AC/DC

Madrid, July 16, 2025

Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Power Up Tour

Opening band: The Pretty Reckless

For those about to rock!

AC/DC is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973. They are an iconic and influential hard rock band that is also known for playing blues and heavy metal.

The band has been mainly composed of the Young brothers, Angus (lead guitarist) and Malcolm (rhythm guitarist, deceased). After numerous lineup changes and some deaths of their members, they continue to rock and roll to this date, and they’re touring the world with their current Power Up Tour.

Band Members

Angus Young – lead guitar
Brian Johnson – lead vocals
Stevie Young – rhythm guitar
Cliff Williams – bass (not touring)
Chris Chaney – bass (touring musician)
Matt Laug – drums (touring musician)

The Show

The American hard rock band The Pretty Reckless was the opening act. I arrived at the Stadium around 20.45, I listened in the distance to the end of the opening band, I bought water and the tour t-shirt. Then I looked for my designated seat.

AC/DC’s show started at 21.30 with an intro and If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It), followed by Back in Black and Demon Fire. From the first moment that the band came on stage and started playing, people went crazy, everyone standing up, singing, and moving, and that remained throughout the show.

The setlist mixed old with newer songs: Shot Down in Flames, Thunderstruck, Have a Drink on Me. A big hit came: Hells Bells, then Shot in the Dark, Stiff Upper Lip, and the iconic Highway to Hell, in which everyone went insane, followed by Shoot to Thrill and Sin City.

The band pretty much have been playing the same setlist on this tour, except for the song Giving the Dog a Bone, which was added in this show. In others, they have been replaced with Dog Eat Dog, Rock ‘n’ Roll Train, or others. Then they played two of my favorite songs: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and High Voltage. Later: Riff Raff, You Shook Me All Night Long, Whole Lotta Rosie, and Let There Be Rock (with Angus guitar solo). Angus’s guitar solo was long and crazy, and he even got up on a platform that was in the middle of the audience.

The band left the stage and returned a couple of minutes after to play the encore: T.N.T. and For Those About to Rock (We Salute You), this last song included even the cannon shots and fireworks.

The stadium was packed. The show lasted more than 2 hours, and it ended near midnight. The audience was full of energy, which was a direct answer to the band on stage. I knew that AC/DC’s delivery was amazing, but experiencing it live is impressive.

The sound overall was good, a little saturated at times, yet I thought that sounded better than in Iron Maiden.

Now I was nearer the stage, and I was able to see the band and everything fantastic, plus they had big screens, even laterals, so you can enjoy a good view.

When everything finished, and I left, I was really happy and impressed by what I’ve experienced. I will forever recognize that AC/DC is an emblematic, epic band that, no matter their age, plays music with a full heart, intention, and attitude. What else can you ask for?