The Power Up Tour (stylised as PWR/UP Tour) is an ongoing concert tour by Australian rock band AC/DC, in support of their seventeenth studio album Power Up (2020). The tour began on 17 May 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The Pretty Reckless serves as the supporting act for the European leg and the upcoming North American leg.
Background
AC/DC embarked on the Rock or Bust World Tour in May 2015, in support of their sixteenth studio album, Rock or Bust (2014).[2] On 7 March 2016, the members announced that the final ten dates of the tour would be rescheduled as Brian Johnson's doctors had ordered him to stop touring immediately, as he risked complete deafness if he persisted.[3] He was replaced by Guns N' Roses front man Axl Rose on 16 April.[4] Bassist Cliff Williams indicated that he would be leaving AC/DC after the tour during an interview with Gulfshore Life's Jonathan Foerste on 8 July 2016.[5] After completing the tour, AC/DC went on hiatus. In August 2018, speculation grew that former members Johnson and Rudd were back and working with the band again. A fan living near the Warehouse Studio, Vancouver claimed to have observed them in the outdoor area of the studio from an apartment window.[6] A photograph of Johnson with Williams at the gymnasium of the Living Shangri-La hotel in Vancouver in December 2018 also surfaced, further indicating that Williams had also rejoined the band.[7]
On 7 October 2020, the band confirmed the upcoming release on 13 November of their next studio album, Power Up and issued its first single, "Shot in the Dark".[8] The album's track listing was revealed on their website the same day.[9] AC/DC performed a co-headlining act of the Power Trip music festival, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California on 7 October 2023,[10][11] with Williams being part of the line-up after coming out of retirement,[12] and American drummer Matt Laug, replacing Rudd.[13] The band have dropped clues, giving "speculation" that they would be going on another tour in 2024;[14] including an appearance in the Olympiastadion in Munich on 12 June 2024.[15][16]
On 6 February 2024, the band published a teaser on their social accounts, showing the band's lightning bolt symbol flickering, before the words "Are You Ready" appear and their song of the same name.[17] The tour was announced on 12 February, with former Jane's Addiction member Chris Chaney replacing Williams as bassist.[18] On 16 February, additional shows were later announced for Seville, Dresden and Hanover.[19] American band The Pretty Reckless are set to support the band for the first European leg.[1] The band launched five dive bars in Gelsenkirchen, Seville, Munich, London and Paris during the tour, named the High Voltage Dive Bar.[20] A photo of the touring lineup rehearsing for the tour was released on 12 May 2024, a few days before the tour began.[21] The European leg of the tour concluded in Dublin on 17 August 2024.[22]
Following rumours about the announcement of a North American tour,[23] the band announced shows in the United States and Canada on 2 December 2024, consisting of thirteen shows to take place from April to May in 2025, with The Pretty Reckless as the opening act.[24][25]
Ticketing
Alongside the announcement of the tour, it was revealed that a public on-sale for the tour did not happen. Fans could register for a chance to buy tickets through the presale on 16 February 2024 between 9–11 am local times through all dates,[26] except on the second night in Seville, on 20 February at 9:45 am.[27][28]
A majority of the European dates are marked as "sold out",[28] including in Reggio Emilia, which sold out in "a few hours".[29] In Dublin, fans experience a technical issue with Ticketmaster, where almost 35,000 people are in queue to buy tickets.[30] Meanwhile, some fans were fuming about standing ticket prices being €335 or more, with one person posting on X, saying it is "daylight robbery".[31] On 28 March 2024, Creative Artists Agency co-head Chris Dalston spoke with Pollstar and reported that the band had sold 1.5 million tickets in one day for the upcoming European tour dates.[32][33]
Set list
This set list was taken from the 25 May 2024 show in Reggio Emilia, Italy. It is not intended to represent all dates throughout the tour.[34]
During the first and last show in Gelsenkirchen, "Givin' the Dog a Bone", "Dog Eat Dog" and "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" were added to the set list.[35]
During the show in Paris, "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" replaced "Shot Down in Flames".[36]