Review: AC/DC

 

Photos by Jill Toyoshiba/The Star

When a concert gets postponed, it's typically a nuisance at least, bad news at worst. But when AC/DC postponed its late-October show at Sprint Center to mid-April, it turned out to be a small blessing, at least for anyone who also went to its Sprint Center show in January 2009.

That six-month interval gave lead singer Brian Johnson time to recover from what was ailing him, and it also put more time between both shows, which made Sunday night's concert feel more like a fresh spectacle than a recent re-run.

This show was pretty much like the last one. Once again, a crowd of about 12,000 was treated to two hours of thunderous, high-speed and nonstop locomotion -- a live tribute to a band that is as powerful as it is primitive. For those catching this Black Ice Tour for the first time, the fleet of tractor-trailers parked south of the arena -- 10 or more -- boldly implied what lay ahead: a rock extravaganza filled with plenty of visuals, including a cannon fire and a gargantuan steam engine that was eventually straddled by an enormous inflated woman.

The setlist was one long hurricane of hard-rock anthems, some of them enduring classics, including"Back in Black," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Hell's Bells," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "TNT" and "Highway To Hell."

Johnson's voice may have shed some of its range over the past 15 months, but it's also a wonder there's anything left of it. Of the 120 or so minutes he was on stage, he must of been singing during 90 of them. He seemed more animated this show, slapping hands with fans along the runway, scooping up the many bras tossed his way and acting like the band's fist-pumping cheerleader all night.

But the main attraction, again, was guitarist Angus Young, who was up to his usual antics: a strip-tease down to his AC/DC boxers; and fusillades of guitar leads, usually while skipping or goose-stepping across stage or down the long runway and back. During "Let There Be Rock," he performed on a platform that was raised a few stories, like a cherry-picker.

That song ended the formal set and was the climax to a five-song barrage that was the evening's biggest and longest highlight. It started with "High Voltage," included "You Shook Me All Night Long" and it introduced Rosie, the barely-clad and very rotund inflatable woman who, during "Whole Lotta Rosie," rocked and rode the steam engine that loomed behind the band. Anyone who has seen this tour knew it was coming. But it was still a hellacious blast. 

Before that set was over, the cannons fired and so did confetti guns and the place erupted into happy mayhem. They'd come back for two more, including the party-time anthem "Highway To Hell," which promises: "No one's gonna slow me down." 

There's talk that this could be AC/DC's final big tour. But Sunday night there were no signs that anyone in the band might need anything more remedial than some rest now and then.

Setlist: Rock N' Roll Train; Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be; Back In Black; Big Jack; Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap; Shot Down In Flames; Thunderstruck; Black Ice; The Jack; Hell's Bells; Shoot To Thrill; War Machine; High Voltage; You Shook Me All Night Long; TNT; Whole Lotta Rosie; Let There Be Rock. Encore: Highway To Hell; For Those About To Rock (We Salute You).

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[Clint]

It was good...seemeed like the set list was pretty much the same as last time with a few more new songs added.

And what was up with the opening act? Does the band not want to share any revenue with another band?

[tim finn]

they're from jeff city. ... i'm guessing since it was a make-up show they hired regional bands to fill in. just a guess.

[pellboy]

Cool...Shot Down In Flames.

[Nikki]

A friend and I have always wanted to see them for about 30 years now. I have to say we were not disappointed one damn bit! The set was great along with the surprise of Rose riding the train! Thought those guys kicked it last night! At one point I thought Angus’s guitar was smoking?

[Gary Dean]

Good show only 2nd time seeing the band, first time was For Those About to Rock tour at Kemper

Got a good Audio boot of this show

[bob]

Roger Waters at the Sprint Center on 10/30/10.

[Tim Finn]

tks bob. just saw that myself.

[Bubba]

KANSAS CITY REALLY DOES ROCK!! I know it's tough to believe that a lot of times, but it's true! The AC/DC concert on Sunday night was a 'different' show than what we saw in January, 2009. First off, they added two songs to the set list "Shot Down In Flames" and "High Voltage" - seemed to have played a little bit longer - closer to the two hour mark. Plus their routine(s) on a couple of certain songs were a bit different. SO glad I went. AC/DC is one show I will make - come 'hail or high water'. GUYS, please don't disband for good.

TECHNICALLY speaking, the fact their October, 2009 show being postponed is in a way a blessing - when we look back at the events in 2009 and 2010, we CAN say that Kansas City got ANGUS YOUNG & crew twice in 2009 and in 2010. BRIAN JOHNSON appeared to be in top form. God bless you Sprint Center!!

[natas]

...and he said
"LET THERE BE ROCK,
and there was, and he
saw that it was good.

[tim]

I have seen the boys six times on this current tour. When they said they were coming back to Louisville KY I said hell yea I'll be there. Keep rocking AC/DC and I will be there.

Tim
Pulaski Tennessee

[Jerry Mabem]

You remember the days when AC DC first broke onto the scene. They were one of the most penultimate rock bands of the 80's, 90's and today.

http://www.eticketcentral.com/AC/DC

[Big Bopper]

This concert was further proof that AC/DC is the premier hard rock band ever and certainly one of the best overall Rock and Roll bands ever.
I went to the concert with a bit of apprehention about the band's heavy touring schedule possibly having worn them down to just "Phoning it in". Just the opposite happened. They seemed even more energized then earlier concerts.
Brian and Angus should get medals for sheer physical endurance.

A neat subplot was the many young tweener BOYS rocking and rolling side by side with their dads. Tweener girls can cry and scream for sacarin acts like the Jonas Bothers etc. but it was nice to see this male bonding to the very masculine personna of the Thunder from Down Under.
Bombastic, fantastic!!!

[Green]

Tim I thought you were headed to the Deer Tick show?

[Bubba]

To me, catching AC/DC twice in a year-and-a-half was a REAL privilege - sort of like seeing ZEPPELIN, or maybe SABBATH with - not so much as OZZY but DIO or even maybe like seeing PAUL MCCARTNEY playing loads of BEATLES songs and very little solo material.

IN OTHER WORDS, I'm glad I went.

[Bust It]

Good review, I was at the Vegas show just prior to this and the reviews from there are blah. Sounds as though the Lady's pulled their junk out for the boys during the jack since Brian was picking up bras, no such luck in Veaga, the way the Lady's were dresed their junk was falling out any way but beame camra shy when on the big screen. Kick ass show
AC/DC for life R.I.P. Bon

[KCrox]

Always good to hear Vegas checking in.

Bust it,
Yessiree when we want to, and are properly motor-vated, KC ROCKS BETTER THAN ANYWHERE, and the bands know it, and can feel it.

ps
KC SINGS BEST out of any place I have EVER attended a concert.

[Gary Dean]

Show is posted on Dimeadozen.org
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=299160

[buy cialis]

It is a fantastic band, all of their albums are gold, their energy at the stage is awesome, excellent review.