Watch AC/DC’s First Performance In Seven Years

On Saturday night (7 October), hard rock icons AC/DC performed their first show in seven years.

AC/DC last performed in September 2016 – with Guns N’ Roses vocalist Axl Rose – while singer Brian Johnson hadn’t performed with them since February 2016 after dealing with severe hearing issues. Johnson returned to the band a few years later thanks to new in-ear monitor technology. 

Taking to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California – the site of Coachella music festival – the music legends performed a whopping 24-song set for eager rock and metal fans. The band line-up consisted of Johnson, guitarist Angus Young, bassist Cliff Williams, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, and drummer Matt Laug, stepping in for Phil Rudd.

AC/DC performed after Judas Priest, who announced their 19th studio album and first in six years while on stage. Invisible Shield will be released on 8 March 2024. You can pre-order your copy here.

AC/DC’s set marked the first time they’d opened with If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) while sharing the debut performances from 2020’s Power Up album (Shot In The Dark and Demon Fire). The band mainly focused on the classics, though, ripping through Back In Black, Highway To Hell, Hell’s Bells, Thunderstruck, You Shook Me All Night Long, Whole Lotta Rosie, and many more.

They further made their mark with merchandise – horns – which you can see below, and even fellow headliners Metallica couldn’t resist, watching AC/DC and Judas Priest from the front of the stage barrier. AC/DC are well and truly back – you can watch videos from their festival set and view the tracklist below.

Losing my mind in 80's metal heaven at Power Trip this weekend...Having a killer time with Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and AC/DC so far. Of course, Metallica will probably destroy it all tonight. They were in the front row enjoying Priest and AC/DC with the fans 🤘 pic.twitter.com/UOL0C4ZSLm

— METAL SHOP ROCKS (@METALSHOPROCKS) October 8, 2023

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The inaugural Power Trip festival is a meeting for heavy metal heroes in Indio, California. AC/DC were joined by Judas Priest (who replaced Ozzy Osbourne, who was forced to pull out due to health issues), Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden and Tool.

The festival name is likely an offshoot of the 2016 event, Desert Trip - which hosted the likes of Neil Young, Sir Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Roger Waters and The Who, this time showcasing the very biggest in hard rock and heavy metal music.

AC/DC – Power Trip Festival Setlist:

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)

Back In Black

Demon Fire (Live debut)

Shot Down in Flames

Thunderstruck

Have A Drink On Me

Hells Bells

Shot In The Dark (Live debut)

Stiff Upper Lip (first time since 2003)

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Shoot To Thrill

Sin City

Givin The Dog A Bone

Rock ‘n’ Roll Train

You Shook Me All Night Long

Dog Eat Dog (first time with Brian since 2009)

High Voltage

Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be

Riff Raff (first time with Brian Johnson since 1996)

Highway To Hell

Whole Lotta Rosie

Let There Be Rock (with Angus Young guitar solo)

Encore:

T.N.T.

For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)