AC/DC
14.05.2010, Vassil Levski stadium, Sofia - Bulgaria

words by Jon Bonev, photo:В Jassen Nemski (profi), Jon Bonev (amateur).В 

I'm not a big fan of stadium shows, but unfortunately AC/DC is one of the few bands in the world, that can't be seen live in a smaller venue or a club, so anyway that's the only option.

The massiveness of this event is not a surprise for anybody – band's crew is in Sofia since the beginning of the week, building up the stage and doing sound checks very active in the last few days.

There's a hectic preparation out there - finally the day of the show comes up, bringing happiness to the 60 thousands planning to be at the stadium, and hard times to the rest of the one and a half million citizens of Sofia – mostly for those blocked in the ridiculous traffic, cause by the partial blockade of the city center and streets around Vasil Levski.

Unlike the crazy traffic in the city during the day, at afternoon around the stadium everything looks cool and the organization of the crowd movement goes smoothly.

I get in the stadium a little later, as I wanted to skip the cheesy-old-fashioned rock of the local opener Konkurent, but still I catch the final refrain “give me time, give me time for love” - fortunately that's their last song for today

Shortly after, the crew is already setting up the stage for the titans and stadium is getting crowded – around 9 am it already looks almost full. Very impressive view by the way! At least 1/3 of the people out there wear the red horns, bought at the merch-tables in front.

You can see the mexican wave, the long beer-lines and well-proportioned ladies with only Wonderbra's, hanging on the shoulders of exhausted guys - plus all the other cliches of stadium rock.

Straight at 9,15 stage lights went on, as well as the intro, the screens play a funny AC/DC-comic-cartoon, crowd level of euphoria is on the maximum and BOOOOOOM: Angus Young and his command are in front of us.

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Beginning is of course exciting and euphoric. Rock N' Roll Train – hands up, thousands of flash-lights, the sea of people and red horns waggle. This show is really spectacular.

I've always liked AC/DC and although never been their hardest fan, always wanted to see them and check if all the superlatives are true – well yes, it is really spectacular... but honestly, at the second song already I start to ask myself, is it really so exciting to watch these grandfathers...

Well, all those thoughts left my mind, 5 seconds after the first chords of the third song of their set-list: Back In Black! All of a sudden I also forget about my theory that there's nothing exciting for me at show of bands that are older than myslef. Because when you hear the original of one of the greatest songs in the history of this music, alive – and there's 60 thousand people around you singing along, playing air-guitars and getting over-excited, there's no way you don't goose bumps.

From here on everything continues in a strict schedule, the AC/DC-train goes through small and big stations – through their all-time classics and not so “all-time” newer songs. No surprises at all – but that's the best part of AC/DC.

At a certain point, during The Jack, Angus throws down the guitar as well as his ridiculous high-school uniform, which today looks even more ridiculous, having in mind his age - doing it in a improvised striptease-way. We see that he owns nice underwear of his band.

A little later, there's of course a long guitar-solo of the half-naked mr.Young, who goes deep inside the crowd therein, through the stage “quay” and even goes up with a special platform – the final part of the already a little boring solo is celebrated by a astonishing light-effects and even “snow” above the heads of the front line crowd. Really beautiful view.

Next are the mandatory AC/DC classics and of course the ultimate final part with For Those About To Rock, pumped with full force of their light show and pyrotechnics, round-bangs and so on. “Thank you and goodnight!” The End! But not quite – band has already left the stage, but giving us a final present – a very nice farewell retreat (illumination show).
19 songs – hour and 55 minutes straight!

О The exceptions are totally fulfilled – we all have heard of the this, but when you feel it and see it with your own eyes, the affect is really astonishing.

Mega-professionalism at all levels from the company called AC/DC – high quality product, absolutely living up to it's price and reputation.

For sure AC/DC are not virtuoso musicians, neither the most original song-writers – but that doesn't keep them away of being one of the greatest bands ever. And although a little rusty, they do perfect what everyone expects from them. That was definitely a show worth seeing!