Live Review

AC/DC – Punchestown, Kildare

• 2nd Jul 2009

AC/DC do exactly what it says on the tin. The veteran rockers have had an eventful 30 years since they first started gigging in the dive bars of Sydney in the 70’s. Band Members have come and gone, indeed original singer Bon Scott tragically moved onto the rock hall of fame in the sky, while the Young brothers have had an ongoing battle with the bottle. Many albums have been churned out with vastly different levels of success and there have been many stadium tours. They have been around the block and it’s a testimony to their resolve that they are still on the go given all they have been through.

The Black Ice tour rolled into Ireland again at the weekend to Punchestown Racecourse after a cracking show in the O2 earlier in the year. The Kildare Racecourse was thronged with revellers from early on Sunday to ensure they got front row seats for the show.

The Blizzards were a peculiar choice for the opening act, their indie ska-pop a bizarre choice to open for AC/DC. To be fair they kept things short and snappy. Their set merely served as drinking time for the bulk of the crowd.

Up next were Belfast’s The Answer. They have supported AC/DC on much of the Black Ice tour which will hopefully help propel them to another level. At least they were a better fit and played an energetic set full of soaring vocals and bluesy guitar riffs. Lead singer Cormac certainly didn’t shy away from the challenge and possesses a very powerful singing voice that really captures the attention.

And so to the main show, for 20 minutes before their arrival the crowd was now a mixture of stage diving and human pyramids not good for those under 6 feet like myself. In typically Irish fashion the rain was now pouring down but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd. And then the moment arrived, a ridiculous 5 minute video of naughty images and graphics were the precursor for the veterans to arrive. The volume in a Spinal Tap style was cranked up to eleven. Opener “Runaway Train” rocked the place to its foundations.

A stream of classic rock anthems followed: “Back In Black”, “Thunderstruck” with “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” in particular standing out. The band sounded terrific, Brian Johnson’s vocals bellowed out in trademark style, Angus pranced around like a deranged Gollum-like figure in a schoolboy outfit ripping out his trademark guitar solos, the rhythm section were equally impressive keeping things rocking. “She Got the Jack” also saw a lovely young lady reveal a bit of flesh on the big screen.

Personal highlight had to be Angus’s 15 minute epic guitar solo. 15 minute Guitar Solos of course can border on the narcissistic but it was a sight to behold to see Angus in full flight. After cris crossing the stage about twenty times he charged down the runway into the crowd and spent 5 minutes on top of the sound desk in the lashing rain giving his SG quite the workout. It was quite the sight and therein lies the appeal of AC/DC. Their music to some is formulaic and repetitive but if you enjoy rock music of any form you cannot help but love it.

Most great rock music is after all simple. AC/DC will not release a concept techno album, nor a Kid A type record but they are an awful lot of fun, have some great rock songs and are a must see live.