By Peggy Phillips
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 4/20/25 – AC/DC once again proved why they remain one of the best-selling and most electrifying rock bands in history, with over 200 million records sold worldwide. On April 18, 2025, the legendary group lit up the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena as they kicked off the U.S. leg of their Power Up tour, marking their first American run in nearly a decade. This was my second time witnessing AC/DC live; the first was at the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where they launched their Rock or Bust world tour, delivering a blistering return to the stage after a six-year hiatus. The lineup for AC/DC’s explosive 2025 Rose Bowl performance featured Angus Young (lead guitar), Brian Johnson (vocals), Stevie Young (rhythm guitar), Matt Laug (drums), and Chris Chaney (bass).
Kicking off the night with raw intensity was The Pretty Reckless, the fierce New York City rock band fronted by Taylor Momsen, joined by Ben Phillips, Mark Damon, and Jamie Perkins. Since forming in 2009, the band has carved out a powerful presence in the hard rock scene. Their 2010 debut album Light Me Up set the stage for a series of successes, including their hit single “Death by Rock and Roll,” which soared to No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart, perfectly priming the crowd for a night of pure, unapologetic rock.
Check out our short video we took:
From the moment AC/DC hit the stage, they unleashed a full-throttle stadium rock spectacle. The theatrics, the lightning-fast licks, the blazing video displays—every moment was a masterclass in rock showmanship. Angus Young, now 70, stormed the stage in his iconic schoolboy uniform, stomping down the catwalk with the same explosive energy and moves that made him a legend.
Brian Johnson’s iconic vocals soared once again, thanks in part to special in-ear monitors designed to protect his hearing. After battling hearing loss that once sidelined his career, Johnson’s return is nothing short of triumphant. His falsetto-laced vocals and signature raspy bluesy riffs embody the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll and sliced through the Rose Bowl night with fierce power.
AC/DC’s 17th studio album, Power Up (2020), hit Number One in 21 countries, becoming one of the year’s top-selling records—a powerful reminder that the band’s sound remains as electrifying as ever. While the absence of founding guitarist Malcolm Young was felt, his nephew Stevie Young carried the torch with grace, honoring the legacy with every riff. Anchoring the performance, Chris Chaney on bass and Matt Laug on drums delivered a rhythm section that was both seismic and unstoppable.
As the cannons roared and fireworks lit up the Pasadena sky, it was clear: AC/DC is not just back—they’re unstoppable. Legends may age, but they never fade.
The setlist was a dream for diehard fans:
If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Shot Down in Flames
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Highway to Hell
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
High Voltage
Riff Raff
You Shook Me All Night Long
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
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Links:
AC/DC Official Website
Power Up Album Info
The Pretty Reckless
The Hollywood Times – Peggy Phillips Articles
