AC/DC today is Brian Johnson and Angus Young. They are the show. The sage rockers still rumble across the stage, amble up the runway and share the spotlight at every turn. They proved it again Saturday night before a sold-out crowd of about 43,000 in their “Power Up” tour stop at Allegiant Stadium.
Johnson, still a physical powerhouse at 78, rings the big, branded bell for “Hells Bells.” He navigated through the more challenging vocal moments (breathing heavily through “Stiff Upper Lip”). Johnson is nobly recovered from hearing problems that sidelined him for 2016’s “Rock or Bust” tour, with Axl Rose leading the band in that series.
Young, the man of a dozen duckwalks, gyrated and kicked through the 2½-hour show. At 71, Young still rocks the iconic schoolboy uniform, though looking like the headmaster these days as the outfit unravels through the performance.
He still dons the devil horns, too, as did thousands of fans who were given the flashing props at the entrance.
Through all this madness, AC/DC still largely owes its musical legacy to a man not present, the late Malcolm Young. We have to recognize Angus’ less-flashy brother, and uncle to current backing singer and rhythm guitarist Stevie Young.
Malcolm Young’s power chords powered this show, this tour and AC/DC’s generations-spanning catalog. Young’s rhythmic, precise playing and collection of chords have been the building blocks of AC/DC’s sound since the band was formed in ’73.
Malcolm Young died in 2017. But the guitar parts he conceived blasted through Allegiant Stadium. His call-to-arms chords offset Angus Young’s famous solos, giving horsepower to “Back in Black,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Shoot to Thrill” and everything else unleashed on this tour.
Those songs were all in Saturday’s set list. A given. Our top six moments from what might be, finally, the band’s final appearance in Vegas:
— “You Shook Me All Night Long”: You must include this song in any AC/DC best-of list. An instant classic from “Back in Black,” which has sold about 6 trillion units. A musician who once hosted a popular open-mic night in Las Vegas once told me that if he sang “You Shook Me” and the crowd did not respond, it was going to be a long night. This crowd devoured it. One of the catchiest rock songs ever.
— “Jailbreak”: The late Bon Scott, who knew how to inhabit a moment, sang the original lyric, “Spotlights, sirens. Rifles firin.’ But he made it out. With a bullet in his back.” Ah, we miss Bon. But Johnson owns that line today. You still feel it.
— “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”: The show opener. Another from the Scott era, the band making a promise you are convinced it can keep. Young skipped to the front of the fury at the start. An inescapable sing-along, setting the scene for the rest of the party. At the end, Johnson addressed the crowd, “We’re gonna do like we did last year! We’re gonna make some rock ’n’ roll, have some fun and have a party! So let’s go!” Nuance is not this band’s forte.
— “Hells Bells”: When the bell comes out, hide behind something solid. It’s the ultimate rock prop, enticing septuagenarians to shout like teenagers.
— “Demon Fire”: The single from the “Power Up” album, showing the band still blazes, in the studio and on tour. Johnson growls, “Born of no family, born of no creed. Raised by a jackal, raised a bad seed.” That album compares well with the band’s best in this no-ballad zone.
— “Highway to Hell”: Where Young pulls on the devil horns, which he wore for the album’s cover shot. “Don’t stop me!” is the rallying cry. Never. We’re not finished with this party until AC/DC is.
TPR fires it up
The Pretty Reckless is a go-to for touring rock legends at Allegiant Stadium. The guitar-driven band is an able table-setter for AC/DC, and previously the Rolling Stones in May 2024 at the stadium. Fierce frontwoman Taylor Momsen, hair and profanity flying, shrieked the songs and her between-song commentary. She also wore thick black eye makeup to enforce her goth rock image, far removed from her role as Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The 32-year-old vocalist said the band still sings “Heaven Knows,” its most recognizable track, every show. They don’t get tired of playing it, and the crowds don’t tire of hearing it.
Cool Hang Alert
The Fremont Street Experience brings back its all-originals, First Friday event this week with Vegas bands Pure Sport, Heroine Honey and Garage Band running from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday, pop-punk outfit Mayday Parade is featured in the Downtown Rocks Series from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Third Street Stage. It’s rocking all week on FSE, no cover; go to vegasexperience.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.