Toronto: no concert? AC/DC Still Popped Up!

Two Belgian friends with AC/DC

Everything had been set and planned for Toronto to be our final tour stop. Since attending the East Rutherford and Philadelphia shows was impossible for us, we were all the more fired up to travel to Canada and catch our last shows in Montreal and Toronto before flying home and plunging into complete post-tour depression and the dark, bottomless depths of oblivion.

Rogers Stadium's dislocated bleacher structure after a "100-year storm"

A September 2 storm, less than 2 weeks before the scheduled show, decided for a different script.  In a way it's a miracle this cardhouse structure didn't cause any casualties.  Oasis fans dancing the Poznan on the stucture in 2025 already reported thrills and chills as the structure moved dangerously beneath their stomping feet.  Don't look back in anger, luckily no one got injured or worse.  

That said and the damage done, there was just no way this place could have been made ready in time to safely welcome 50.000 concert goers.  Everyone was waiting for an official statement.  The festival grounds were in lockdown, for the city and site operator Live Nation to assess the damage, while band and crew moved mountains, looking inconclusive for an alternative location.  

Since our travel from Montreal to Toronto had already been booked, we decided to make the journey anyway. We hoped that The Pop-Up Store, unaffected by the events, might offer us some comfort and solace, as well as a chance to find support and solidarity among fellow unlucky friends and fans.

The Pop Up Store is a merchandising adventure that had started as a traveling trailer, selling AC/DC merch over the counter like lukewarm hotdogs.  That experience gradually unfolded and improved with the addition of great props like Angus' and Malcom's guitars, exclusives like the much appreciated Australian High Voltage and T.N.T. reissued records (still waiting for the DDDC, LTBR and HTH ones - hint), up to a real stage used canon and Angus outfit!

  Roundhouse Park Toronto: a walk down AC/DC's touring memory lane.

This was definitely the most lovely Pop Up location sourced! The Roundhouse Park is a preserved 1929 locomotive roundhouse for train maintenance and parking.  A rotating railway bridge allows locomotives to roll in and out.  Nowadays it houses the Railway Museum and the Steam Whistle Brewery.  Outside, we are greeted with all sorts of locomotives, one of which instantly reminded us of the Rock 'n Roll Train that crashed the Black Ice Tour as a huge stage prop.  Right next to it, a crane, similar to the Ballbreaker Tour stage props.  

Smokin’ rings goin’ ’round and ’round - circle cueue at the Roundhouse Pop Up

Once inside, rockers and rollers seemed to have gotten around the idea of not seeing AC/DC in Toronto.  Many had found their alternative afternoon filling program, ranging from visiting Niagra Falls, where Lake Ontario kisses (the desserted) Lake America, to ascending the famous CN Tower landmark.  Some decided to go and crash Toronto International Film Festival afterparties.  Wait a second, ... no that was Matt and Chris.  

 Stage used canon and Shannen the Canon

We saw a couple walking their tiny doggy, a bunch of Angus lookalilkes and 2 lovely ladies that had made their own T-shirts, as they traded the AC/DC show for a Blue Jays baseball game, just across the street of Roundhouse Park. 

2 friends went to the Blue Jays game instead - popping by the Pop-Up store

 

The atmosphere inside was good, but something started to sink in.  I felt a soar itch in my stomach, slowly turning into a raw and intese ache.  Something stepped on my liver, and it sure wasn't one or two of these famous New England IPA's.  With all the travels and the excitement of yet another city explored, being surrounded by friends, on the soundtrack of AC/DC's back catalogue, I had almost forgotten as the realisation slowly washed over me: it's supposed to be show night.  But there won't be any.  This is it.  And it hit my systems.

 

This soar feeling was felt by most of the band, especially by Angus.  Motivated by his credo to never disappoint the fans, he had offered so many ideas to make it happen, only to realise that sometimes the shit is bigger than you can handle and heaps frustrating, as stuff is beyond your control.  He decided to give back and prepared for a last minute suprise.  

 

 
The tension mounts.  4 empty chairs soon to be seated by RnR royalty.

 

As soon as we saw tables cleared and chairs being put, we knew something was cooking.  I think this momentum built up naturally, I think all of us were secretly wishing something would happen, especially since we knew the band was in town.  Not sure what, when and who.  A visit to the pop-up store seemed uncertain at first, especially given that Angus Young had already experienced the first US pop-up location during Power Trip in 2023. From the YouTube footage, that visit appeared chaotic and poorly secured.  Having already been through that once, he may have been reluctant to risk a repeat of the same experience.  Sure things would be better organised today.  Pop Up Store it was.  By the end of the afternoon Chris Chaney, Matt Laug, Stevie and Angus Young walked into the venue under loud applause.  This was the right thing to do.  Quickly a line built up and excitement grew.  Some in complete unbelief: they were about to meet their idols!  

 

 

AC/DC leaving the Pop Up in style.  Thank you!

 

If you hadn't already bought the Toronto cancelled show tour poster, this was your moment.  Those who ran out of cash simply presented their baby for a signature of the four heros.  At least that was what AI-ran online media were quickly copying off eachother as the headline appeared very clickable ("Angus signs baby").  I can offer my personal perspective, a point of view from a very slow, but sure medium, written by hand haha.  I confirm the couple are super AC/DC fans from Europe who travel the world to see the band.  Their baby was named after one of the band members, who unfortunately had other plans that night.  The kiddo simply had its first Kutte (* definition on the bottom of this article) signed!  Not a blueprint for a tattoo, but a great idea by their parents!   Lots of kids were present, and they were given special attention by the band.  A true generational mash-up, spilling moments of joy for young and old.  They spent a few hours, patiently greeting and signing away for a long long line of fans.  Though the weather events leading to the cancellation were clearly beyond their control, it was the right thing to do.  Popping up at that pop-up store.

 

 

The baby signing incident - source of confusion and laughter

 

* Kutte - a definition

A Kutte (plural: Kutten) is a German term for a denim or leather vest, usually sleeveless, covered with patches representing a heavy metal fan’s favourite bands, albums and concerts. Often called a battle vest or battle jacket in English, it is a highly personal garment that expresses the wearer’s musical taste, identity and belonging to the metal community.

The patches are typically sewn on by hand, with a large backpatch featuring a favourite band or album, surrounded by smaller band logos, tour patches and other memorabilia. Studs, pins, chains and autographs may also be added. Over time, the Kutte becomes a personal record of the fan’s musical journey and experiences.

The tradition grew out of biker culture and became firmly established in the heavy metal scene during the 1970s and 1980s. In Germany, the term Kutte is particularly well established among metal fans.

In short: A Kutte is more than a vest; it is a wearable declaration of musical allegiance, often built up and treasured over many years.