AC/DC set Tallinn on fire with a blazing rock ’n’ roll show

One of the most successful and influential bands of all time made a strong return to the stage in Estonia. Legendary AC/DC is currently touring Europe on their “Power Up” tour, led by longtime frontman Brian Johnson and iconic guitarist Angus Young. On Thursday night (July 24), the legendary band delivered a spectacular performance at Tallinn’s historic Laululava concert venue. The sold-out concert, attended by over 65,000 fans, proved that the veteran band is still very much in the game — and that the end isn’t in sight anytime soon, as long as they don’t want it to be.

INTRO

The grounds of Tallinn’s Laululava began to fill early, as AC/DC fans poured in from across the region and beyond. Estimates suggested that as many as 15,000 Finnish fans were in attendance — a figure that hardly seems exaggerated given the band’s enduring popularity in Finland. Large groups of people had also arrived from Latvia and Poland, and flags from countries like Germany, Italy, and Spain could be spotted throughout the crowd. AC/DC remains a global unifier, attracting fans of all ages and backgrounds. Thursday’s audience was a testament to that, ranging from teenagers to lifelong rockers in their seventies. The Australian rock legends clearly transcend generations, and for many, their impact runs deeper than just the music.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS

This year, American hard rock/grunge band The Pretty Reckless was the opening act for AC/DC’s European tour. Fronted by vocalist Taylor Momsen, the band—formed in 2009—was mainly new to me before the show. However, I recognized their set opener, “Death by Rock and Roll“, which received notable airplay on Finnish radio. Momsen delivered a confident performance, and the band played solidly. Whether this style of grunge rock resonates with AC/DC’s audience is debatable; personally, it didn’t fully connect with me.

AC/DC

Brian Johnson, who stepped away from touring several years ago due to a ruptured eardrum, made a triumphant return to the stage in 2023. Having already rejoined AC/DC to record their “Power Up” album, he is now back on tour with the band he has fronted for more than four decades. From the opening notes — with heavy hitters like “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It),” “Shut Down in Flames,” and especially “Thunderstruck” — it was clear Johnson’s signature raspy and powerful voice remains as strong as ever. Sporting his iconic hat and a black Harley-Davidson mechanic’s shirt, he greeted the crowd with a broad smile: ‘It’s been too long! But we’re gonna next… play some rock and roll and have a party‘.

And that’s exactly what they delivered. Throughout 21 songs in just over two hours, the band powered through hit after hit. While the tour officially supports their latest album, “Power Up”, only two tracks from it made the setlist, with “Demon Fire” standing out as a particularly strong addition. The rest of the show was wall-to-wall fan favorites: “Hell’s Bells,” “Highway to Hell,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long” were all present and accounted for.

The set leaned heavily on 1970s classics, which will please longtime fans, but it does raise questions about the absence of material from the band’s acclaimed ’80s albums such as “Flick of the Switch”, “Fly on the Wall”, and “Blow Up Your Video”. Likewise, the songs from many newer records like “Ballbreaker, “Black Ice”, and “Rock or Bust” were ignored entirely, “Still Upper Lip” -album title track being the only exception. Given AC/DC’s vast catalogue, it’s understandable they can’t play everything. Still, some variety in the setlist would have been welcome — tracks like “Who Made Who,” “Shake Your Foundations,” “Heatseeker,” or even “Moneytalks” could have offered fresh moments amid the classics.

Seeing Brian Johnson back on stage was a moving moment for many longtime fans. In 2016, it seemed his touring days might be over for good due to serious hearing issues. But now, at 77, Johnson looks and sounds revitalized — arms outstretched, grinning ear to ear, and striding across the stage with infectious energy. Clearly, he has no intention of putting down the microphone anytime soon. His return is nothing short of triumphant.

Among the evening’s highlights were “Riff Raff” and “Sin City,” both delivered with precision and power. The rhythm section — drums and bass — locked in so tightly that the entire venue swayed in a collective rock ’n’ roll groove. “Have a Drink on Me” also stood out, its bluesy swagger offering a welcome shift in tone amid the high-voltage setlist. Before launching into it, Johnson paused to honour Ozzy Osbourne, who had passed away just days earlier on July 22 — a touching gesture from one rock legend to another.

While Brian Johnson may have been the emotional centrepiece of the evening, the night’s undeniable showman was still Angus Young. Donning his signature schoolboy uniform — this time a deep blue velvet — Angus may move with slightly less speed than in his younger years, and his hair is now fully gray, but his energy and stage presence remain undiminished. Watching him duckwalk across the stage, charging down the catwalk with unrelenting passion, was nothing short of electrifying. His playing was as fiery and expressive as ever.

The climax came during the extended rendition of “Let There Be Rock,” where Angus unleashed a nearly 15-minute guitar solo that veered from blistering licks to wild theatrics, all culminating in a dazzling explosion of red, yellow, white, and black confetti. It was a classic AC/DC spectacle — over the top, tightly executed, and utterly captivating.

Behind the scenes but no less essential were guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug, and bassist Chris Chaney. While they largely remained in the shadows to let Johnson and Angus take centre stage, their performances were rock-solid. For fans still nostalgic for longtime members Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams, the change might be noticeable, but this current lineup proved its strength with precision and professionalism. The ensemble was tight from start to finish, a testament to the band’s enduring legacy and ability to adapt without losing its edge.

The Tallinn crowd was all in from the very first note. Packed into the historic Laululava venue, fans sang, shouted, and moved in perfect sync with the band — a sea of fists in the air and voices in full roar. At one point between songs, a spontaneous chant erupted across the audience. Brian Johnson, clearly enjoying the moment, grinned and quipped into the mic, ‘Yeah, we like that shit!‘ Moments later, after a blistering version of “Thunderstruck,” he delivered a crowd-pleasing twist: ‘We just got Tallinn-struck!‘

AC/DC doesn’t need to build toward a climax — every song in their arsenal is a juggernaut. From the explosive opening riff of “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” to the thunderous cannon fire of “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” that closed the night, the energy never dipped. Each track landed like a knockout punch, and the crowd never once lost its momentum. For two hours, Laululava was transformed into a temple of rock ’n’ roll, and AC/DC were the high priests delivering the sermon.

SUMMARY

This year marks an incredible 52 years since AC/DC first plugged in and let it rip. But with advancing age and various health setbacks among the band members, it’s hard to ignore the writing on the wall: the end may be near. Rumors suggest the group’s final curtain call could come as soon as December, when they return home for a series of shows in Australia. If the Tallinn gig turns out to be the last time I see AC/DC live, then so be it — what a way to go out. Brian Johnson and Angus Young were in top form, driving the band forward with the same grit and fire that has made them legends. The performance was tight, powerful, and very much alive.

There’s not much more to add. Just a simple, heartfelt thanks to AC/DC for more than five decades of thunder, sweat, and rock ’n’ roll glory. ‘We Salute You!‘

WWW.ACDC.COM