When the Cheshire emerges...

Ok, so I think I'm still recovering from the mindblowing experience that was last night's AC/DC concert. As one of the (according to different reports) 43-to-46,000 people at Adelaide Oval, I can truly say that their show was one of the biggest and most entertaining I've ever been to. They didn't deviate from the music very much, because the songs did all the talking.

Brian Johnson would have to be one of music's most charismatic performers. And what's even better is that he doesn't give off that impression, but it slowly builds. You watch him and you just stand there in total awe not believing it. I don't know if there's another way to describe it. Basically, for an oldie he's still got it. He moves to the songs in a way only a true artist can appreciate their music, and he has so much damn fun doing it. That's another appeal, when you can see the grins on their faces... it's almost as like he was singing for himself but inviting us all in at the same time.

Then there's Angus Young. The schoolboy. He lost his hat pretty quickly but definitely not his skill. He had so much time to shine throughout the night but it didn't seem enough. Even when 40-odd thousand were watching him do A TWENTY-MINUTE SOLO. That's right, and I wasn't even the one counting. I was just thinking of how his fingers hadn't fallen off and how much more sweat could come out of him. Again, total awe. Down the runway he went (which was at least 7ft high, we couldn't see the other half of the audience), then was raised up on a platform as confetti was blasted everywhere. And then he went back in front of the huge central screen for a while before teasing the audience at the end. Just incredible stuff. Now, I haven't seen many great guitarists, but I don't think I'd have much argument if I said he could well be the best guitarist ever. What he did was genius and you actually felt privileged to be there.

It's funny that I had 'It's A Long Way To The Top' stuck in my head the next day - considering it was the only major omission. Disappointed about that, but otherwise a great set list. I guessed 'Rock and Roll Train' as the opener (and sure enough, a huge train was the centrepiece of their stage), crowd favourites were 'Rosie' (with the biggest blow-up doll you've ever seen straddling said train) and 'TNT' before an awesome encore of 'Highway To Hell' and 'For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)'. Here was where the experience changed for me...

I'd decided to try out my earplugs for the first time because I've been to enough shows that I think my ears may be permanently damaged... and I knew that this was going to be a whole different kind of loud. I heard it loud enough (and am grateful because my ears are fine), but thought I'd do it all justice and take them out for the encore. Wow. Blown a.way. It was loud, and it sounded AWESOME. Since, people down west-side claim they heard it all loud and clear. Crazy.

The show was pure entertainment. Supports Calling All Cars and Wolfmother impressed (although the latter's 'Mind's Eye' was oddly omitted), while Acca Dacca just let it all out. My dad pointed out that the great thing about them is the lack of ballads. It's all pure rock for them, and their style has such longevity that they'd never need one. For me, that's a huge plus and perhaps why I enjoyed this concert more than most others. For the males, it was probably the numerous women flashing themselves on the huge screens. Either way, a fun night, with their tribute to Bon Scott and massive fireworks to finish it off great touches.

Things I got out of it:
- Angus Young's guitaritry (for lack of a better word) is astonishing.
- You can be ageing and still have it. These guys do in spades.
- AN AC/DC T-SHIRT!!! Official, and awesome.