AC/DC Make Victorious Return With First Live Show in Seven Years

AC/DC took to the stage for the first time in seven years on Saturday night of the Power Trip festival.

It was the first time lead vocalist Brian Johnson performed live with the group since September 2016 in Philadelphia, following a 79-date Rock or Bust world tour. The ill-fated trek required the services of Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose for the final 22 stops after Johnson bowed out with hearing loss issues.

Saturday’s lineup also saw Matt Laug step in for drummer Phil Rudd, while longtime bassist Cliff Williams came out of retirement with Angus and Stevie Young on guitar.

AC/DC played a 24-song set and opened for the first time with “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It),” according to Spin. The performance also packed hits “Back in Black,” “Thunderstruck,” “Have a Drink on Me,” “Highway to Hell,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

The hard-rock heroes also rolled out live debuts of “Demon Fire” and “Shot in the Dark” from their 2020 album, Power Up.

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Last year, Johnson told Rolling Stone he didn’t know if AC/DC would perform again. “I would love to,” he said. “It’s as simple as that. I think everybody would. There’s a groundswell of people just asking. But I hate talking about the future, because, fuck, we were ready two years ago, and the pandemic came, and it screwed everything up. So I’m terrified to say what could happen and what couldn’t.”

Power Trip also saw Judas Priest reunite with guitarist Glenn Tipton, who retired in 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease. The band filled in for former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who was scheduled to headline at the festival, but withdrew due to ongoing health issues.

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