Back in Black at the Bowl: AC/DC Rocks America’s Stadium
- Kasey Cahen
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
When legendary rock band AC/DC, stormed the Rose Bowl stage Friday night as part of their long-awaited Power Up Tour, Pasadena didn’t just witness a concert, it experienced a rock resurrection. The Australian legends delivered a powerhouse performance that shook “America’s Stadium” to its core, reminding Los Angeles why they remain the gold standard of live rock.
The Rose Bowl, with over a century of iconic history, has hosted everything from Olympic ceremonies to U2 and Beyoncé. There was something unmistakably electric about lead guitaries Angus Young duckwalking across that historic stage, tearing into “Thunderstruck” as the stadium pulsed with energy. This was more than music. It was LA Living in its rawest, loudest form—sunset skies, iconic venue, and pure rock spectacle.
The setlist was a thunderous journey through AC/DC’s greatest hits, from the opening blast of “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” to the roaring encore of “TNT.” The crowd erupted for classics like “Back in Black,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Angus Young’s blistering guitar solo during “Let There Be Rock” sent the energy into overdrive, while “Highway to Hell” turned the entire stadium into a pulse-pounding celebration of rock history. Newer songs like “Demon Fire” and “Shot in the Dark” seamlessly held their own alongside the classics, proving the band hasn’t lost a single volt of their voltage.
Formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, AC/DC has defied the odds for over five decades. Their 1980 album Back in Black remains one of the best-selling of all time, and their signature sound—riff-heavy, unapologetic, and relentless—still hits just as hard. At the Rose Bowl, every anthem became a communal experience. Generations of fans, from teens to lifelong devotees, raised fists and devil horns in reverence.
The synergy between the band and the Rose Bowl was undeniable. The stadium’s acoustics turned every power chord into a wave, and the backdrop of palm trees and starlit skies made the night feel cinematic. It was a reminder that LA doesn’t just set the stage—it is the stage.
This wasn’t just a nostalgia act. AC/DC proved they’re still a force. With decades of history and loss behind them, they’ve weathered lineup changes and shifting trends without ever compromising who they are. Their return to Southern California felt like a victory lap—and the Rose Bowl, with its rich cultural and entertainment legacy, was the perfect place to run it.
From start to finish, the night was a celebration of legacy, electricity, and the power of live music to unite generations. Loud, legendary, and unmistakably LA, this was more than a concert.
This was LA Living.
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