As the sun began to set, the atmosphere inside Croke Park was electric. Anticipation hung in the air, with fans ranging from old-school rockers to younger generations eager to witness the legends in action. The stage was a towering behemoth of lights and sound, setting the perfect scene for the night ahead.
Angus and Co hit the stage with the explosive energy of “If You Want Blood (You Got It),” and from that moment on, the crowd was in the palm of their hands. Young, clad in his signature schoolboy outfit (a perfect shade of green), was a whirlwind of energy, his SG playing as ferocious and precise as ever. Brian Johnson, with his unmistakable rasp, roared through the lyrics, his voice as gritty and powerful as it was decades ago much to the ecstatic joy of the heaving crowd.
“Back in Black” was a moment of pure rock ecstasy, with the entire stadium chanting the iconic riff in unison. The power and precision of the band were on full display as they moved seamlessly through a well-crafted setlist capturing the band’s illustrious career, with fan favourites like, ‘Thunderstruck‘, and ‘Have a Drink on Me‘, getting the crowd on their feet and singing along with every word. The chemistry between all band members was palpable, with Angus and Johnson sharing the stage with a camaraderie that spoke of decades of shared experiences. “Hells Bells” saw the massive iconic bell descend from the rafters above Young which was, to say the least, a striking image that will stick with me forever.
Midway through the set, we are treated to ‘Shot In The Dark‘, ‘Stiff Upper Lip‘ and a deafening rendition of, ‘Highway To Hell‘, where the crowd’s enthusiasm didn’t wane for a second, with thousands of voices singing along to the cheeky lyrics, clearly pleasing Johnson who was beaming with pride as he stalked the lip of the giant stage. Just another moment that highlighted the versatility of AC/DC’s catalog, showing that they are not just a band, but a religion to some fans.
With the band serving more bangers such as ‘Shoot To Thill‘, ‘Sin City‘, ‘Rock n’ Roll Train‘ and the anthem, ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap‘, the band delivered a stadium-rumbling version of ‘You Shook Me All Night Long‘ with a ferocity only AC/DC can muster up, proving that they are, without question, one of the most cherished live bands in the game.
Finishing up with “Whole Lotta Rosie‘, ‘Let There Be Rock‘, ‘TNT‘, and ‘For Those About to Rock (We Salute You),” to a sea of horns and fists raised to the sky.
AC/DC’s performance at Croke Park was nothing short of legendary. The band, despite their long tenure, showed no signs of slowing down, delivering a show that was as powerful and exhilarating as ever.
For those who were there, it was a night of rock ‘n’ roll magic, a testament to the enduring appeal of one of the greatest bands in the history of music. AC/DC saluted Dublin, and Dublin saluted them right back, with a roar that will be remembered for years to come.
Oran O’Beirne
Photos – Down The Barrel Photography © 2024
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