The ground shook and the air crackled with raw power on Thursday night as rock titans AC/DC made a triumphant return to Perth, delivering a blistering performance that proved their legendary status is untouchable. For the first time in ten years and five days, the iconic band took to the stage at Optus Stadium, instantly erasing the decade-long wait with the first explosive riff.
A Long-Awaited Homecoming for WA's Rock Legends
Lead singer Brian Johnson captured the mood of the night perfectly, roaring to the ecstatic crowd: "Perth, where the f... have you been for the last 10 years?" The sentiment was mutual, as generations of fans—from original devotees in vintage tour shirts to newcomers wearing fresh devil horns—surged to their feet before guitarist Angus Young even began his first iconic duckwalk.
This was more than just a concert; it was a profound homecoming for a band deeply woven into Western Australia's cultural fabric. The spirit of late frontman Bon Scott, who honed his craft in Fremantle's pubs and music halls, loomed large over the event. Before the show, dedicated fans made pilgrimages to Fremantle Cemetery to pay respects at Scott's grave, honouring the "hellraiser and lad-about-town" whose voice defined AC/DC's early years.
Fans From Across the Globe Gather for Historic Show
The concert drew devotees from across the world, united by a shared passion for the band's timeless anthems. James McKay and his brother Andy flew from Scotland specifically for the Perth show. "We have seen them in Scotland, England, Ireland, and the USA in the last 18 months," James explained, "so we didn't want to miss out on the chance of seeing them in Australia as well." For them, visiting Bon Scott's grave was an essential part of the pilgrimage.
Local fan Chris Bonacci, who also attended the Melbourne tour opener, described AC/DC as the soundtrack to his life. "We grew up with it. We partied with it, we dated girls, we played footy listening to AC/DC. It's part of my culture, part of my life," he said, thrilled to see younger generations embracing the music. His sentiment was echoed by 13-year-old aspiring musician Ace Houston, who said the band's music made him feel "empowered."
A Thunderous Setlist Spanning Decades
The band launched the ferocious two-hour set with the Bon Scott-era classic "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" from 1979, immediately sending the stadium into a frenzy. Brian Johnson silenced any doubters about his vocal prowess with a powerhouse rendition of "Back In Black," while Angus Young, in his trademark school uniform, delivered non-stop energy, duckwalking across the massive stage.
While touring in support of their 2020 album "Power Up," the setlist was a career-spanning juggernaut of classics. Only two new tracks, "Demon Fire" and "Shot In The Dark," were featured, fitting seamlessly alongside monumental anthems like "Thunderstruck" and "Hells Bells." The night was opened by two bands deeply influenced by AC/DC: Perth's own Southern River Band and Melbourne punk rockers Amyl & The Sniffers, who proved rock 'n' roll is alive and kicking.
The Power Up tour has drawn colossal crowds across Australia, with Optus Stadium expecting more than 95,000 fans across its two Perth shows. As the final chords echoed into the night, one question remained for the exhausted but elated crowd: with just one Perth show left on Monday, how long will it be before AC/DC returns to WA?
