Fan Reviews - Week 15, Europe

• Lutz
  Die Hütte voll, der Sound sehr gut, auch schon bei der Vorband. ...und AC/DC wie immer gut drauf......Perfekt..... in dieser Form bleiben sie auch weiter die Nummer eins in der Welt.....in der Setliste eine Veränderung sonst das selbe Programm leider nicht "Hold Me Back" aber was soll`s. Bis zum Sommer...
  

• Stephen Cuckson
  this was the 14th time id seen acdc and they sounded as good as ever
  the songs sounded fresh and the band really looked up for it from you shook me all night long to for those about to rock the band rocked the entire arena hearing bad boy boogie again was the highlight of the night and get it hot was great to hearing the opening chords of whole lotta rosie still sends shivers down my spine
  us fans down the front left sweat soaked and drained from seeing the best rock band in the world
  shame it was only one night though i hope they come back soon whatever you do dont miss this band they still rock harder than anyone else

• Glenn
  These boys have still got what it takes. An excellent set with three tracks from Highway to Hell - Shot Down, Get it hot and Highway itself - probably the best track of the night. All the classics sound as good as ever -Rosie, Let There, Thunderstruck, TNT, Dirty Deeds, The Jack, Hells Bells, Back in Black. Bad Boy Boogie was the best I’ve ever heard it. The two new tracks Stiff Upper Lip and Safe in New York City easily blended in with the old favourites. A great night but I was a little concerned for Brian when he started swinging from the bell rope.

• Tim Stevenson
  It's been 18 hours and 35 minutes and MY EARS ARE STILL RINGING!!! Wow!! What a heavy as a cannon ball stormer of a hard (as a rock) concert that was!
  Has it really been 4 years? Well I tell ya as soon as they hit the stage it was PARTY TIME again in the NEC! Having seen them every time they've visited these shores since 1982, the boys performed to their usual 110% best. The energy levels and sheer camaradery shown by Brian reminded me of Donington 1984! (He nearly lost it when some lucky sod managed to get up on stage for TNT !! OI! OI! oof! say hello to "security" dude.) All the favourites were played, Angus nails those solos like a good 'un. Needless to say that's another soon-to-be-water-logged Gibson SG.
  The "cat walk" is a brilliant addition to the set, allowing plenty more standing room, all the way back to the sound desk so the atmosphere was heaving down there! (Any one remember Love/Hate at the Bristol BierKeller 1990?....well multiply that by TEN!!!!)
  The Cannons were louder, the video clips get ruder, the crowd sings better, (does that still knock Brian out that we do all of Rosie or what??!!) the inflatables get bouncier!
  Highlight of the set? Well it was good to hear Bad Boy Boogie again but it has to be Get It Hot!!! OUTSTANDING! Guys this is what Rock is all about!! See you in 2002 this time? Don't leave another 4 years!!

• Conail
  The best thing about an AC/DC concert is that you know exactly what you are going to get. Rock 'n roll in its most purest form. There are no pretentions with this band and that's the way it's always been and the way AC/DC fans like it. The moment the lights went down and five shawdowy figures took to the stage was electrifying. Angus appeared at the front of the stage, took his cap off and bowed graciously to the adoring faithful before striking the classic chords to You Shook Me All Night Long. Three minutes later Stiff Upper Lip tore through the packed arena followed by Shot Down In Flames. The set list was tremendous and there can be few complaints.
  What impressed me most about this gig was the stage presence of Brian Johnson (Bon would be proud). He barely stopped all night and took a lot of pressure from Angus who still works tirelessly. It was great to hear Get It Hot and Safe In New York City (the best track from SUL) which I believe didn't happen in the States.
  Other memorable moments were Let There Be Rock, Bad Boy Boogie, Rosie and of course FTATR. I'm off to see them in Manchester next and I can't wait. Let's hope there's a summer show in 2001!

