Not quite so young AC/DC set to return

Guitarist Angus Young is the only original member of AC/DC but that won’t stop the rock icons rolling through Perth in November.

The band, formed in 1973, revealed Australian dates for their Rock or Bust world tour last month.

On November 27, AC/DC return to Domain Stadium, where they played two mammoth concerts during their Black Ice tour five years ago.

Though they sold more than 750,000 tickets on that Australasian tour, promoter Garry Van Egmond insists they can beat their own record despite missing cogs.

Rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young is in care with dementia with his and Angus’ nephew Stevie Young filling in.

Welshman Chris Slade, drummer on 1990 album The Razors Edge and hit single Thunderstruck, replaces long-time member Phil Rudd, who is on trial in New Zealand for threatening to kill and drug possession.

Brian Johnson, who joined AC/DC in 1980 after the death of Fremantle-raised frontman Bon Scott, and long-serving bassist Cliff Williams round out the band.

The new line-up has not hurt sales in Europe, where the band sold 1.75 million tickets in 24 hours last month.

AC/DC also played at California’s Coachella festival before kicking off the Rock or Bust tour in the Netherlands on May 5.

The North American dates span August and September before Accadacca head to their spiritual home.

For the Australian leg, 52 trucks and a 100-strong crew will carry the band’s massive production around capital cities, starting in Sydney on November 4. AC/DC set tickets at $159 for general admission and $99 for reserved seating behind the GA area.

Mr Van Egmond, who has promoted every AC/DC tour since 1985, expects 42,000 fans to attend the Domain Stadium gig.

He credited AC/DC’s intergenerational appeal for their continued pulling power. “We’ve had grandfathers, fathers and sons going, ” Mr Van Egmond said. “Our female audience has also become very big.”

Tickets went on sale on April 20.