AC/DC HAMMERSMITH LONDON 06/05/11 (GIG)

There aren’t many Rock bands in the world that can stage a World Premiere DVD launch with no promise of a live set and get away with it but not only do AC/DC do that but they still manage to command a 2000 strong crowd outside to cheer them into London’s famous Hammersmith Apollo. Of course the ’Doors open at 6.30,show starts at 7.30’ schedule goes completely out of the window as 7.30 fast approaches with only a fleeting glimpse of The Stereophonics and a few Sony bigwigs to keep the throng on their toes although the delay did give us chance to nab Malcolm’s son Ross and get confirmation that there would not be any live stuff from the band tonight. It never ceases to amaze me the Worldwide pulling power of the AC/DC brand and tonight’s no exception with banners from Italy, Uruguay, Argentina, U.S.A., Germany, France and…..Newcastle proudly on display. I guess it’s because that with AC/DC you know what you’re going to get, lets face it the set list hasn’t changed much at all in the last 30 years! And therein lies the appeal, a winning formula of no nonsense, foot tapping, head banging Rock ’n’ Roll.
Finally the boys fair spring out of their blacked out car (minus Phil Rudd who’s still in New Zealand) to the inevitable media frenzy of cameras and microphones and fans thrusting albums cd’s and various other merch under their noses in the hope of getting them signed and to be fair the band do their best to stay awhile to ’meet and greet’ before being whisked away to do the media interviews proper whilst we mere mortals are left to trudge zig zag fashion into the venue.
The boy’s walk on stage briefly to thank the mass legion of people that made this DVD possible and then exit stage left to wild applause as we finally settle down in front of the huge screen to watch the show which starts off with a quiet hilarious but strange intro from Ozzy before we witness the totally mental River Plate crowd lap up every second of the AC/DC live experience.
A couple of hours later we emerge into London’s night sky with huge grins and satisfaction in knowing that another album and tour are very very probable in 2 or 3 years time.
It may well be a long way to the top if you wanna Rock’n’Roll but boy is it good when you get there.