• Andi
  so the wait was over, was it worth it ? yes and no.
  we all love em to bits that's without question, a lot of us may try and catch at least a couple of the shows as well such is our love. but sometimes you've gotta put in some critiscism as well as praise and the praise has been given already, the band were in fine form, the sound was good and loud, etc etc
  But, and its a big but. after about 18 gigs since '84 i'm getting well fed up with hearing the same old set list with a few new one's thrown in and a few off the last album took out. the old 'give em what they want' argument has merit of course but what diehard wouldn't rather have say 'riff raff' instead of 'hard as a rock', 'have a drink on me' instead of 'shoot to thrill', 'its a long way to the top' instead of ... whatever. just once even, not at every gig, but just some flicker of a change.
  I'm not saying these songs are bad of course, far from it but when you know exactly whats coming next it does kinda spoil some of the fun. would it be too much to ask for an occasional treat ?
  I dunno, I enjoyed it immensely anyway and will be in glasgow this saturday to see em again, maybe just maybe ill get my wish and as the lights dim we'll get a low bass plod. a few slow chords and we'll be off ... "if you're looking for trouble"

• Dave
  What a stunning show!!! From start to finish AC/DC were excellent. I've seen them a few times now, starting in 1982, and they just get better & better!!
  The stage set was fantastic, brilliant effects and lighting. The sound was superb - very loud but crystal clear.
  The set list itself was excellent - all the old classics with a couple of new tracks thrown in for good measure.
  My only complaint was that the night had to end - what a fantastic performance from the best live band in the world. Lets hope its not another 4 years before they come round again!!

  Set List:
  1. You Shook Me All Night Long
  2. Stiff Upper Lip
  3. Shot Down In Flames
  4. Thunderstruck
  5. Hell Aint A Bad Place To Be
  6. Hard As A Rock
  7. Shoot To Thrill
  8. Rock N Roll Aint Noise Pollution
  9. Safe In New York City
  10. Bad Boy Boogie
  11. Hells Bells
  12. Get It Hot
  13. The Jack
  14. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
  15. Back In Black
  16. Highway To Hell
  17. Whole Lotta Rosie
  18. Let There Be Rock
  --------------------------
  19. T.N.T
  20. For Those About To Rock

• Dave J
  AC/DC never fail to amaze ! This was the eighth time that I have seen them in twenty years and they just seem to get better and better. I have seen many bands over the years but nobody quite does it like AC/DC !!!!!!
  Once again, full of surprises, most notably I felt that Brian's stage presence was the equal of Angus on this occasion. I won't go into the set (other than to say it was two hours full of rock classics) as many of us have already done so. All I would say is that AC/DC have and continue to give me enormous pleasure. Don't leave it four years till the next tour lads please. I Salute You !!!!

