The props remain the same (bell, cannons, Angus's striptease) but the lighting integration is the most extensive AC/DC has ever used. The biggest change: the inflatable Rosie from previous tours has been replaced by an animated neon Rosie on the video screens. Long-time fans expressed disappointment at this loss. Brian Johnson's vocals are more inconsistent than they were on the Black Ice tour (2008-2010), which hardcore fans cite when comparing the two tours. The overall consensus: Power Up has the best production, Black Ice had the best lineup and vocals.
Yes. AC/DC shows are among the loudest in live music. The Power Up production amplifies the issue further with pyrotechnics that add concussive force. Multiple 2024 and 2025 fan accounts describe the volume as physically painful without earplugs, particularly during "Thunderstruck" and "For Those About to Rock." The volume hitting your chest during the cannon fire is not an exaggeration. This is not a technical problem. This is deliberate. AC/DC built their brand on maximum volume and they're not softening it for stadiums.
One show tells you everything you need to know about the AC/DC experience. The setlist doesn't change, the props are identical, the experience is predictable. You'll witness the same ritual twice if you see them again. However, the nostalgia factor and the knowledge that this is likely the final tour make even repeat shows emotionally charged. Veterans who saw Black Ice and attended Power Up describe the second experience as bittersweet, knowing more about Angus and Johnson's age and the realistic finality of the tour.
AC/DC Links
Remembered 8 days ago
Recently remembered
A fan kept this one: AC/DC at Trabrennbahn am Volkspark. The setlist, the seats, and what they want to remember about the night.
Seen AC/DC live? Your shows deserve to be remembered too.
Track your concertsThis guide is based on fan accounts, touring data, and community discussion. Claims we can’t source are left out rather than estimated, and the charts render only where the sample is large enough to trust. It is not sponsored by or affiliated with AC/DC.
Cite this guide
Concerts Remembered, "AC/DC," concertsremembered.app/artists/acdc, updated April 2026.