AC/DC Shows Signs of Wear: Fans Urge ‘Retire’ After Viral Gig Footage
No punches pulled: AC/DC’s latest gig footage has reignited a debate among legions of rock devotees. The iconic Australian band, known for relentless energy and Angus Young’s trademark duckwalk, appears subdued in clips grazing two million views on YouTube in under 48 hours. According to the New York Post, the video—shot from the lower bowl at a mid-July arena stop—captures sluggish pacing, muted crowd response and trademark riffs played without their usual snap.
Billboard analyzed the clip and noted the tempo felt “a shade off,” while Rolling Stone highlighted fans’ blistering comments on Twitter, where #RetireACDC trended overnight. One fan tweeted, “Brian’s vocals feel tired,” and another added, “Angus looks like he’s on a coffee break,” fueling chatter that the band’s twilight years may be in full view. Social media metrics show engagement jumped 120 percent after fan account AC/DCWorldwide shared side-by-side comparisons of this summer’s set and a celebrated 2015 stadium show, underscoring a contrast fans can’t ignore.
Industry insiders tell Celebrity Storm the band’s management is monitoring the fallout but remains publicly tight-lipped. Press reps did not respond to requests for comment via email or phone. However, veteran rock promoter Lisa Hartman, in an exclusive interview with SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation (alluded to by Rolling Stone), defended the group’s longevity: “They’re legends for a reason. A single rough night doesn’t rewrite history.” Yet, Hartman admitted that sustaining high-voltage performances after five decades on the road is “a tall order.”
While AC/DC’s setlist remains unchanged—delivering staples like “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell”—audience chatter suggests that even diehard concertgoers expected more spark. Some suggest technical issues plagued the night, pointing to uneven sound mixing captured in the viral clip. Others fear age may be creeping in: drummer Phil Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams reached retirement-eligible milestones years ago, and founding member Angus Young is now 70.
Despite the noise, ticket sales for upcoming European dates are reportedly robust, per industry tracker Pollstar. That raises the question: are fans demanding a full stop or just a course correction? What’s clear is that AC/DC’s next moves—whether a revamped setlist, scaled-back tour or formal retirement announcement—will dominate headlines.
And there you have it. It’s your call whether this is a momentary stumble or the opening act to an exit. Make of that what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Billboard, Rolling Stone
Attribution: Martin Meissner (Creative Commons)