• Guillaume, from France
  What is great when you go to see an AC/DC concert is that you exactly get what you expect. It's like seeing some old friends you haven't seen for a long while, but who you really get on well with. Last night in Birmingham, it was how I fell like. The set list was quite classic, but all the songs played actually gave me a thrill, and I couldn't stop rocking from the beginning to the end. Rock 'n' Roll is definitEly no noise pollution...
  The boys, despite what some people tend to think, still masterize the set. Malcolm and Cliff, as usual, were quite static, but it didn't really matter, as their rHythmic work was faultless and powerful. Phil's drums sounded like a real metronome, without any useless effect and as regular as a Swiss watch. Angus, though he's 45, still act like a naughty little schoolboy having an epileptic fit. He could have done the whole show by just himself, but Brian was here to help him. Oh my God, the way Brian sang ! I personaly think HE was the man of the show ! His voice was awesome ! And the way he played with the audience was so funny too, shaking hands and making signs to everybody as if we were his 10,000 dearest friends ! The way he moved and made faces was wonderful and, even more than on the Ballbreaker tour, he managed to make Bon's songs his !
  As for the set-list, I may make a few mistakes, but I think it was something like that :
  1) You Shook Me All Night Long : they definitely shook us ! This may look like a weak opener, but at least it permitted to warm up the audience.
  2) Stiff Upper Lip : although it's a new song, it's already a classic. Everybody sang it and shook his head on it.
  3) Shot Down in Flames : One of my favourite live songs. The whole crowd echoed as one on the intro riff
  4) Thunderstruck : the rhythmic part of this one was absolutely superb !
  5) Hell Ain't Bad Place : found it a little weaker than the rest, but it must just be a personal feeling
  6) Hard as a Rock : though I'd have preffered Ballbreaker, it was really good. I laughed my ass off with the videos projected on this one !
  7) Shoot to Thrill : Good, really good version of this one, you couldn't help your hands clapping on the "quiet" part !
  8)Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution : a good occasion to pause for a while. Magistral voices of Brian, Cliff and Malcolm
  9) Safe in NYC : furious interpretation of this song. Angus went crazy like a caveman !
  10) Bad Boy Boogie : a really good solo by Angus and an hilarious strip. Phil was imperial on the drums. At this point, if it still needed it, the audience went crazy till the end of the show !
  11) Hells Bells : like on the last tours, Brian was swinging on the rope of the bell on the intro. Good reaction of the audience, though I founded the interpretation "classic".
  12) Get It Hot : like many people, I was surprised to hear this one, but surely not disappointed ! The chorus makes you jump 1 meter high !
  13) The Jack : The audience really reacted well on this one, though I was a bit disappointed no woman exposed herself ! Brian and Angus had really funny gestures !
  14) Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap : My god ! The intro of this one catches you instantly ! As usual, the backing vocals were superbly done.
  15) Back In Black : another one I found "average". Again, must just have been me, 'cause the crowd went mad !
  16) Highway To Hell : an excellent version of this one, with huge pyro effects at the end that were probably fell even in the back of the arena !
  17) Whole Lotta Rosie : Man, probably the best song of the show with "For Those" !!! None of the 5 guys failed on this one, and ENORMOUS reaction by the audience ! The new Rosie girl was cool too ! In a word: perfect.
  18) Let There Be Rock : again, a huge song and perfect acting by Angus. The rhythmic (especially the drums) were excellent too. But I must admit I preffered it when it was played on the Ballbreaker tour, with all the pyro effects and the wrecking ball ! I was also a bit disappointed by the reaction of the crowd when the band went backstage at the end of the song. Didn't call them back loud enough IMO.
  The Encore :
  19) T.N.T. : I liked the way Angus went back on stage, coming from nowhere (well, from down the stage !) in the middle of the fog ! an allright version of this song, but I would personally have preferred to have "Highway" instead to begin the encore. Nevermind !
  20) For Those About To Rock : As I said before, an absolutely enormous, superb, awesome version of For Those played this night !
  I didn't remember the canons were so loud ! There was also a good confetis throwing at the end. I also think it's on this song that a bloke managed to get onstage. Brian laughing his ass off, and the guy gently took Angus by the shoulder (who went on playing the solo !) before getting carelessly thrown out by the mighty bouncers !
  As you can see, there was nothing unexpected in the set-list (except maybe for Get It Hot), but who cares ? It was brilliant anyway ! The stage act was superb, with the huge statue of Angus, Rosie, the Hell's Bells and the catwalk (brilliant idea, this catwalk). A definitely monstruous show for me who only went to one show before (in Nancy, France, on the last tour) ! Thanks to the boys for this excellent night !
  Plus, a special thanks to Bob for having hosted me ! You rule, mate !

• Dave
  I last saw AC/DC in 1982 so I was looking forward to the show. I was not disappointed. They were stunning. Loved the set they performed and the whole show itself. Can't fault it really with the possible exception of the sound, guitars etc were great but Brian's vocals were drowned out at times. I blame the NEC not the band.
  Took the my wife, who doesn't like heavy rock, and although the music wasn't quite to her taste she enjoyed the show. Hope to see the boys again. Hopefully won't have to wait 18 years again !!!

• Simon Wilkins
  This was my 21st AC/DC gig and what a blinder it was! Great start with a real club atmosphere as they just wandered on to the stage, were introduced and then Wallop! straight in to "You Shook Me All Night Long". The sound was incredibly loud (and clear!), probably the best sound I've ever experienced at an AC/DC gig. You could really hear Cliff's bass in the mix which I always felt was too low in the past!

  Jonna was on top form and Angus, Phil and Malcolm performed with the same precision as they always have and haven't changed a bit (good news there then!). Normal choice of set as a band like AC/DC have so many classics that they HAVE to play (full listing below) with the only real surprise being "Get It Hot" from the "Highway To Hell" album. The surprise on the last tour was "Dog Eat Dog" - maybe in time for the next tour we can all start a petition up to get them to play "Riff Raff" or "Down Payment Blues" as most hardcore AC/DC fans I have spoken to or read about put the "Powerage" album at the top of their list!

  The new blow up Rosie was amusing as were the sex clips during "Hard As A Rock". The video screens and walkway were cool although I felt Angus could of used it a bit more! Liked the cameras on the crowd during "The Jack" and the massive statue was "very metal" with it's lit horns and eyes and bellowing smoke! Bit surprised that Angus didn't go out in the crowd and come back on to the stage on Jonna's shoulders as he normally does (maybe some restrictions or policy at Sheffield stopped him doing this?). And of course the cannons finished off our hearing as always finishing the gig in the only way that AC/DC can. No one can top that ending! Anyway 10/10 as usual and still the best band ever! Roll on the two nights at Wembley next week!!

