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Live Review
by SashaS
22-10-2003
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| AC/DC: before Angus's 'striptease' |
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Live: AC/DC
Hammersmith Apollo
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
AC/DC: close-up for a monster brilliance
With AC/DC you know what you get, how you get it and you get it BIG! In a small box, for a change, if you know what we mean. The Australia-based band recently played to half-million fans at a SARS one-dayer in Canada (alongside The Rolling Stones) whilst this show is back to the 1981 level! The reason for playing here, a show that sold out in 4 minutes (Guinness record), is to officially relaunch the famed Hammersmith Apollo (formerly Odeon) as a standing venue.
Thus, 4,000-plus lucky ticket (and wristband) holders have crammed into this venue to hear some of the most astonishing songs of rock era. It’s basic, it’s raw, it’s powerful – but, at the same time, it is of unbelievable quality that bombards our senses from the opening riff! And, for most of the time, singer Brian Johnson becomes superfluous due to this audience of hardcore AC/DC devotees – knowing each and every word and singing it at the top of their lungs. As soon as Angus Young hits an opening chord, there is an ovation of recognition and frenzy of delight upon concluding each track!
All the known elements are there: Angus’s school-uniform, Johnson flat-cap, the three-high line up of Marshall amps across the stage, the bell with the band’s logo descending from the rafts for ‘Hell Bells’, Young’s ‘strip-to-the-Union-Jack-shorts’ tease-take during ‘The Jack’, the cannons for 21-salvo salute during the final encore ‘For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)’… Add to that the deafening singing-cum-shouting and general moshing during ‘T.N.T’ and your mind may start to imagine the vibe, the atmo, the fun!
The five members of this legendary unit perform with such gusto as if it is the first time ever and not like a band that’s been rocking for nigh three decades. More hits come in the shape of ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’, ‘Highway To Hell’… If rock music is supposed to be the devil’s creation, then – ‘Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be’…
The world outside may be in turmoil – from Iraqi ‘peace’ to tube derailments – but for these couple of hours, DR FEELGOOD is in da house, occupying one’s sound and vision, commanding all thoughts, emotions and attention! No surprise The Rolling Stones invited them personally – Keith Richards rates Angus as the greatest living rock guitarist! – to be guests on selected dates of the veteran’s last [or, just latest?] tour.
For those who were unlucky to gain access tonight – it is reckoned to be at least 196,000 souls – a consolation is coming out on 03 November: ‘AC/DC Live At Donington’ DVD. The headlining Monsters Of Rock show, that took place on 17 August 1991, blasts all the best-known tracks by the band plus many more added features, including ‘Angus-cam’ option on three tracks and commentary by the band members. A perfect Chrimbo gift for, not only your male partners and few tattooed ladies we spotted at the show, but all who have ever loved rock, including the genre’s currently-faved-archaeologists, The Darkness (who are playing here tonight).
AC/DC are the people’s undisputed champions! Tonight is one for the memoirs, alongside The Stones at the Astoria, U2 at the same venue, Madonna at Brixton Academy, The Sex Pistols at SBE…
SashaS
22-10-2003
AC/DC’s DVD ‘AC/DC Live At Donington’ is released 03 November 2003 by Legacy/Epic
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