And did Western Springs Rock City shudder to the 35-year-old force that is AC/DC? You bet your black t-shirt and black jeans it did.
The canons still blast to close the show on For Those About To Rock, We Salute You, while Highway to Hell is still the crowd favourite and draws the heartiest applause, as the world’s greatest blues rockers take us on a trip down memory lane.
All the hits are there, going right back to the first album High Voltage, released on the legendary Sydney label Albert Productions in 1975. That album has always been popular in this country and the punters were grateful when AC/DC delivered the title track, TNT and The Jack.
The show’s still as massive as ever, the biggest and best touring in rock.
This time around there’s a derailed steam train on stage, and the largest inflatable doll on the road, Rosie, makes her appearance as her song Whole Lotta Rosie is belted out. She straddles the train that’s puffing smoke. Even her balloon feet are tapping.
Angus Young is still king. The lead guitarist is on the move all night, can run and play blinding twinkle-fingered solos, go “oi” to the crowd and raise his arm in triumph and respect to his followers.
Singer Brian Johnson had a great time and put everything into it because, after all, he and Angus are the show.
The other geezers, in the rhythm section engine room, are chopping and drilling the stage into the Springs’ clay speedway track, and adding backing vocals on a needs-only basis.
It’s good to see drummer Phil Rudd, bassist Cliff Williams and the greatest of all rhythm rock guitarists Malcolm Young working well in top form.
Rudd looked knackered at the end. He’s bound to have enjoyed hosting his band-mates, who nowa-days live all around the world, at his Tauranga base between New Zealand concerts.
One thing has changed from the old days, though. There are not so many mullets in the crowd, more bald and shaven domes.
Thanks AC/DC for coming around again. We were all Shot Down In Flames and loved it. For those in their 50s, we salute you.
*For the record, at Western Springs AC/DC played: Runaway Train, Back in Black, Let There Be Rock, Black Ice, Big Jack, The Jack, TNT, High Voltage, Shot Down in Flames, Thunderstruck, Dirty Deeds, Whole lotta Rosie, Shook Me All Night Long, Shoot to Thrill, Hell’s Bells, War Machine, Highway to Hell and For Those About to Rock – We Salute You.