  FULL SET LIST (MIGHT NOT BE IN ORDER DURING THE MIDDLE!)
  You Shook Me All Night Long
  Stiff Upper Lip
  Shot Down In Flames
  Thunderstruck
  Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
  Hard As A Rock
  Shoot To Thrill
  Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
  Bad Boy Boogie
  Hells Bells
  Get It Hot
  Safe In New York City
  The Jack
  Highway To Hell
  Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
  Back In Black
  Whole Lotta Rosie
  Let There Be Rock
  T.N.T.
  For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

• Mark
  Until I went to the gig I was thinking the same as many other previous contributors: that "You Shook Me.." wasn't the greatest opener, but it actually worked very well (let's face it, they're not likely to give us "Riff Raff" any more). The last really good opening song I remember was "Guns For Hire" many years ago, but I'm sure others won't agree with that one. Considering that the end of the show is ALWAYS the same we ought to be grateful they change anything!
  Brian sounded great, and seemed to be enjoying the whole thing more than ever. Angus seems to be slowing down, bless him, but who cares?
  It's a shame they couldn't play one or two more new songs, would have been nice to hear "Meltdown". It's ironic that after finally releasing a pretty good album they don't seem to be pushing it at all.
  Let's hope it's not the last time. With these five year gaps you never know.

• Luke
  First time I've seen acdc in concert, first time I'd heard a lot of ac/dc songs really enjoyed the night. Now been converted to a fan.
  Nuff said

• Ian
  Tighter, and a much clearer sound than the night before last at Brum. The boys came on to a thunderous reception and kicked off into you shook, it was awesome as the band & especially Brian looked pleased to be in the UK. Classic followed classic as they showed why they are the greatest Rock n' Roll band on the planet. Highlight of the night was a superb singalong to the The Jack and a raucous thrash thro Rosie. Cheers boys, see you sometime next year? Milton Keynes Bowl perhaps? WE SALUTE YOU!!

• Neal Walker
  OH MY GOD!!!! What a superb night. It was ironic that they opened with "You Shook Me..." because lads, you DID shake me all night long!!! As usual an excellent show, not just the music, but the lights and pyrotecnics were unbelievable. Angus' hair might be thinning out, but he's as good as ever! And its great to hear Brian hasn't lost a bit of his Geordie twang.
  If you get the chance, GET to a show. You will not be disappointed!!! Look out for the Fireballs in 'Highway', quality!!!
  Awesome lads, just keep doing what your doing. See you in 5 years!!!
  

• John Aston
  After 25 years you would think AC/DC would just turn up, go through the motions, collect the money and leave.....No Way !!! They were as enthusiastic as the day they started!!! They put every ounce of bollocks they possessed into the gig and it rocked!!! One of the best gigs I have ever seen. Ever.

• Tom Rigby
  The Manchester concert was the greatest performance I have ever seen or am ever likely to see again and proves that AC/DC are definitely the best live act around.
  All the old favourites such as Thunderstruck, Bad boy boogie, Back In Black, Highway to Hell and Whole Lotta Rosie were played along with some off the new album such as Stiff Upper Lip and Safe in New York City.
  I have never seen as many special effects in one night as in Manchester. They had the classic Cannons, the inflaterble Rosie, Fireballs, The Angus Statue, The Hells Bells and even had Angus rising from the floor in the last song-For those about to Rock We Salute You.
  Angus was wearing his renowned trademark-the school uniform and was as good and as mental as he always is. Brian Johnson was swinging from the giant bell that and never stopped moving all night long. When combined with sound performances from Phil, Malcolm and Cliff it made for a great night out and one that I will probably never forget.

• Mark Riley
  What can I say ? The boys stepped on stage to a cacophony of noise, without the usual build up of everyones anticipation for Angus to appear. A simple nod from Malcolm and they cracked into a memorable 2 hour set full of new and old tracks for everyone to enjoy, DC veterans & youth alike. Dropping Jailbreak & sneaking in 'Get It Hot' was a masterstroke, showing what a vast catalogue of classics the lads have behind them. Brian Johnston taking enormous lungfulls of breath between songs did it all for me, 110 % from a 53 year old - quality !
  If cryogenics is the way of the future please freeze this band now for the sake of rock n roll in times to come. May AC/DC live forever.

• Marko
  5th time I've seen the boys now and they seem to get better and better with age. My only concern was watching Brian taking extremely deep breaths after each song. I don't think they will tour again after this one so if you haven't seem them yet get down to Wembley 4/5th December - This could be your last chance !!