Photos + Review by Sharon Steele – The AC/DC Power Up Tour hit Vancouver for its second round of 2026, continuing its tour to a packed audience at BC Place Stadium. There are some bands that simply know what their audience wants, and AC/DC is one of them.
Openers The Pretty Reckless brought their energetic hard-rock sound and did a very good job of entertaining the audience, with singer Taylor Momsen showing her command of the stage throughout their set.
With a 21-song set list that is pretty well cemented and hasn’t changed much since the last date, it allows the two original members, Angus Young and Brian Johnson, to do what they do best with a reliable, proven formula.
When the lights went down, you could see all the flashing red devil horns light up throughout the stadium. Then the band started with “If You Want Blood,” and you knew there was going to be no easing into a show with this band. You get what you expect: hard riffs, thumping rhythms, bad-boy boogie-infused rock and gritty vocals.
That was followed by “Back in Black,” and the band continued to power through hit after hit, including “Hells Bells,” with the famous bell coming down from the top of the stage.
The stage itself was simple, with one large ramp heading out toward the centre and a smaller one to the side. Three large screens provided additional visuals. There were also two different cannons—real ones, with no ammunition, of course—as well as confetti cannons that fired AC/DC and “Hells Bells” artwork into the air.
The rhythm section was made up of drummer Matt Laug, bassist Chris Chaney and Angus’s nephew, Stevie Young, on guitar.
Wearing a green velour schoolboy suit, 71-year-old Angus Young just ripped through his masterful guitar riffs with ease. He can still pull off the Chuck Berry-inspired duckwalk down the ramp with proverbial ease, showing that age has done little to slow him down.
Brian Johnson’s vocals are not what they used to be, but the rawness is still there. He knows this, and because everything else about Johnson still lands perfectly, it doesn’t take away from the overall performance.
They were here to do what they do best—play rock and roll. Heck, it’s AC/DC.
Angus’s guitar work was exemplary and was showcased with a lengthy guitar solo during “Let There Be Rock.” For some, it may have been a bit too long, but I loved it. I also loved when he pulled off his tie and used it like a violin bow across the guitar strings during “Shoot to Thrill.”
The encore consisted of “T.N.T.” and “For Those About to Rock.” You could tell by watching everyone leave that they were very happy—some a little drunker than when they arrived, but all carrying their merchandise, sharing stories and taking home some great memories from the night.
They all got what they came for: AC/DC doing what AC/DC does best—playing rock and roll and putting on a great concert.
