Review: AC/DC

Above: Brian Johnson, 61, the vocal conductor of the steam train known as AC/DC. Photos by Jill Toyoshiba/The Star

The highlight of what was a thoroughy entertaining 100-minute show erupted towards the end, when a Rubenesque two-story woman appeared slowly out of nowhere, straddling the monster steam train that is the symbol of the AC/DC tour. She was the inflated, buxom and barely-clad Rosie, who rocked and tapped her booted foot, in time, to the song "Whole Lotta Rosie." It wasn't pretty or sophisticated. But it sure was fun.

 

Above: Brian Johnson and Angus Young, who revels in being pasty-white.

AC/DC was in town on Wednesday for the first time in a long time -- so long that a lot of the 15,000 or so fans (like me) who packed the Sprint Center were seeing the legendary hard-rock band from Australia for the first time. Anyone in the mood for something more evolved than primal, three-chord blues-based heavy rock was in for a long night. AC/DC doesn't cater to dilettantes. It plays blues for the Golds Gym crowd, disco for strippers.

 

It also blows up stuff and fires off cannons and flashpots.  And it can turn an arena into a roiling sea of fans pumping their fists and singing in unison, like crazded soccer hooligans, to "You Shook Me All Night Long," the band's unofficial theme song and one of several highlights.

 

The sound at the Sprint Center was OK, considering the excessive volume and the kind of music that was being hurled around the place. Several times it was hard to hear the vocals from Brian Johnson, who will turn 62 before the next Halloween season.

 

Another highlight: When Angus Young took his perch on a hydraulic lift that sat at the end of a long, phallic shaped runway that ran deep into the audience on the floor. He was without a shirt at that point but wearing his trademark shorts, white socks and black shoes. The lift raised him above the crowd, where he issued a torrent of cliched rock leads, at times while lying on his back and spinning.

 

The band spent the rest of the night over-indulging relentlessly in fierce, primal rock-blues. After an hour or so, the songs can start to sound the same, until AC/DC rips into something well-known and classic, like "Hell's Bells" or "Back in Black." It's not rocket science: It's just three or four heavy chords, a screaming lead vocalist, a lead guitarist in shorts, the blast of a half-dozen cannons, some flashpots and the occasional 20-foot woman in lingerie doing some bump-and-grind while straddling a giant, smoking steam train. If that doesn't amuse and entertain you, nothing will.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Setlist: Rock 'N' Roll Train; Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be; Back in Black; Big Jack; Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap; Thunderstruck; Black Ice; The Jack; Hell's Bells; Shoot To Thrill; War Machine; Anything Goes; You Shook Me All Night Long; TNT; Whole Lotta Rosie; Let There Be Rock. Encore: Highway to Hell; For Those About To Rock.

Comments

[Geordan]

Well, was it worth the outlandish price these middle-aged robbers, ooops, I meant ROCKERS, charged???

[what up]

thank you Tim, for staying up late, and kicking out this review so quickly,
and it is always fun to see the set list of a show I missed, even if it does not change ..THX:)

[Lisa]

I love AC/DC and so do my kids. Unfortunately, unless i was willing to not pay a bill for a month there was no way we could afford to go to the concert. I think it is sad that only wealthy people or people willing to not pay their mortgage one month can enjoy these events.

[Jake Rains]

Geordan, it was well worth it my man. Have not seen them before and it was definitely one of the best shows I have seen. I would pay 92.50 to see it again...

[Rich C]

$92.50 cheap for a once in a lifetime experience. This may be the last time they ever play in KC. It was well worth it!

[JImmie Ray]

"Worth" is individually relative. To a fan, of which I am and have always been- I own just about every disc they have produced and can repeat the lyrics on songs most of you have never heard- it was well worth it. Fourth time to see them live, and maybe the last, who knows? A great birthday gift from my wife. Thanks Honey!! I need ibuprofen.

[Chris]

Wouldnt you rather give your 92.50 to guys like this who work and rock their asses off and have been doing so for more than 30 years. These are the "lunch pail" guys of rock, not the "suit and tie" Eagles. From the looks of their stage show they certainly are putting alot of that 92.50 back into making sure you are entertained. They deserve it.

