AC/DC @ X
Posted on November 24th, 2008 – 1:23 AMBy Jon Bream
It was a very good but not great AC/DC concert. Why didn’t it belong among the most memorable arena shows of 2008 along with Kanye West, Rage Against the Machine and Neil Young?
Because Angus Young wasn’t as wild and crazy as in the past. To be sure, his guitar work was expressive and sometimes explosive, but he didn’t use the long runway extending from the stage enough and he just didn’t get carried away as much as he has in the past — either physically or musically (he could have stretched out more often instead of giving us radio-length versions of songs) .
On the other hand, we got plenty of Brian Johnson, working the runway and his shrill voice to great effect.
The special effects were about as predictable as the set list as the Aussies trotted out the cannons (For Those About to Rock) and giant bell (Hell’s Bells).
The group played five songs from their new CD “Black Ice,” which Stephen King has dubbed album of the year. I’d disagree with Uncle Stevie about that ranking, but here’s the agreeable set list that AC/DC played at the X:
1. Rock n Roll Train 2. Hell Ain’t a bad Place 3. Back in Black 4. Big Jack 5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 6. Thunderstruck 7. Black Ice 8. The Jack 9. Hells Bells 10. Shoot to Thrill 11. War Machine 12. Anything Goes 13. You Shook Me All Night Long 14. TNT 15. Whole Lotta Rosie (we didn’t get the inflatable Rosie that other cities on this tour did) 16. Let There Be Rock encore 17. Highway to Hell 18. For Those About to Rock
What did you think of the concert? Please post your comments here:
18 Responses to "AC/DC @ X"
Inflatable Rosie? We sure did get her. Don’t know how you could have missed her.
Having been an AC/DC fan for 30 years I can definitively say that AC/DC was in prime form last night. Maybe their props (cannons, bells, inflatable Rosie) are predictable, but predictability isn’t always bad, especially when part of that predictability is knowing that when you go to an AC/DC show you will hear their songs performed with the same energy today as 30 years ago.
I had the GREAT pleasure of taking my 11 year old daughter to this show and sharing a true rock-n-roll event with her. Needless to say, now that the show is over she is a dyed in the wool fan and wants AC/DC CDs for Christmas.
Jon, the music critics have been turning up their noses at AC/DC for their entire career, and I would expect nothing less from you. They didn’t even make their first appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone until just last month. You and all the rest of the critics can continue to take cheap shots at the band and expose your true snob selfs. The rest of us will keep on plugging into some the best rock ever produced and enjoying these true rock-n-roll spectacles. I doubt if in 30 years you will still be talking about Kanye and Rage as they don’t have the staying power or the true greatness of AC/DC.
I sometimes differ with Jon Bream about his reviews of a show (usually!) but how could he state a factual error such as “we didn’t get the inflatable Rosie…” She was right there straddling the train bigger than life! Kinda hard to miss.
Bream,
Once again, you prove why you are employed by the Strib. You suck as a critic.
Did you even go to the show?
You sir, are a dildo.
Stick to what you two morons know (rimjob) Shitty rap music, and brother Ali.
How much longer will this rag be around?
yeah, wtf Jon… Rosie was about 60′ tall and riding the giant train in the middle at the top of the drum riser… honestly don’t know how you could have missed that…
Not sure what you expected or if you prefer country and western….I’ve been going to the premier rock concerts for 20 years and this one kicks A…I’m guessing 15K plus would agree. Great mix of tracks, excellent intro and guitar work that melts your skin. Won’t get that from anyone else other than Angus!
Sorry, I was up in the press box writing my review during “Rosie” and missed the inflatable. (You’re asking: Where was Chris? In the restroom, I believe.) Deadline beckons. In the case of the AC/DC concert, it was 10:25. Thanks to you readers for the correction.
Best concert in years. You are a dill hole
Good concert, but the setlist was still the same one it’s been since the start of the tour. A few different tracks, eihter from the new cd (rock n roll dream, maybe?), or some older stuff not done live before would have been nice, considering I spent extra money (about double face value) to get floor seats.
Twis revibwer even at sowh? Inflamable Rosy wases right on trian. Agnes adn Tom Yang rokc hard as botherly duo. Shoot to Thrill rang ears.
Special effects were predictable? I’m sure Jon predicted the train smashing through the screen to open the show.
Dude, if you’re going to review a concert, then watch the whole concert. You’re almost as bad as Maxie showing up to Gopher games for 10 minutes so he can say he was there.
Others have already said it…but didn’t get the Rosie? Geez.
Apparently you also missed “The Jack”…one of their “radio length” versions…
Actually, Jon. I’m a bit surprised you didn’t mention one of the biggest changes they made for this tour: Lowering all the instruments 1/2 to a full step…
No doubt Chris was in the restroom….wide stance and all.
You two clowns are idiots.
hello there i was sitting up in section 209 row 4 great view of stage and vedio screen but if you were two sections over closer to the stage you could not see the screen because of the speakers hanging ha ha any way angus was still in form for being 53
the train was cool inflatable rosie actually was on the train as compared to other cities where she was just lying down better here maybe i ll be back in january for closer lower bowl seats
i dont think these critics are to good at therejob and who really listens to em anyway i seen van halen last yaer and they had the same critics downgrading them to
acdc will always rock they should have played live wire and sin city in the set oh well maybe in january
hey john kanyae west neil young rage against the machine WTF these groups really suck especially kenya westfag
I, too, wish that Angus Young would have taken a stroll down the catwalk more often. It was my best opportunity to get a decent photo of him. He has a tendency to look down, hunching over his Gibson with Gollum-like poses, making it difficult to capture his face. But, when he did make his way onto the runway, look out! That was the best samurai-guitar-slashing-burlesque performance ever! See ya in January, guys!
good concert overall kinda of a rush job though I think angus might have had a hangover or a nic fit.He chews the nicorete to get him through to the encores so he can have a drag.Either way was a hell of a lot better than the Who concert last year !
