Legendary or past their prime? AC/DC face calls to step down after painful gig video
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Few bands have rocked the world quite like AC/DC.
With their electrifying riffs, thunderous drums, and iconic stage antics, the Aussie legends have been the soundtrack to generations of headbangers and air-guitarists.
But as the years roll on, even the mightiest rock gods face the march of time—and now, a viral video from their latest tour has fans asking a tough question: is it time for AC/DC to hang up their guitars for good?
The footage in question, which has been making the rounds on social media, shows the band in the thick of their Power Up world tour, performing at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts last May 4.
Angus Young, ever the showman, is seen belting into his microphone, clad in his signature schoolboy getup—this time, an unbuttoned white shirt and blue velvet shorts.
But as the camera pans to frontman Brian Johnson, things take a turn. The crowd’s roar seems to drown out Johnson’s vocals, and the energy that once defined AC/DC’s live shows feels, to some, a little… off.
The reaction online has been swift and, at times, brutal. 'I was going to get tickets until I saw this,' one fan admitted.
In earlier news: Rock legends return for Australian tour—see them live this year
Another lamented, 'I really wanted to see them this year… now I don’t, thank you for this.' Others were even more direct: 'This is so painful. They just need to stop.'
The sentiment was echoed by hundreds, with many urging the band to 'retire' and 'save their legacy' before things get worse.
Of course, not everyone is ready to say goodbye. Some fans leapt to the band’s defence, pointing out the obvious.
'It’s an old band, of course they’re not going to be the same. Y’all don’t have to say for them to stop doing what they like.' Another added, 'Let them do what they want! I’ll still go watch them to say I’ve seen them one final time.'
Also read: 'One of my heroes': Music fans mourn as 70s rock star dies before major tour
For many, the chance to see AC/DC live—even if they’re not quite as spry as they were in the ‘70s and ‘80s—is a bucket-list experience worth every cent.
It’s worth remembering that AC/DC’s legacy is nothing short of monumental. Since forming in Sydney in 1973, they’ve sold over 200 million albums worldwide, with classics like Back in Black and Highway to Hell cementing their place in rock history.
Their last Australian tour, Rock or Bust, in 2015 saw more than 520,000 tickets snapped up by eager fans, proving that the appetite for their brand of hard rock is as strong as ever.
Source: @concertman04 / Tiktok.
But the question remains: when is the right time for a band to call it quits? For some, the answer is simple—go out on a high, before the magic fades. For others, the joy of performing and the connection with fans outweighs any dip in vocal range or stage stamina.
After all, music is as much about passion as it is about perfection.
For those still keen to catch AC/DC in action, the band’s Power Up tour is set to hit some of Australia’s biggest venues later this year, including the MCG on November 12, Sydney’s Accor Stadium on November 21, Adelaide’s Grand Final on November 30, Perth’s Optus Stadium on December 4, and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 14.
Read next: ‘He isn’t showing many signs of slowing down’: Music icon’s fall sparks concern among fans
So, what do you think, members? Is it time for AC/DC to take their final bow, or should they keep rocking as long as they’ve got the energy? Have you seen a band past their prime and still loved every minute, or do you prefer to remember them at their peak? Share your thoughts and concert memories in the comments below!
With their electrifying riffs, thunderous drums, and iconic stage antics, the Aussie legends have been the soundtrack to generations of headbangers and air-guitarists.
But as the years roll on, even the mightiest rock gods face the march of time—and now, a viral video from their latest tour has fans asking a tough question: is it time for AC/DC to hang up their guitars for good?
The footage in question, which has been making the rounds on social media, shows the band in the thick of their Power Up world tour, performing at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts last May 4.
Angus Young, ever the showman, is seen belting into his microphone, clad in his signature schoolboy getup—this time, an unbuttoned white shirt and blue velvet shorts.
Footage from AC/DC’s recent concerts has gone viral, sparking criticism from fans and calls for the band to retire to protect their legacy. Image source: @concertman04 / Tiktok.
But as the camera pans to frontman Brian Johnson, things take a turn. The crowd’s roar seems to drown out Johnson’s vocals, and the energy that once defined AC/DC’s live shows feels, to some, a little… off.
The reaction online has been swift and, at times, brutal. 'I was going to get tickets until I saw this,' one fan admitted.
In earlier news: Rock legends return for Australian tour—see them live this year
Another lamented, 'I really wanted to see them this year… now I don’t, thank you for this.' Others were even more direct: 'This is so painful. They just need to stop.'
The sentiment was echoed by hundreds, with many urging the band to 'retire' and 'save their legacy' before things get worse.
Of course, not everyone is ready to say goodbye. Some fans leapt to the band’s defence, pointing out the obvious.
'It’s an old band, of course they’re not going to be the same. Y’all don’t have to say for them to stop doing what they like.' Another added, 'Let them do what they want! I’ll still go watch them to say I’ve seen them one final time.'
Also read: 'One of my heroes': Music fans mourn as 70s rock star dies before major tour
For many, the chance to see AC/DC live—even if they’re not quite as spry as they were in the ‘70s and ‘80s—is a bucket-list experience worth every cent.
It’s worth remembering that AC/DC’s legacy is nothing short of monumental. Since forming in Sydney in 1973, they’ve sold over 200 million albums worldwide, with classics like Back in Black and Highway to Hell cementing their place in rock history.
Their last Australian tour, Rock or Bust, in 2015 saw more than 520,000 tickets snapped up by eager fans, proving that the appetite for their brand of hard rock is as strong as ever.
Source: @concertman04 / Tiktok.
But the question remains: when is the right time for a band to call it quits? For some, the answer is simple—go out on a high, before the magic fades. For others, the joy of performing and the connection with fans outweighs any dip in vocal range or stage stamina.
After all, music is as much about passion as it is about perfection.
For those still keen to catch AC/DC in action, the band’s Power Up tour is set to hit some of Australia’s biggest venues later this year, including the MCG on November 12, Sydney’s Accor Stadium on November 21, Adelaide’s Grand Final on November 30, Perth’s Optus Stadium on December 4, and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 14.
Read next: ‘He isn’t showing many signs of slowing down’: Music icon’s fall sparks concern among fans
So, what do you think, members? Is it time for AC/DC to take their final bow, or should they keep rocking as long as they’ve got the energy? Have you seen a band past their prime and still loved every minute, or do you prefer to remember them at their peak? Share your thoughts and concert memories in the comments below!