[MidwestMom]

This concert was worth EVERY PENNY (and granted...it was a lot of pennies!). I haven't been to a concert in about 14 years (yikes!) and the price really made my heart clench...but it's about the experience and seeing a QUALITY band/show. Um, we're not wealthy and I paid my mortgage on time. We knew we wanted to go and we saved money over a period of time and cut back on other things in the meantime. (P.S. Loved the $1.00 frozen drinks at QT and a nice selection of souvenirs in a wide price range)

I took my son - his first concert at 14 - floor seats - right next to the runway - and AC/DC! Brian, Angus & the boys still got it and they clearly rocked it!

[Greg]

My head is still pounding and my ears have a nice ring going this morning. Great show. They have always been the gold standard for rock concerts and didn't disappoint. The best part was seeing the 40-somethign PTA moms being hauled into first aid before the show even started with a bag to their face. You can't fit 8 months of partying into one night!

[John]

The boys are as good as ever! Awesome concert. It has been 25 years since the last time I saw them in concert and they just keep getting better. It has been great to see these guys embrace the technology available. From the cartoon animation to start the show to the internet to satellite radio. They keep all of us feeling young with nights like this! How about the average age of this crowd....way to go Kansas City!

[Brad]

Tim forgot to mention the number of FAMILIES in the crowd. There were so many kids there! Great show. Great review. Great pics.

[Steve]

Why charge $20 if you can charge $100 and sell-out? Yes, Garth did, but he's a rarity.

[Terry]

Hey Lisa, get a job. Stop crying about not producing enough YOURSELF to support YOURSELF.

[Ed K]

Geez, people, lighten up - even if you can easily afford a hundred bucks for a show, that doesn't mean that anyone should have to pay these prices. It's just abscene.

[Ed K]

Oops - meant "obscene." Sorry, all.

In the meantime: my kid went to "Tim and Eric" last night but got in too late to tell me about it (and went to school too early for me to ask this morning). When will that review be posted, if ever?

[Collette & Jerry]

Me and my best friend saw AC/DC for the first time and as 40 something chicks we ROCKED our asses off!!! Best concert we have ever seen! Those boys still got it after all this time! Thanks for a rockin evening....hurting today! But soooo worth it!

[Brent]

Hey Timmy...you hack...Just 3 or 4 chords and a guy in shorts?Lets hear you play the lead licks to Back in Black.You are and will always be the Milli Vanilli of critics

[Brent]

Timmy timmy...takes himself sooooo seriously....Sooo in control....sooooo smart.....Just ask him......Pu-As-Bi

[Tom]

Ironic the "price/value" question is raised here, where the band is putting on a huge spectacle, a yeoman's effort and the price ain't that bad compared to some old farts who sit on their backsides most of the show...

[Kevin]

Thanks for the great review and photos. I'm from Dallas and holding tickets for tomorrow night and can't wait. This will be my 4th time and they've rocked the house each time. As to the pricing, what other top drawer bands have been through for less than $80-$90 lately. Anyhow, the set list looks set in stone and indentical to other shows on this tour. Kudos to Kansas City, I don't make it up there anymore since my wife from Gardner left me to marry her cousin and move to Arkansas, but two things will always be true. KC rocks and I sure miss my visits to Arthur Bryant's.

[Wet Willie]

Brent --

Chillax, dude.

[Lee S]

Awesome! Yes, it was pricey. but really, this might be the last time I may ever get to see them. My wife always says that all of their stuff sounds the same...yeah, but if you love it, you love ALL of it! Great stage show-Angus still in rare form, Brian Johnson still has the vocals, and the crowd was in to it. A night well spent.

[Marcia]

I think the saying is you get what you pay for. We got exactly what we paid for. All $92.50 and then some. That show was amazing to this die hard fan. Even after seeing them in Chicago 10/30/08 I still couldn't get enough of the magic Angus let out. LET THERE BE ROCK was the highlight for me. I LOVE THESE GUYS! They brought it hard.

[40wnks]

It is very telling that there is no mention of "The Answer". Truly a generic, forgettable band. The lead singer's voice was decent enough as long as he was singing and not talking.
As regards to the cost, $123.10 after handling, convenience, etc. fees + parking. Show ended at 10:48, got to my care at 11:10, left parking garage 11:55. All-in-all, a night well spent and for the most part, quite memorable.
Bill

[KC Keef]

Quotes like this gem from TERRY about the ridiculous ticket price for last night are just sad:

"Hey Lisa, get a job. Stop crying about not producing enough YOURSELF to support YOURSELF."

