For over 50 years,AC/DC’s Angus Young has expelled every last ounce of his energy on stage in front of a roaring sea of adoringmusicfans. Stomping, leaping, and flinging his hat to the ground with the speed of his head banging,he is a mesmerizing ball of energy on stage - or at least he was.
AC/DC is an unstoppable force. While mourning the loss of their beloved singer, Bon Scott, the band didn’t throw in the towel. When Brian Johnson joined the line-up, their album sales increased and their stage shows became more dynamic. However,touring for half a century takes a toll on the bodyon top of the natural effects of aging.
After some less than stellar shows, some fans are concerned that the band’s touring days are over. The musicians are still giving their all, putting their whole body into their performance, but it would be deceiving to say the shows are the same. Potential audience members are conflicted; are AC/DC shows still worth it?
AC/DC Seem To Be Struggling In Their Newest Performances
TikTok Videos Reveal A Less Than Intense Show
People who have grown up listening to AC/DC on their parents' mix tapes have been waiting their entire lifetime to save up for tickets to witness the band tear the house down. Many TikTok users have posted videos of their experiences in the audience. TikTok users are now disillusioned, astheir favorite rock stars are not frozen in time like their albums.
Comments on a video of Angus Young attempting to hype up the crowd with chants of “Oi!” over “T.N.T.” show the 70-year-old guitar player struggling to stay on tempo, his white hair flowing just like his white button-up shirt. On the video posted by user@acdc_usa,one commenter writes “He reminds me of a toddler in a way.”
User@itschristinacrabtreeposted a video of Angus Young struggling to get through a guitar solo in “Thunderstruck.” The iconic riff starts extremely slowly, becomes jumbled, morphs into unintelligible fumbling, and finally loses all recognizability, andYoung just will not stop playing.
The top comment reads “As a guitar center employee, I hear current Angus Young everyday.” The most common sentiment in the comments is clear:it is time to retire.
AC/DC Still Has A Few Scheduled Shows In The Future
Is It Worth It To Catch A Show?
AC/DC’s North America tour wrapped up before the start of summer, but they are still hitting the stage.The band is taking their shows worldwide for the rest of the year.
Their decision to keep performing demonstrates massive respect for their fans and the sanctity of live performance in rock music.
The band’s next show is in Warsaw and, as of writing this article, their final stop is Brisbane in December. From July until the end of the year,the group plans to play at least 22 shows.
The band is touring as if they are a young pop star trying to capitalize on their breakout album.Their decision to keep performing demonstrates massive respect for their fans and the sanctity of live performance in rock music.
Is It Time For AC/DC To Retire?
Many Major ’70s Acts Are Saying Farewell
As musicians age, the question comes to everyone’s mind: how long is touring healthy? This not only applies to musicians who begin to lose mobility and stamina, but their relationship with their fan base. Musicians have to ask themselves:am I putting on the show that my fans deserve?
Clearly, AC/DC believes they still have quite a few more shows in them before reaching the point of no return.At this point, it is within the realm of possibility that Angus Young plans to pass away playing “Beating Around The Bush” to a crowd full of moshing fans.
Injuries are possible for young musicians, and older musicians are at higher risk.Vocal cords are sensitive muscles; matching the energy of a crowd night after night can lead to devastating strains.
A number of the band’s contemporaries have decided it is time to wish their fans well, and retire from the stage - including Elton John.
In July 2023,Elton John took his last tourdown the Yellow Brick Road and said goodbye to the stage.He took five years to properly say goodbye to everyone who loved his music, allowing every fan to buy a ticket before an Elton John ticket would never go on sale again.
Elton John struck the perfect balance between not abandoning his fans, but also firmly investing in his personal life. Perhaps it’s time for rock legends likeAC/DCto do the same.
