Power Up Tour Explained

Concert Tour Name:Power Up Tour
Artist:AC/DC
Location:Europe
Album:Power Up
Number Of Shows:24
Attendance:249,497 (4 shows)
Gross:$35.2 million (4 shows)
Last Tour:Rock or Bust World Tour
(2015–2016)
This Tour:Power Up Tour
(2024)
Next Tour:...

The Power Up Tour (stylised as PWR/UP Tour) is an ongoing concert tour by Australian rock band AC/DC, in support of their seventeenth studio album Power Up (2020). The tour began on 17 May 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The Pretty Reckless served as the supporting act for the European leg of the tour.

Background

AC/DC embarked on the Rock or Bust World Tour in May 2015, in support of their sixteenth studio album, Rock or Bust (2014).[1] On 7 March 2016, the members announced that the final ten dates of the tour would be rescheduled as Brian Johnson's doctors had ordered him to stop touring immediately, as he risked complete deafness if he persisted.[2] He was replaced by Guns N' Roses front man Axl Rose on 16 April.[3] Bassist Cliff Williams indicated that he would be leaving AC/DC after the tour during an interview with Gulfshore Lifes Jonathan Foerste on 8 July 2016.[4] After completing the tour, AC/DC went on hiatus. In August 2018, speculation grew that former members Johnson and Rudd were back and working with the band again. A fan living near the Warehouse Studio, Vancouver claimed to have observed them in the outdoor area of the studio from an apartment window.[5] [6] A photograph of Johnson with Williams at the gymnasium of the Living Shangri-La hotel in Vancouver in December 2018 also surfaced, further indicating that Williams had also rejoined the band.[7]

On 7 October 2020, the band confirmed the upcoming release on 13 November of their next studio album, Power Up and issued its first single, "Shot in the Dark".[8] The album's track listing was revealed on their website the same day.[9] AC/DC performed a co-headlining act of the Power Trip music festival, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California on 7 October 2023,[10] [11] with Williams being part of the line-up after coming out of retirement,[12] and American drummer Matt Laug, replacing Rudd.[13] The band have dropped clues, giving "speculation" that they would be going on another tour in 2024;[14] including an appearance in Munich's Olympic Stadium on 12 June 2024.[15] [16] On 6 February 2024, the band published a teaser on their social accounts, showing the band's lightning bolt symbol flickering, before the words "Are You Ready" appear and their song of the same name.[17] [18] [19] The tour was announced on 12 February, with former Jane's Addiction member Chris Chaney replacing Williams as bassist.[20] On 16 February, additional shows were later announced for Seville, Dresden and Hanover.[21] American band The Pretty Reckless are set to support the band for the first European leg.[22]

The band launched five dive bars in Gelsenkirchen, Seville, Munich, London and Paris during the tour, named the High Voltage Dive Bar.[23] A photo of the touring lineup rehearsing for the tour was released on 12 May 2024, a few days before the tour began.[24] The European leg of the tour concluded in Dublin on 17 August 2024.[25]

Ticketing

Alongside the announcement of the tour, it was revealed that a public on-sale for the tour did not happen. Fans could register for a chance to buy tickets through the presale on 16 February 2024 between 9–11 am local times through all dates,[26] except on the second night in Seville, on 20 February at 9:45 am.[27] [28]

A majority of the European dates are marked as "sold out", including in Reggio Emilia, which sold out in "a few hours".[29] In Dublin, fans experience a technical issue with Ticketmaster, where almost 35,000 people are in queue to buy tickets.[30] Meanwhile, some fans were fuming about standing ticket prices being 335 or more, with one person posting on X, saying it is "daylight robbery".[31] On 28 March 2024, Creative Artists Agency co-head Chris Dalston spoke with Pollstar and reported that the band had sold 1.5 million tickets in one day for the upcoming European tour dates.[32] [33]

Set list

The following set list was obtained from the 25 May 2024 show in Reggio Emilia, Italy. It is not intended to represent all dates throughout the tour.[34]

  1. "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)"
  2. "Back in Black"
  3. "Demon Fire"
  4. "Shot Down in Flames"
  5. "Thunderstruck"
  6. "Have a Drink on Me"
  7. "Hells Bells"
  8. "Shot in the Dark"
  9. "Stiff Upper Lip"
  10. "Shoot to Thrill"
  11. "Sin City"
  12. "Rock 'n' Roll Train"
  13. "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
  14. "High Voltage"
  15. "Riff Raff"
  16. "You Shook Me All Night Long"
  17. "Highway to Hell"
  18. "Whole Lotta Rosie"
  19. "Let There Be Rock"
Encore
  1. "T.N.T."
  2. "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"

Alterations

Tour dates

List of 2024 concerts
Date (2024)CityCountryVenueOpening actAttendance<-- Please do not add boxscore numbers without a source from either Billboard or Pollstar. -->Revenue<-- Please do not add boxscore numbers without a source from either Billboard or Pollstar. -->
17 MayGelsenkirchenGermanyVeltins-ArenaThe Pretty Reckless
21 May
25 MayReggio EmiliaItalyRCF Arena
29 MaySevilleSpainEstadio de La Cartuja
1 June
5 JuneAmsterdamNetherlandsJohan Cruyff Arena
9 JuneMunichGermanyOlympiastadion
12 June
16 JuneDresdenOstragehege131,431 / 150,234$17,725,863
19 June
23 JuneViennaAustriaErnst-Happel-Stadion118,066 / 118,066$17,469,813
26 June
29 JuneZürichSwitzerlandLetzigrund
3 JulyLondonEnglandWembley Stadium
7 July
13 JulyHockenheimGermanyHockenheimring
17 JulyStuttgartCannstatter Wasen
21 JulyBratislavaSlovakiaVajnory Airport
27 JulyNurembergGermanyZeppelinfeld
31 JulyHanoverMessegelände
4 August
9 AugustDesselBelgiumFestivalpark Stenehei
13 AugustParisFranceLongchamp Racecourse
17 AugustDublinIrelandCroke Park
Total249,497 / 268,300 (92.99%)$35,195,676

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. News: AC/DC's Malcolm Young departs as new album Rock or Bust announced . 24 September 2014 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140924153656/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/24/acdc-confirm-departure-of-malcolm-young-new-album-rock-or-bust . 24 September 2014 . live . 12 February 2024.
  2. Roffman . Michael . 7 March 2016 . AC/DC Frontman Brian Johnson Ordered 'to Stop Touring Immediately or Risk Total Hearing Loss' . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160315075949/http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/03/acdc-frontman-brian-johnson-ordered-to-stop-touring-immediately-or-risk-total-hearing-loss/ . 15 March 2016 . live . 12 February 2024.
  3. Kreps . Daniel . 16 April 2016 . AC/DC Confirm Axl Rose Is New Lead Singer, Joining Band on Tour . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160417151941/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-confirm-axl-rose-is-new-lead-singer-joining-band-on-tour-20160416 . 17 April 2016 . live . 12 February 2024.
  4. Web site: Foerste . Jonathan . July 2016 . Still Rockin' in Southwest Florida . Gulfshore Life . https://web.archive.org/web/20170612011918/http://www.gulfshorelife.com/July-2016/Still-Rockin-in-Southwest-Florida-ACDC-Cliff-Williams-Brian-Howe-Steve-Luongo/ . 12 June 2017 . dead . 12 February 2024.
  5. Web site: Myhre . Knut Eirik . 8 August 2018 . Brian Johnson tilbake som vokalist i AC/DC . no . Brian Johnson Back as Vocalist in AC/DC . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180808171356/https://www.nettavisen.no/meninger/rockman/siste-brian-johnson-tilbake-som-vokalist-i-acdc/3423522794.html . 8 August 2018 . live . 12 February 2024.
  6. Web site: Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd Appear to Be Back in Studio with AC/DC: Photographic Proof . 8 August 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180808081424/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/brian-johnson-and-phil-rudd-appear-to-be-back-in-studio-with-ac-dc-photographic-proof/ . 8 August 2018 . live . 12 February 2024.
  7. Web site: Kaufman . Spencer . 11 February 2019 . Bassist Cliff Williams May Also Be Back in AC/DC: Report . . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409112038/https://consequence.net/2019/02/report-bassist-cliff-williams-back-in-ac-dc/ . 9 April 2021 . live . 14 February 2024.
  8. Web site: AC/DC's PWR/UP Album Gets Official Release Date; Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams Discuss Recording Process . 9 October 2020 . . 8 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201008130407/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ac-dcs-pwr-up-album-gets-official-release-date-brian-johnson-and-cliff-williams-discuss-recording-process/ . live . 12 February 2024.
  9. Web site: Lifton . Dave . 7 October 2020 . AC/DC's Power Up: Track List, Release Date, Cover Art Revealed . . 7 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201007111358/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ac-dc-power-up-album-details/ . live . 12 February 2024.
  10. Web site: It's Official: AC/DC, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Tool to Perform at Power Trip Festival . . 30 March 2023 . 1 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401111034/https://blabbermouth.net/news/its-official-ac-dc-metallica-guns-n-roses-iron-maiden-ozzy-osbourne-and-tool-to-perform-at-power-trip-festival . live . 12 February 2024.
  11. Lewry . Fraser . 8 October 2023 . 'How Cool Is This? Lovely to See You!': AC/DC Have Completed Their First Show in Seven Years at the Power Trip Festival . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231008093405/https://www.loudersound.com/news/acdc-power-trip-setlist . 8 October 2023 . live . 12 February 2024.
  12. Kreps . Daniel . 9 September 2023 . AC/DC Reveal Retired Bassist Cliff Williams Will Return for Power Trip Fest . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230910060817/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ac-dc-bassist-cliff-williams-return-power-trip-fest-1234821635/ . 10 September 2023 . live . 12 February 2024.
  13. Web site: Lewry . Fraser . 9 September 2023 . AC/DC Share Rehearsal Clip Ahead of Power Trip – and It's Not Phil Rudd in the Drum Seat . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230910060840/https://www.loudersound.com/news/acdc-share-rehearsal-clip-ahead-of-power-trip . 10 September 2023 . live . 12 February 2024.
  14. Web site: Potter . Jordan . 12 September 2023 . Are AC/DC Plotting a World Tour for 'Next Year'? . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915153855/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/ac-dc-plotting-world-tour-next-year/ . 15 September 2023 . live . 12 February 2024.
  15. Web site: AC/DC: Gerüchte um Tour 2024 verdichten sich . AC/DC: Rumors About the 2024 Tour Are Growing . Rock Antenne . de . 9 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114062116/https://www.rockantenne.de/rockwissen/musik-news/acdc-geruechte-um-tour-2024-verdichten-sich . 14 November 2023 . live . 12 February 2024.
  16. Web site: Diallo . Nehne . 10 November 2023 . AC/DC: Gerüchte über Tour 2024, München-Konzert soll feststehen . AC/DC: Rumors About Tour 2024, Munich Concert Should Be Confirmed . de . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110233200/https://www.musikexpress.de/acdd-geruechte-ueber-tour-muenchen-konzert-soll-geplant-sein-2453309/ . 10 November 2023 . live . 12 February 2024.
  17. Web site: Dunworth . Liberty . 6 February 2024 . AC/DC Tease Their Return to Touring: 'Are You Ready?' . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206121242/https://www.nme.com/news/music/ac-dc-tease-their-return-to-touring-are-you-ready-3583196 . 6 February 2024 . live . 12 February 2024.
  18. Reilly . Nick . 6 February 2024 . AC/DC Send Fans Into Frenzy Over 2024 World Tour with Thrilling New Teaser . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206121840/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1863626/AC-DC-2024-world-tour-tease . 6 February 2024 . live . 12 February 2024.
  19. Web site: AC/DC Appears to Be Teasing Announcement of First Tour Dates in Eight Years . . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207053100/https://blabbermouth.net/news/ac-dc-appears-to-be-teasing-announcement-of-first-tour-dates-in-eight-years . 7 February 2024 . live . 12 February 2024.
  20. News: Lewry . Fraser . 12 February 2024 . AC/DC Announce 21-Date Power Up Tour – and a New Bass Player . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212090258/https://www.loudersound.com/news/acdc-announce-2024-tour-dates . 12 February 2024 . live . 12 February 2024.
  21. Web site: AC/DC – Three Shows Added to Spring / Summer 2024 European Tour . . 16 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217041203/https://bravewords.com/news/ac-dc-three-shows-added-to-spring-summer-2024-european-tour . 17 February 2024 . live . 17 February 2024.
  22. Kaufman . Gil . 25 March 2024 . The Pretty Reckless to Support AC/DC on 2024 PWR Up European Tour . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240326065915/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/pretty-reckless-opening-act-ac-dc-2024-european-tour-1235640377/ . 26 March 2024 . live . 25 March 2024.
  23. News: Lewry . Fraser . 26 April 2024 . AC/DC Are Opening Dive Bars in Five European Cities This Summer . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240426030930/https://www.loudersound.com/news/acdc-dive-bars . 26 April 2024 . live . 26 April 2024.
  24. News: Lach . Stef . 12 May 2024 . AC/DC Share First Photo of New 2024 Lineup Featuring Drummer Matt Laug and Bassist Chris Chaney . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20240513072006/https://www.loudersound.com/news/acdc-share-first-photo-of-new-2024-lineup-featuring-drummer-matt-laug-and-bassist-chris-chaney . 13 May 2024 . live . 13 May 2024.
  25. Greene . Andy . Watch AC/DC Wrap Up 2024 Tour With Explosive 'For Those About to Rock' . . 19 August 2024 . 19 August 2024 . 19 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240819161854/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ac-dc-2024-tour-for-those-about-to-rock-we-salute-you-1235082695/ . live .
  26. Web site: AC/DC's Power Up Tour Will Hit 21 Days in 10 Countries This Summer! . Critical Popcorn . 15 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240326102634/https://criticalpopcorn.com/2024/02/15/ac-dcs-power-up-tour-will-hit-21-days-in-10-countries-this-summer/ . 26 March 2024 . live . 1 April 2024.
  27. Web site: AC/DC Adds Three Shows to Spring/Summer 2024 European Tour . . 16 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217025415/https://blabbermouth.net/news/ac-dc-adds-three-shows-to-spring-summer-2024-european-tour . 17 February 2024 . live . 1 April 2024.
  28. Web site: Durieux . Arnaud . 16 February 2024 . Additional Dates Announced for Sevilla, Dresden and Hannover, Most Dates Already Sold-Out . ac-dc.net . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401084416/https://www.ac-dc.net/news1/acdc_news.php?news_id=503 . 1 April 2024 . live . 1 April 2024.
  29. Web site: AC/DC: a poche ore dall'apertura vendite l'unica data italiana del Power Up Tour è Sold Out! . 16 February 2024 . AC/DC: Just a Few Hours After Opening Sales the Only Italian Date of the Power Up Tour Is Sold Out! . Barley Arts . https://web.archive.org/web/20240326100008/https://barleyarts.com/en/ac-dc-a-poche-ore-dallapertura-vendite-lunica-data-italiana-del-power-up-tour-e-sold-out/ . 26 March 2024 . live . 1 April 2024.
  30. Web site: Tickets for AC/DC's Croke Park Date on Sale This Morning as Fans Experience Technical Issues . . 16 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240216102404/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/tickets-for-acdcs-croke-park-date-on-sale-this-morning-as-fans-experience-technical-issues/a1861337591.html . 16 February 2024 . live . 1 April 2024.
  31. Web site: Power . David . 16 February 2024 . 'Daylight Robbery' – AC/DC Fans Fume on Social Media Over Prices for Croke Park Gig . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240216190817/https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/arts---entertainment/1424987/daylight-robbery-acdc-fans-fume-on-social-media-over-prices-for-croke-park-gig.html . 16 February 2024 . live . 1 April 2024.
  32. Web site: AC/DC Sold 1.5 Million Tickets In One Day For Upcoming European Tour: 'It's Staggering' . . 28 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240330011400/https://blabbermouth.net/news/ac-dc-sold-1-5-million-tickets-in-one-day-for-upcoming-european-tour-its-staggering . 30 March 2024 . live . 8 April 2024.
  33. Pittman . Sarah . 28 March 2024 . CAA's Chris Dalston Talks AC/DC Selling 1.5M Tickets in a Day . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408033357/https://news.pollstar.com/2024/03/28/caas-chris-dalston-talks-ac-dc-selling-1-5-million-tickets-in-a-day-and-state-of-international-touring/ . 8 April 2024 . live . 10 April 2024.
  34. Web site: AC/DC: guarda le foto più belle e la scaletta del concerto a Reggio Emilia . AC/DC: Look At the Most Beautiful Photos and the Concert Lineup in Reggio Emilia . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240526003646/https://www.virginradio.it/gallery/foto/1369350/ac-dc-guarda-le-foto-piu-belle-e-la-scaletta-del-concerto-a-reggio-emilia.html . 26 May 2024 . live . 26 May 2024.
  35. News: Lewry . Fraser . 17 May 2024 . AC/DC Have Played the First Show of the Power Up Tour as New Bassist Chris Chaney Joins the Party – Watch Videos . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517213728/https://www.loudersound.com/news/ac-dc-gelsenkirchen-setlist . 17 May 2024 . live . 17 May 2024.