Look.....concert prices (and I do see my share of shows), have seemingly quadrupled in the past 10 or 15 years. Bands that I saw in their prime for WAAAAY less (AC/DC in 1983 or '84 on the FLICK OF THE SWITCH tour, for example) are now charging more than Broadway shows, and what fans get are OLDER, less energetic bands, playing shorter sets. I have witnessed it many, MANY times.

The worst part is that so many people just seem to accept paying such prices. "It was WORTH it!" Really?? Was it? In this economy, it just seems rude to charge so much for a show, when Garth Brooks, as annoying as he is, proved that you don't have to screw your fans. Again, I LOVE concerts and club shows and have been attending them here since 1979, but it does seem that something has gone completely wrong when a band charges 92 bucks for ALL seats in an arena. I would have paid half that to sit in the cheap seats......

Anyway, Terry probably lives in his parents basement and can afford to pay outrageous ticket prices, but in the real world, it ain't so easy.........I still enjoy AC/DC, but I'm glad I skipped last night's show. 92 bucks? Blasphemy!

[kc red raider]

THIS, is what a rock concert is supposed to be. While I enjoyed the article, it appears the author isn't very knowledeable about the band.

When Angus, goes to the floor, playing an spinning circles....that's classic Angus....a trademark as much as his schoolboy outfits. "At times lying on his back and spinning....", makes it sound so trivial. THIS IS HIS TRADEMARK. He's been doing this since I saw them open for....and kill....Aerosmith back in the 70's.

I would have raided my feable 401k for this concert.

[Mike]

People get over it. If you can't afford to go, don't. Complaining and whining doesn't get you anywhere. Cars are too expensive too, as are houses, clothes. It's the times we are in.

The show was tremendous. I go to a ton of shows, and yes the ticket prices were a bit higher for this one than most, but they had a ton of stuff on that stage that cost them a ton of money. Garth had a stage and some lights, that was all. A much cheaper show to produce. These guys had a freakin train on stage.

So to sum up quit complaining. It's supply and demand. If people wouldn't pay that to see them, they wouldn't charge it.

AC/DC, thanks for coming to KC and rocking our asses off!!!!

[webmocker]

AC/DC delivered an inspired, energetic show, with very good sound, and impressive props and stage design. Having missed seeing them in their (and my) prime, I was still pleased with the performance, and would recommend them to anyone who can reasonably painlessly pay the price.

RE: Pricing
Like it or not, the market said yes to $92 plus TicketBastard fees. When people stop going, the prices will drop, or the tours will end. Until then we get to lumpity-lump it.

[MidwestMom]

What prices haven't gone up in the past 10 to 15 years - geesh - get a grip.

People spend their money on lots of things that aren't 'worth it'...at least to me. Like someone else said...worth is an individually relative term. I know PLENTY of people who piss away their money on what they think is 'worth it' (ie: smokes, latest game systems for the kids, cell phones they can't afford, and $5-$10 lunches/dinners when they could brown bag it, etc)

They rocked it out for a solid hour and 45 minutes nonstop! Don't be a hater because your too tight to spend/budget the cash.

Cheers!

[TrueFan]

Classic ACDC, with a few more tricks up their sleeves than the usual standards from past tours-- the bell for Hells Bells and cannons on For Those About to Rock.

Those of you whining about ticket price should get creative and haggle with the "suppliers" on the sidewalk outside. Ours were about $60ish a piece when it was all said and done. And yes, it's legal...and no, they don't bite.

Rock on!

[gary dean]

Were there ANY empty seats at all ?

[Katie]

I am in AH. AC/DC rocked and entertained their fans. What a life time opportunity to see a "classic".

RE: Pricing
It is a sign of our times! Hey, what about paying pro athletes the millions and millions of dollars? The list goes on and on.

