AC/DC Reveal New Touring Bassist

AC/DC have revealed what their big news teased over the last week: after counting down for five days, the legendary rock band announced a tour of Europe and the UK, returning to touring for the first time since 2016.

That’s not the only news, though, as AC/DC unveiled a new-look touring line-up, including bassist Chris Chaney (formerly with Jane’s Addiction and Alanis Morissette), who’s “carrying the torch” for bassist Cliff Williams, and the return of drummer Matt Laug, who played with the band at the inaugural Power Trip festival last October.

With those additions, the AC/DC touring line-up comprises singer Brian Johnson, guitarist Angus Young, Stevie Young, Laug and Chaney – a collection of members that could upset some fans who have been looking forward to seeing a more “original” line-up of the band.

Some dates on their upcoming tour will hold two shows per venue, namely London’s Wembley Stadium and Austria’s Ernst Happel Stadium, and a pair of shows at two German spaces: Olympic Stadium and Veltins Arena.

The tour begins at Veltins Arena on Friday, 17 May and stretches into August, with the tour ending on the 17th at Dublin, Ireland’s Croke Park. You can check out all the tour dates here.

Last month, podcast host and insider Dean Delray claimed that he’d heard from a “very reliable source” that AC/DC would be touring with a different bassist this year.

“I’m not gonna say who it is; I’ll let AC/DC make that announcement, but I will say this: 3 years ago, I had Cliff Williams on my podcast, and he straight up said he would not be touring again and I was surprised that the fans didn’t seem to pick up on that,” Delray wrote alongside a clip of his interview with Williams.

In the video, Williams discussed his infrequent appearances on stage, telling Delray that it was a decision made with his health in mind. “We all have our issues down the line. You know, so much as for me, I just can't do that anymore.”

In November, possible European tour plans for AC/DC were reported. Dieter Reiter, the mayor of Munich, let slip in an interview that the rockers had a date locked at the city’s Olympic Stadium on 12 June 2024.

Reiter reportedly shared the details at a council meeting and told a journalist: “I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret.”

At the time of writing, it’s unclear if AC/DC will announce tour dates in other parts of the world, including Australia and New Zealand.

We are thrilled to finally announce the ‘POWER UP’ European Tour. Angus, Brian, Stevie, and Matt will be joined by Chris Chaney to carry the torch for Cliff. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VTVMKdweNX

— AC/DC (@acdc) February 12, 2024