Skies hang dark over Accor Stadium where rock dynasty AC/DC awaken the Sydney leg of their Power Up tour.
Large Mirage kick off the evening (21 November) with bone-rattling riffs. It's clear why AC/DC chose them as a support. Next up is Amyl and the Sniffers, who keep things pumped along with face-searing riffs and vocals as Aussie as Aussie can be.
"Thank you for coming to watch us play. We appreciate it!" frontwoman Amy Taylor emotes. "Enjoy the best band in the world, AC f...in' DC!" she screams with her charming smile.
As the lights dim, the crowd roars. The show starts with visuals of a car maxing out, the bass rumbling in your chest. The hood ornament is a little Angus Young with his fist raised.
Image © Sandra Welch
The band kick straight in with 'If You Want Blood (You've Got It)', the drums pounding through your brain as Young struts along the walkway. Brian Johnson's vocals sound strong atop the wall of guitar amps. Young shreds out like a teen in his school uniform, casting silhouettes over the amps.
"We're bringing this sh.t back to Sydney!" Johnson declares with vigour. "This is where this sh.t started. We're gunna have some fun!" The visuals turn black and white for 'Back In Black', Johnson giving all as Young dances around. The crowd scream "hey, hey, hey!".
'Shot Down In Flames' features impressive shredding from Young before the iconic 'Thunderstruck' shakes you in your boots. Young raises his fist in the air at the song's conclusion. Well done sir. "Man that's a joy to listen to," Johnson remarks.
Image © Sandra Welch
The stage floods pink for 'Have A Drink On Me', Johnson smiling out at the crowd as he holds them in his palm. A bell descends from the roof, it's call echoing out for 'Hells Bells', before 'Shot In The Dark' rolls right on through. This train ain't stopping anytime soon.
'Stiff Upper Lip' has the crowd belting out, the stage flooding orange in front of matte guitar visuals. Johnson and Young meet for a nice interplay, both giving their all.
'Shoot To Thrill' sounds delicious, uniting the crowd in claps above their heads. It's powerful. Young then uses his tie to play his guitar, beckoning out for cheers from the crowd.
'Jailbreak' features red and blue lights running across the roof of the stage. Johnson pauses momentarily and the crowd lose their minds, before he launches into the last chorus, Young shredding fiercely.
Image © Sandra Welch
'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' has the crowd screaming "done dirt cheap!" Young nailing a solo that lifts the roof. 'High Voltage' allows a momentary breath before 'Riff Raff' is fast and furious. Johnson unrolls a poster of the late Malcolm Young and kisses it in a touching display.
'You Shook Me All Night Long' is the highpoint of the set, the crowd screaming every word, as the song blends perfectly. 'Whole Lotta Rosie' keeps the mood sky high and you're wondering how you've already flown through 18 songs.
'Let There Be Rock' features a larger wall of amps on the screen, making the song even more epic. Young performs an extended solo that you could listen to all night long, and extended means somewhere around 15 to 20 minutes. It's definitely one of the high points of your life.
Young rises up on a platform as confetti shoots out, before he runs across the stage and the crowd can't get enough. He tops the risers swinging his hips and smiling at the crowd, toying with them before the full band enters for a glorious conclusion to the regular set.
Image © Sandra Welch
The drums kick and "Oi! Oi! Oi!" rings across the stadium from every lip for the first song of the encore, 'T.N.T.'. It's Australian. It's rock and it's rolling straight into the memory bank.
A surprise comes with 'For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)', and sadly one of the greatest shows of your life has come to an end. With more life and energy than bands a quarter of their age, AC/DC still prove exactly why they're the mammoth so many know and love.
