THE ENERGY OF AC/DC PERFORMANCES WORLDWIDE WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON BELGIUM © PHIL 2008-2026

Jun 18, 2024

Münchner Hell - 2nd show in Munich

 
Second show day in München, in absolute perfect weather conditions, especially compared to the shower show a few days earlier.  Before going into the details of the concert, let's mention the AC/DC Dive Bar for a second.  Despite its remote location, this one felt more comfortable.  As to the overall sensation of space in Munich, it was a much bigger place than in Gelsenkirchen.  It's well worth the pilgrimage and some did the trail even twice (any resemblance to actual person or event is purely coincidental, ha!).  The Dive Bars are a fine initiative of the Band and host a series of cool classic AC/DC scenery.  If you go, don't forget to pick up the remastered vinyl versions of High Voltage and T.N.T.. These albums have been recreated with the greatest level of detail from the original Australian releases, including the initial misprinted track order on T.N.T.  Both records, pressed in the Netherlands (in Angus' secret basement?) sound louder and more dynamic than the original ones.

Highlight is the backdrop with "In Rock We Trust" we remember from Rock or Bust, propped with a real SG and Malcolm signature Gretsch for fans to pay a duckwalking tribute to the genious Young brothers.  Another great mural depicting the historical lineup, shows Brian and Angus in a pose they haven't changed for a millimeter in all those years.


The rhythm section works really well, and plays really tight, while visibly having fun.  Result of meticulous preparations and rehearsals.  Another tight phenomenon at the time of the concert was beer supply.  Very difficult to get your hands on a cold reputed Bavarian brew in the Golden circle.  It appeared a generalized issue, after roughly 200.000 Scottish football enthusiasts succeeded the somewhat 120.000 AC/DC fans spread over the two Munich shows.  Today, the traditional Münchner Hell was supplied by AC/DC.



 
This gig was the best I have seen in years, a rollercoaster setlist, with Brian back on vocals and Angus on fire, supported by Stevie (eating away guitar picks - 4 to 5 during Whole Lotta Rosie!!!!), Matt (apologies, it's tough to get you on camera front of stage right) and Chris (happy belated birthday!).  Brian sung his lungs and heart out, less bothered by the in-ear monitor, and improvises chants on High Voltage.   
Angus is visibly more comfortable now the tour is going, fiddling and dancing like only he can, fooling around again with his scarf, and extending solos to the point where Let There Be Rock seems the soundtrack of the full length Godfather trilogy: a regular workout for Angus, a real marathon for the "young" ones Chris, Matt and yeah Stevie is a Young too.  Unparalleled and amazing energy! 


A visibly impressed Belgian delegation in full glory after the show





  
Angus fast as lightning (hence the blur), yet a little too late,
after an enthusiastic DDDC solo - "enough to drive you nuts"

May 22, 2024

Forever YOUNG ! Gelsenkirchen 17 May 2024

 
Last Friday, AC/DC kicked off its European leg for its 2024 PWR/UP world tour.
 
The new touring party set sail for 24 shows in 17 European cities. After Powertrip in the US desert it's now finally time to celebrate the latest opus PWR/UP, kicking it off in Gelsenkirchen Germany.  
 
 
 
It had been 8 years since my last AC/DC show, only to witness that AC/DC keeps rising from the ashes, whatever life throws at them.   Brian Johnson is back in the kitchen, after being immortalized in Belgian blue stone, harder than a rock.  We're missing Phil and for the first time Cliff, enjoying retirement after his brief comeback in the Californian desert.  Yet Angus recruted decent wingmen to pick up the gear and rock once more below the firmament from which his beloved brother Malcolm's approvingly smiles.  Americans Chris Chaney, on bass, and Matt Laug on drums now ensure the stomping backbone with Stevie Young again on rhythm guitar.  Lots of respect for these guys, just like for Chris Slade, Axl, without whom the AC/DC LIVE experience would have been simply over.  Thank you, thank you!  



A real pleasure to meet a reborn Brian tonight.  The hearing aid seems to help him a lot, though it required real time adjustments throughout the evening, yet without derailing Brian's vocal rolling thunder train.  
 
More than once, the crowd could measure Brian's emotions being back, from cheeky interactions with Angus to shouts and fists of pure enjoyment, or simply taking revenge on the feelings of despair he must have faced, knocking them out with a well-minted uppercut.
 
 
The real Monster of Rock tonight?  Mister Angus Young, about time he gets knighted by both the Commonwealth King, the Queen of Holland and William Wallace.  Visibly very concentrated, but determined to raise hell and deliver a state of the art tour start.  A well studied act of mastery, meticulously delivered.  When writing these impressions, and after seeing video footage from the second night, Angus was clearly more relaxed, undone from the initial stress on opening night.  Really promising for the shows to come!  Shake a leg!

 
They're back.  And forever YOUNG.  It's going to be a red hot summer.


Gelsenkirchen Setlist

Usual Suspects 1

Usual Suspects 2