The reality is life is short, so be smart and enjoy every minute.
Thanks AC/DC

[dry]

AWESOME AWESOME great show well worth the price still rocking today

[Tom]

For those of you who don't go to many shows, $92 is cheap in today's concert market. That doesn't make it right, but look at the stage show that AC/DC brought with them. Roadies, Truck Drivers, Electricians, Sound Men, All these cats got eat too.
On the other hand Witness the Fleetwood Show coming up or the last Eagles tour, who started this mess with the $75 Hell Freezes Over tour tickets. Sandstone back in the 90's.
I was in 4th row Center Last Night and the concussion from the Twin Marshall stacks was literally blowing my shirt back from my chest. Now, That's Rock & Roll, Sports Fans !

[aquaman]

Hey Brent - Tim's a critic, get it, he critiques things. Follow your logic down that deadend alley where you slept last night - it doesn't make sense. If you are the Milli Vanilli of anything, then you are NOT doing that thing.
It's tough when what you idolize is called what it is (that's called reality). AC/DC does what it is they do as well as anybody and have done it longer than most - but that doesn't change what it is they do. As usual, Tim was spot on.

[merrie]

Well put Gary! I did enjoy every minute of it! Yes I know it was COSTLY-especially if you got great seats from a broker-but I think that roughly $100(which is what many people say they were paying)is a fair price for what may be our last opportunity to see one of the greatest rock bands of all time right in our own back yard. It was a fist pumping, heart pounding, ears ringing blast from the past which is just what most of us went for! Angus and the boys still ROCK! And my ears are STILL RINGING!

[Jerry]

Hey all,

I saw them up here in Tacoma in November and the price was the same. For those of you complaining about prices, I did a little research and found that the intro (video & train crashing through) cost 6.2 million bucks. It was also produced by some of the folks who did the Olympic opening ceremonies in China. So yea, tickets are a lot of dough, but these guys don't just pocket it, but put it back out there for all of us to enjoy.

AC/DC - one of if not the greatest hard rock band of all!

[Tom]

Since we are discussing ticket prices why do so many yo-yo's feel compelled to spend half the night walking over me to go to back & forth to the Beer Line. Seems to me, if you spent a hundred bucks a chair to see a show, you would want to see the Whole show. They make a thing called Bars for drinking and there are a ton of them right outside the Sprint Center. Next time you Beer Line Boys decide to go out for an evening Please do it there and not in my row/section.

[Kilby]

Mike says:

"So to sum up quit complaining. It's supply and demand. If people wouldn't pay that to see them, they wouldn't charge it. "

Yep, there truly IS a sucker born every minute!

[Jerry]

Yep, same up here in Washington. Tons of people running to get beers who were so sloshed by the time Angus did his striptease during The Jack (5 or so songs in?), they weren't going to remember the show anyway. What a waste!

[For Reals]

"What prices haven't gone up in the past 10 to 15 years - geesh - get a grip."

Grocery prices, gas prices, utility prices,etc. have all gone up, sure. But not at the extreme rate concert tickets have. You completely miss the point, 'Midwest Mom.' Again, all the outright acceptance of bands robbing you blind is sad. They could charge you half the ticket price and still make a killing and that's just a fact.

I still go to concerts, but have given up on seeing bands again who I saw in their prime, as my memory of seeing such a band in their prime at a reasonable rate (for the times) just works better for me. All those who flat-out accept these prices have caused this ugly greed amongst artists. Thanks alot!!

[country jesus]

Mr. Finn congrats on making it to your first AC/DC show and the “AC/DC doesn't cater to dilettantes. It plays blues for the Gold’s Gym crowd, disco for strippers.” is probably one of the funniest things you’ve written and true. This was the third time I’ve seen these guys – unfortunately I missed the early Angus years but saw the ’81-’82 version For Those About to Rock tour plus the 2000 tour. This was the better of the three shows. My only complaints were the length of the show – they could have done a full two hours and couple of more Bon era songs. And also, as I said before, the ticketless seating is a fiasco and is whittling away my appetite for forking over $110 for these large production shows. I see at least 100 shows a year, and rarely are the best ones in these large venues. I’d like to see Fleetwood Mac but not for $170!!! Nevertheless, you never know if this will be the last chance to see AC/DC. I sat by the soundboard and would have to day the sound was the best I’ve experienced at Sprint thus far; however, the view wasn’t the best. I too noticed the large amounts of kids and parents…a far cry from the Angus ass baring, dope smoking, drunken rowdiness of the ‘80’s concerts…times have changed.

