Highly refined rock opera from one of the biggest bands in the world.
The Answer came on later than scheduled and was still playing to an empty arena. With severe delays on the Jubilee line most AC/DC fans were starting cab share schemes from various parts of Greenwich. What started off as a big opportunity for the Answer has been neutered by the London Underground.
Luckily for The Answer AC/DC has such a fanatical fan-base it seemed that most people had already caught the show on the Tuesday night. Their brand of energetic classic rock certainly went down smoothly with the DC fans that had made it inside, riff after riff The Answer delivered.
As the cavernous venue filled an assembled throng of metal-heads sporting leather and patches mixed with workers who’d come straight from the office. It was a diverse demographic united by flashing devil horns that greeted what might be the greatest opening to a concert ever conceived.
A cartoon sequence showing Angus and two buxom young ladies on a runaway train ended up going all ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and a real train wreck burst through to the stage. This signalled the start of ‘Rock And Roll Train’ the only truly great moment of last year’s Black Ice release.
What followed was an absolutely textbook performance. AC/DC were never likely to produce any surprises, indeed the only risk they took turned out to be their only error. The band included a few too many from their last release; a charge that can be made of nearly every legendary touring band. For many ‘Black Ice’ and ‘War Machine’ signalled the chance to nip to the bar.
By the time the band ripped into another classic the crowd were rushing back to their seats. The set had been honed and choreographed to perfection; undeniably it was a sight to behold. Angus and Brian Johnston worked the crowd while the rhythm section stayed tight centre stage, the walkway was utilised during every song and Angus broke into his duck-walk at every opportunity.
The O2 crowd were treated to all of their signature props, from the inflatable woman for ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ to the giant bell for ‘Hell’s Bells’ and best of all the cannons during ‘For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)’. At one point we saw Angus solo from a rotating extendible platform in the centre of the arena.
Smiles abound, a majority of the audience testify that the show was the greatest they have ever seen, for AC/DC it was absolutely routine.
Rating: 9/10