AC/DC at Gillette Stadium, Might 4, 2025

The blistering 140-minute, 21-song set in Foxborough was a significant comeback for a band many thought had been achieved.

Brian Johnson and Angus Younger rocked Gillette Stadium all evening lengthy (or a minimum of for a number of raucous hours) Sunday evening. David Silverman/Kraft Sports activities + Leisure

AC/DC, with The Fairly Reckless, Gillette Stadium, Might 4, 2025

In order for you blood, and loads of energy chords in addition, AC/DC delivered after which some Sunday evening at Gillette Stadium.

Like a phoenix rising from the heavy steel ashes, the Australian quintet returned to the constructing Tom Brady constructed for the primary time in almost a decade for its 2025 “Energy Up” North American tour. Enjoying their seventh of 13 scheduled stadium exhibits, the legendary Rock and Roll Corridor of Famers proved they nonetheless pack a potent punch, powering their approach by means of a blistering 140-minute, 21-song set, masking hits each previous and new.

From the opening lick of “If You Need Blood (You’ve Acquired It),” lead guitarist Angus Younger had the capability crowd within the palm of his fingers. Wearing his signature blue schoolboy outfit, matching shorts and gold ball cap, the 70-year-old guitar hero bobbed and weaved in a well-recognized cadence, main a military of air guitarists in his wake.

In the meantime, gravelly-voiced vocalist Brian Johnson fed off the guitarist’s kinetic power. It was an amazing return to kind for Johnson, 77, whose tenure with the band appeared over after he was unable to complete the 2016 “Rock or Bust” world tour as a consequence of listening to points. Weapons N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose crammed within the remaining 10 dates of that tour, earlier than the band went on a hiatus from 2016-18.

“It feels nice to be again,” stated Johnson, earlier than launching into “Again In Black,” the title observe off the band’s groundbreaking 1980 album, his first after becoming a member of the group. AC/DC carried out 5 songs off that launch, which has offered 50 million albums worldwide, making it one in every of best-selling albums in music historical past. Over 4 a long time later, stay staples “Hells Bells,” “Have A Drink on Me,” and crowd-pleaser “You Shook Me All Evening Lengthy” nonetheless pack a powerful punch in any sports activities area.

The band did an efficient job cherry choosing from its colourful discography. Johnson enticed the group on the anthemic rocker “Thunderstruck,” aided by some stunning visible results. The singer additionally tipped his trademark Scally cap to his predecessor, the late Bon Scott, reaching the fire-breathing depths of “Freeway to Hell” with equal aplomb.

All through all of it, Angus Younger continued to carry courtroom, showcasing his fretboard wizardry. The riff grasp channeled his interior Chuck Berry, offering a duckwalk stomp on classics like “Shot Down In Flames” and newer cuts “Shot within the Darkish” and “Stiff Higher Lip.”

Rhythm guitarist Stevie Younger, 68, offered added crunch. The nephew of Angus has crammed in admirably for his late uncle, rhythm guitarist extraordinaire Malcolm Younger, who retired in 2014 earlier than passing away in 2017. The addition of drummer Matt Laug and bassist Chris Chaney additionally offered an added jolt. The newly fashioned rhythm part had a troublesome activity filling the void left by founding drummer Phil Rudd and retired bassist Cliff Williams, however each dealt with their duties successfully.

Recognized for his work with Slash’s Snakepit and Alice Cooper, Laug, 57, held regular on up-tempo tunes “Shoot To Thrill” and “Soiled Deeds Performed Dust Low-cost.” A former Jane’s Habit bassist, Chaney, 54, shined in the course of the nifty breakdown of “Sin Metropolis,” whereas sustaining the groove of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Practice.”

Very like their predecessors, Stevie and Chaney hung near Laug’s equipment. The pair took 5 steps out in unison to provide backing vocals, earlier than returning to their put up in slick symmetry. This gave Angus and Johnson loads of room to roam.

When clicking on all cylinders, AC/DC stay a formidable power, significantly in a stadium atmosphere. The relentless pacing, precision and energy displayed on “Riff Raff” was a main instance of their energy chord tenacity. The tune, a selected favourite of this author, culminates with arguably the mom of all rock and roll crescendos. It’s so highly effective it almost knocks you off your ft.

Two hours into the scintillating set, Angus Younger kicked the band into one other gear completely, unloading the bombastic “Entire Lotta Rosie,” adopted by the epic set nearer “Let There Be Rock.” At all times the showman, Angus accentuated the finale by taking part in an prolonged guitar solo on a raised platform, earlier than bathing the viewers with a blast of confetti.

AC/DC offered some ample firepower for its thunderous encore. They set off some “T.N.T.,” earlier than rolling out an array of cannons on the long-lasting “For These About to Rock (We Salute You),” sending their blood-thirsty viewers house joyful.