Perth is buzzing with anticipation as rock titans AC/DC make their long-awaited return to the stage tonight. For a dedicated group of global fans, the celebration began with a solemn pilgrimage to honour the band's original frontman, the late, great Bon Scott.
A Pilgrimage to Fremantle Cemetery
On Thursday, a steady stream of fans made their way to Fremantle Cemetery, the final resting place of Bon Scott. Among them were brothers James and Andy McKay, who had travelled all the way from Scotland specifically for the Perth concert. For them, skipping a visit to the iconic singer's grave was unthinkable.
"We appreciate that AC/DC is one of the world's most famous bands and it's only right that we recognise the importance that Bon Scott had in the band's formative years," James McKay explained. "And given that we've travelled all this way we wanted to pay our respects at his grave, to his family, and be there to see the grave itself."
Scott, whose raw voice and charismatic swagger defined AC/DC's early sound, honed his craft in the very pubs and streets of Fremantle, making the location profoundly significant for devotees.
Superfans and Emotional Returns
The McKay brothers are not casual concert-goers. They have seen AC/DC in Scotland, England, Ireland, and the USA in the last 18 months alone. Before heading to Optus Stadium to secure a prime mosh pit spot, James spent the day wandering Fremantle, soaking in the atmosphere of his idol's hometown.
Meanwhile, outside The Ritz Carlton hotel, other fans gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the band. Long-time fan Chris Bonacci, who saw the opening show in Melbourne, was emotional about the Perth performance. "I play AC/DC pretty much every day... It's part of my culture, part of my life," said the 54-year-old, calling meeting the band a "dying wish."
The excitement also spans generations. Brothers Nicholas (16) and Thomas Tullio (19), attending their first ever AC/DC concert, were among those waiting at the hotel. "I've always seen them on YouTube, so to actually see them in person is cool," Nicholas said.
A Legacy That Rocks On
For James McKay, hearing the Bon Scott-era songs live is the pinnacle. "I will never get tired of hearing them. They will live forever," he stated passionately.
Tonight at Optus Stadium, fans will collectively celebrate the monumental career of AC/DC and the enduring legacy of the Perth-born legend whose spirit continues to fuel the band's thunderous sound, 44 years after his final encore. The pilgrimage to Fremantle Cemetery served as a powerful prelude, reminding everyone that for true fans, the music and the memory are forever intertwined.
