AC/DC Works Debuts & Rarities Into 1st Live Show In 7 Years At Power Trip

Legendary rockers AC/DC returned to the stage for the first time since 2016 on Saturday to close out the second night of the inaugural Power Trip festival. Vocalist Brian Johnson was back in the fold at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California after hearing issues led to Axl Rose replacing him to complete the band’s Rock Or Bust tour seven years ago.

After Judas Priest kicked off the action on Power Trip’s second of three days, AC/DC gave a 24-song performance that included a mix of beloved hits, live rarities and the premiere in-concert versions of two cuts off the band’s 2020 Power Up album. The lineup saw Johnson on vocals joined by founding member Angus Young on lead guitar, longtime bassist Cliff Williams, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young and drummer Matt Laug. Stevie Young covered the parts played by his uncle the late Malcolm Young, as he did on the Rock Or Bust Tour. Laug (Alanis Morissette, Alice Cooper) was recruited to fill in for Phil Rudd, who rejoined the group for the Power Up sessions.

AC/DC began their first live performance since September 20, 2016 and first with Johnson since February 28, 2016 with “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It).” The song off 1979’s Highway To Hell had never been used as an opener before Saturday night. Johnson last sang the tune with AC/DC nearly two decades prior on October 21, 2003. “How cool is this?” Johnson queried the crowd at the massive festival, which also featured performances from Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden on Friday as well as Metallica and Tool on Sunday.

Classic “Back In Black” filled the two-slot before AC/DC offered the live debut of Power Up standout “Demon Fire.” AC/DC also premiered “Shot In The Dark” from their 2020 LP later in the night. “Shot In The Dark” was followed by the return of “Stiff Upper Lip,” the title track of the band’s 2000 studio album, which had been shelved since 2003. Additionally, Brian Johnson helmed “Dog Eat Dog” for the first time since 2009 and “Riff Raff” for the first time since an intimate London show in 1996 filmed at VH1 Studios.

Yet AC/DC’s performance on Saturday was mostly about the hits and there were plenty played in Indio. “Thunderstruck,” “Hells Bells,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and “You Shook Me All Night Long” were each trotted out along with the aforementioned “Back In Black” within the first 15 songs of the night. A run of “Highway To Hell,” “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “Let There Be Rock” capped the main set. The Australian rockers said farewell by pairing “T.N.T.” and “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” as their encore.

There’s no word yet on what the future holds for AC/DC. Watch fan-shot video of the band’s in action at Power Trip below: