It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)
Here is a report of the exceptional AC/DC concert I have attended.
Index:
Introduction
It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)
Angus Young as a way of life
Conclusion
Introduction
I still cannot quite figure out that I have actually attended an AC/DC concert in 2024. It has been such an incredible experience that I couldn’t help but having a post-concert depression. So many emotions were going on inside of me during that day and, as the show ended, I felt at the same time incredibly fulfilled and extremely empty.
I felt an enormous sense of fulfillment because, I mean… I saw fuckin’ AC/DC (a.k.a. one of my favorite bands of all times) live! However, in the meantime, I also felt a little bit empty and lost as the concert finished because it is so difficult to go back to “normal life” after having attended such a breathtaking show. Not everyone has the opportunity to say that they have seen their idols performing live but I can. Hereby, it is tremendously hard to go back home after having lived one of the best experiences in my life. It is definitely a memory that will remain imprinted in my heart forever.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)
On May 25th, 2024 I attended AC/DC’s concert at RFC Arena in Reggio Emilia.
Right before the concert started, I was wondering what the meaning of the song’s name It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll) was. Yet, I guess I discovered it during that night.
I hadn’t been feeling quite well from the beginning of the day and it just kept getting worse as the hours passed. I had a terrible headache and had no medicine with me. I hoped that it would get better with time but, as you can imagine, a rock concert is not quite the best environment for someone with headache.
While the supporting band The Pretty Reckless was playing, I threw up three times so the paramedics tought it would have been better for me if I went to the infirmary to be better checked by the doctor. As I was also having some kind of seizures, they took me to the infirmary on a stretcher.
While I was getting two intravenous drip, AC️/DC came on stage and started playing. Unfortunately, I had to listen to a couple of songs - including Thunderstruck, my personal favorite - laid on the infirmary’s stretcher (the view from there wasn’t that bad though!).
Following this misadventure, as soon as I recovered, I went back there as if nothing had happened and jumped, shouted, sung, headbanged and screamed as it was supposed to be from the beginning.
So, coming back to the meaning of that sentence… It Has Been a Long Way to the Top but, in the end, I Rocked ’n’ Rolled!
I would not have been able to watch at least part of the concert if it were not for my father. He always kept on trying to find solutions for my sickness during the whole day, despite my refusals. He asked me multiple times if I wanted to go somewhere less crowded so that I could relax better and, when I could not take it anymore – as I was also struggling to stay on my feet - he took me arm-in-arm to a more secluded area. Even when they took me to the infirmary, he never left my side although AC/DC is a band that he also loves very much. He stood by my side, hold my hand and stayed with me until I fully recovered and was able to leave the infirmary.
I am so very grateful to him for what he has done for me that night. But more generally, I am incredibly grateful to have such a loving, caring and helpful dad like him.
Angus Young as a way of life
Being myself a guitarist, I have to admit that seeing master Angus Young performing on stage right before my eyes has been beyond amazing. Words can really not fully explain what this experience has meant to me and - mishaps aside - that night I was so happy like few other times before.
Angus Young is indeed one of my biggest inspirations, not only as a musician but also as a person. He obviously is (at least in my opinion) one of the best guitarists of all time but his personality is also worthy of great esteem. Nevertheless being almost in his 70s, he still has a huge energy and does not let his old age stop him from continuing to perform live. Angus is definitely unstoppable and he is one of the most striking living examples of “the show must go on”.
He has given us, once more, the demonstration that age is just a number and that nothing can stop you from continuing to do what you love if that is truly what you feel in your heart to be your greatest desire.
I am very skeptical and insecure of myself when I pick up my guitar and start to play because I think that, no matter how much I practice, I will never be good enough. However, I think that Angus gave me a bit more of confidence and strength to keep going.
When you see Angus performing live, you cannot think anything but “Gosh, I wanna be like that man!”. Whether you may be an AC/DC fan or not, his energy is truly enviable. You can really feel his energy just by looking at him or listening to him playing his guitar. Saying he is so energetic would be too belittling. He is a force of nature and – whether being an aspirant musician or not – one cannot do anything but striving to have at least one-fifth of the energy he has at that age.
Conclusion
Apart from the mishap, this concert was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Nevertheless being in their 70s, those men still rock like fuckin’ hell.
Brian Johnson stars showing the signs of old age but, I mean… he’s got one of the highest-pitched voices in the world of music so, considering his 76 years of age, he still sounds terrific.
For what concerns Angus Young… well, a whole essay dedicated to him wouldn’t be enough. With his typical school boy look, he gave out a performance that is beyond breathtaking.
He frequently did the duckwalk1 which is one of his trademarks. But as if it weren’t enough, he jumped while strumming, he played with a single hand on the fretboard and he literally rolled around the stage still while playing his Gibson SG.
You think that is enough? Then you are absolutely wrong.
That 69 years old man played a guitar solo that lasted AT LEAST FIFTEEN minutes and I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes and ears.
I have always been, I was during the concert, I still am and I will forever be in awe of that man. While most of his peers are retired, he still comes on that stage and makes it tremble just like he’s been doing for the past 51 years. Needless to say he’s one of my biggest inspiration, one the reason I decided to take up guitar and one of the worthiest of esteem people in the whole world.
AC️/DC band members are in their 70s and yet they still have much more energy than most of the people far younger than them.
What else to say… LET THERE BE ROCK!
I have put down here some clips of the videos I have taken during the concert, hope you enjoy!
If you want to see some more photos and videos, do not forget to check my Instagram and follow me on there too. If you like, here are the direct links to my Letterboxd and TikTok accounts as well.
The duckwalk is a form of dance performed by assuming a low partial squatting position and walking forwards, maintaining the low stance. It is similar to stalking and prowling. It is most widely known as a stage element of guitar showmanship popularized by rock 'n' roll guitarist Chuck Berry. AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, whose musical style was heavily influenced by Chuck Berry, also does a duckwalk, in the form of a one-legged hop, in his shows.