Word to Tom - Sorry if you don’t like people drinking beer at an AC/DC concert. I’m pretty sure alcohol and AC/DC go hand in hand. Next time attend the opera.
Here are some statistics from the play list: Number of songs with the words:
Hell = 3
Rock = 3
Black = 2
Jack = 2
Words evoking some kind of violence = 5 or 6 (depending how you count; thunder, TNT, shoot, war, dirty deeds.

And now for some more disco for strippers.

[Mike]

Get over it Kilby. If it's not supply and demand why did this show sell out even at these "crazy prices"?

I might be a sucker, but I got my ass rocked off, and you know what I would have paid more to see it than I did. Why? Because I can. If a 125 rock show isn't for you, then don't go. Get a life.

[Rocker]

I've been attending rock concerts and reading Tims reviews since the early 80's and he's made it quite clear that he does not like rock music. The only time I've heard him say anything good about a rock concert was for Tesla in '89. Otherwise it's just the same ol' shitty comments. He needs to stick with Britney Spears and Celine Dion and leave the rock concerts to someone who actually likes rock music.

[robert moore]

great show. i've seen them on every tour since highway to hell and they can still bring it. i don't do arena shows anymore so the ticket price was equal to taking a date to dinner and a movie. and this was a guaranteed happy ending. i thought the sound was really good. the crowd was jovial and mostly asshole-free.

kc keef..."saw them in their prime ala Flick of The Switch"? Probably their worst recording.

[Bubba]

Glad everyone had a great time at AC/DC, I went mostly because this MIGHT be the last time they tour they states. $92. I, personally would have felt better had tix been - say $50-$60. To anyone who missed the gig, go to You Tube and scroll around for the fan videos - especially those taken at the recent St. Louis concert and their concert late last year in Boston. WHAT a WAY to start '09! That balloon lady for "Whole Lotta Rosie" was hilarious! Missed hearing "Sin City" - but that's okay. Wish they'd return to Sprint in maybe the next year.

[Ivy]

Hey this show was a bargain.
This was my 11th show at the Sprint Center. The majority of these show the ticket price was $150.00 plus the $20.00 ticketmaster fees. Hey if we were in LA there would have been no way to get in to see Elton John as they were paying about $1100. KC is a great rockin' town.
I love the new arena and AC/DC was awesome last night! Thanks for coming one last time guys.

[NEW]

"Hey Timmy...you hack...Just 3 or 4 chords and a guy in shorts?Lets hear you play the lead licks to Back in Black"

Actaully, the lead licks on Back in Black are not exactly rocket science either. Unless of course you are some no talent ass clown which Brent seems to be saying that he is.

[MidwestMom]

"Grocery prices, gas prices, utility prices,etc. have all gone up, sure. But not at the extreme rate concert tickets have. You completely miss the point, 'Midwest Mom.'"

Um, I've missed nothing...have you checked the price to go to a football game, Nascar or even a movie?? Suggesting that we are causing some ugly greed in the industry is crazy. You're probably the same type who sends out the 'boycott buying gas today...let's send a message' emails.

Don't be sad - I was not robbed blind. I happily cracked open wallet for this one...and would/will do so again in a heartbeat.

Entertainment doesn't come cheap (ie: large crew, the planning behind the machine, marketing, insurance, etc.) and unlike other people I understand the cost behind putting on a show like this and making a PROFIT. Sure they are making bank - so what - it's their JOB - it's a BUSINESS. Who are you to say what their margin should be?

A concert is not a necessity of life. If you can't afford it or don't like the cost - then don't go. For example: I don't like the price of a Lexus, so I bought a Toyota. Again, if you don't like the price of an AC/DC ticket - go see someone else. Get over it...move on. You're entitled to your opinion.

P.S. We also got a tshirt, poster, bandana and a $1.00 (GASP) frozen treat at QT (even though they could have charged me $.50 and still made money!)& a $4.00 bottle of water!

[NEW]

How many concerts of this caliber do you go to each year, Midwest Mom. Just curious. My guess is you don't go to very many. For those of us who are serious concert goers, these prices take a good chunk of one's disposable income. But like you said, it's a matter of choice.

Since you sound like you are familar with the underlying costs of major shows, how much does it cost to put on a show like this which grosses about $2M to $3M when all is said and done. I used to know but I have been out of the promotion business for quite some time.