Tulsa newspaper review of 01/26/2009 concert
Monty Morton
In review: AC/DC at the BOK
By Jennifer Chancellor World Scene Writer
Published: 1/27/2009 12:46 AM
Last Modified: 1/27/2009 12:46 AM
The cold and inclement weather didn't stop those about to rock at the
BOK Center on Monday night.
The rock and roll train rumbled into the center and crashed onto the
stage, a cartoonish Angus Young shoveled coals into the speeding
behemoth as the real thing pounded out the intro to "Rock and Roll
Train," from the band's new album, "Black Ice."
A life-size steam engine with "AC/DC" emblazoned on it rumbled onto
the stage.
Early, lines were sparse and quick-moving in the freezing rain, which
sent wind chills plummeting below 15 degrees Monday evening.
Thousands arrived early and security personnel ushered fans into the
warm foyer of the arena, where they huddled until seating opened at
6:30 p.m. By 9:15, the venue was nearly full.
A near-capacity crowd dripped sweat as pyrotechnics ushered them far
from the slick roadways outside and into musical purgatory with hits
including "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Hells Bells," "Back in
Black," "Thunderstruck" and "You Shook Me All Night Long," and new
tunes including "Black Ice" and "War Machine."
As if anyone would forget who they came to see, the AC/DC logo loomed
large on everything – the steam engine; the huge ringing bell; the
cartoon bombers blasted onto projection screens and fighting giant
logo-masted pirate ships while tanktop-wearing go-go dancers dancing
on logoed Army tanks; the briefs Angus Young flashed the audience …
and probably most spectacularly, the tattooed-arm, stories-tall,
ample-chested inflatable Rosie that bucked atop the train to "Whole
Lotta Rosie."
And then there
were the cannons. Six of them. They went off. A lot. And nothing says
rock 'n' roll like artillery fire.
These Aussies know that nothing's more American than excess. From the
rows and rows of Marshall amps to the hyperspeed version of "Let There
Be Rock" - replete with career-spanning montage culminating in Young's
10-minute-plus guitar solo atop an elevated platform above the crowd,
with no whammy bar, no wah pedal, just punch-drunk Young pushing his
legendary Gibson SG to the limit.
Brian Johnson's trademark sneer and clenched-jaw yelp ignited the
audience as he swayed from a giant bell clapper on "Hells Bells," then
he jumped off, ran across the stage, planted a foot on a monitor and
pointed at the feral audience. As the band transitioned into "Shoot to
Thrill," he yelled, "A-ha! That's rock and roll! Right there!"
And. The. Crowd. Went. Wild!
Few words come to mind to accurately explain the overall culmination
of the night's over-the-top arena show. One is, ridiculous.
The other two are, totally awesome.
By Jennifer Chancellor World Scene Writer
Eduardo G.
Set list
Rock and Roll Train
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
Back in Black
Big Jack
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Thunderstruck
Black Ice
The Jack
Hells Bells
Shoot to Thrill
War Machine
Anything Goes
You Shook Me All Night Long
TNT
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
(Angus Young Solo)
Encore: Highway to Hell, For Those About to Rock