This was my second, and probably last time, going to see AC/DC - not because the show was bad. Only because most these guys are all pushing close to seventy years old and I don't know if they will ever tour again.
If you factor in that Malcolm Young (Rhythm Guitar) has Dementia, Phil Rudd (Original Drummer) has been busted for conspiracy to murder, and that the band usually takes a five year hiatus before going back out - it's highly unlikely that they will be back. I LOVE AC/DC they are easily in my top three bands of all time and they always deliver when the perform.
Opening Band - "Vintage Trouble" http://vintagetrouble.com/
This band featured Ty Taylor on vocals who some will know from his stint on Rockstar INXS. Really awesome vocals and outfits. They came dressed up in "vintage" threads too. Ty Taylor has a very James Brownesque voice and really gave it his all as did the rest of the band. They were happy to be there and really tried hard to get the crowd pumped for AC/DC.
If you factor in that Malcolm Young (Rhythm Guitar) has Dementia, Phil Rudd (Original Drummer) has been busted for conspiracy to murder, and that the band usually takes a five year hiatus before going back out - it's highly unlikely that they will be back. I LOVE AC/DC they are easily in my top three bands of all time and they always deliver when the perform.
Opening Band - "Vintage Trouble" http://vintagetrouble.com/
This band featured Ty Taylor on vocals who some will know from his stint on Rockstar INXS. Really awesome vocals and outfits. They came dressed up in "vintage" threads too. Ty Taylor has a very James Brownesque voice and really gave it his all as did the rest of the band. They were happy to be there and really tried hard to get the crowd pumped for AC/DC.
AC/DC
AC/DC stage "Unplugged"
Set List for AC/DC:
Rock or Bust
Shoot to Thrill
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
Back in Black
Play Ball
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Thunderstruck
High Voltage
Rock 'n' Roll Train
Hells Bells
Baptism by Fire
You Shook Me All Night Long
Sin City
Shot Down in Flames
Have a Drink on Me
T.N.T.
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock - with Angus Young guitar solo
Encore:
Highway to Hell
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
Rock or Bust
Shoot to Thrill
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
Back in Black
Play Ball
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Thunderstruck
High Voltage
Rock 'n' Roll Train
Hells Bells
Baptism by Fire
You Shook Me All Night Long
Sin City
Shot Down in Flames
Have a Drink on Me
T.N.T.
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock - with Angus Young guitar solo
Encore:
Highway to Hell
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
AC/DC really crafted a set list that was a perfect blend for this show. They played just enough of the songs off of "Rock or Bust" and an almost 50/50 split of the Bon Scott era of AC/DC songs with the Brian Johnson era of songs.
Video for "ROck or bust" | |
As I mentioned earlier, I really felt that this would be the last time I would be able to see them due to their age and health. Malcolm Young (Rhythm Guitar) is already retired from the band due to Dementia and Phil Rudd (Original Drummer) has serious legal problems and is under house arrest in New Zealand.
Replacing them were Stevie Young (Guitar) who is Malcolm's cousin and Chris Slade (Drums) who played on AC/DC monstrous hit laden "Thunderstruck" album. They both did a great job and the sound was great. Which brings me to the point that concerned me the most - the sound in BC Place. BC Place is notoriously known for bad sound due to the fabric roof. It was completely re-done a few years ago and looks great. The sound was actually pretty good - not as good as GM Place but that's a given due to the fabric roof.
Replacing them were Stevie Young (Guitar) who is Malcolm's cousin and Chris Slade (Drums) who played on AC/DC monstrous hit laden "Thunderstruck" album. They both did a great job and the sound was great. Which brings me to the point that concerned me the most - the sound in BC Place. BC Place is notoriously known for bad sound due to the fabric roof. It was completely re-done a few years ago and looks great. The sound was actually pretty good - not as good as GM Place but that's a given due to the fabric roof.
Now for my ratings on the show....
The Band:
AC/DC always delivers a solid show and sounds great. However for this show I have a few minor things I thought needed improvement. The first was the fact that they started late. I know that this is common at almost any show but there really is no reason for it. The fans respect the band by showing up, for the most part, on time and thus the band should to.
The second thing was quite predominant - the pause between the songs. It almost seemed like there was something wrong. Every song had at least a 30 second to one minute pause between them which is a real momentum killer. To capture the excitement of the show there should be no pauses between most of the songs and only occasionally pause to greet the audience.
The final thing is very sparse interaction with the crowd. AC/DC has recorded quite a few albums (including Rock or Bust) in Vancouver you would think that would endear them to the city a bit - nope. There were only a couple of times during the show very Brian Johnson (vocals) said anything to the crowd. I think a LOT of bands miss this at their shows. When you go to a show you want to feel like your a part of a special experience and it's always nice when the band personalizes the show to the city they are playing in a bit.
The Crowd:
Great, fun loving crowd. MANY of them bought the $20 made in China devil horns plus most of the tour merchandise sold out. AC/DC must have made a KILLING on all the merchandise. It didn't matter though the crowd was really diverse from grandchildren to kids to youth and middle aged people AC/DC's music has a way of bringing people together from all walks of life.
Audience Interaction & Engagement: C+
Quality and Diversity of Music: A+
Stage Presence of Band A+
Energy from the Crowd: A+
Notable Exceptions from Set List: To Be Fair AC/DC has so many hits I could list a bunch of songs so I'm only going to list the ones I would have loved to hear: Sink the Pink, Touch Too Much, Who Made Who.
Overall Rating for the Show: A
The Band:
AC/DC always delivers a solid show and sounds great. However for this show I have a few minor things I thought needed improvement. The first was the fact that they started late. I know that this is common at almost any show but there really is no reason for it. The fans respect the band by showing up, for the most part, on time and thus the band should to.
The second thing was quite predominant - the pause between the songs. It almost seemed like there was something wrong. Every song had at least a 30 second to one minute pause between them which is a real momentum killer. To capture the excitement of the show there should be no pauses between most of the songs and only occasionally pause to greet the audience.
The final thing is very sparse interaction with the crowd. AC/DC has recorded quite a few albums (including Rock or Bust) in Vancouver you would think that would endear them to the city a bit - nope. There were only a couple of times during the show very Brian Johnson (vocals) said anything to the crowd. I think a LOT of bands miss this at their shows. When you go to a show you want to feel like your a part of a special experience and it's always nice when the band personalizes the show to the city they are playing in a bit.
The Crowd:
Great, fun loving crowd. MANY of them bought the $20 made in China devil horns plus most of the tour merchandise sold out. AC/DC must have made a KILLING on all the merchandise. It didn't matter though the crowd was really diverse from grandchildren to kids to youth and middle aged people AC/DC's music has a way of bringing people together from all walks of life.
Audience Interaction & Engagement: C+
Quality and Diversity of Music: A+
Stage Presence of Band A+
Energy from the Crowd: A+
Notable Exceptions from Set List: To Be Fair AC/DC has so many hits I could list a bunch of songs so I'm only going to list the ones I would have loved to hear: Sink the Pink, Touch Too Much, Who Made Who.
Overall Rating for the Show: A
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