Vol #191: AC/DC Rocks Cleveland!!!

Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #191: AC/DC Rocks Cleveland!!!

May 28, 2025

Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH

Good day to you, my most beloved reader. It is with great pleasure that I sit down today to tell you of my most recent concert experience. I am of course referencing last Wednesday’s sold out AC/DC show at Cleveland Browns Stadium, currently called Huntington Bank Field. This was a major event in the Cleveland Concert calendar and I had been anxiously awaiting it for months. I was traveling in a quartet, with me was my dad and two brothers. We left the homestead around 5 and headed west. Things initially went well, I puffed continuously on my vape, as my brothers dutifully pounded beers. Along the way I also got into my bag of gummies, and started the ride off with a pair. Buzzes ever increasing we were in high spirits, no pun intended, as we motored along route 90. That is until we hit… THE TRAFFIC. You see, in preparation for the concert the city of Cleveland had closed the East 9th street exit ramp. As such there was a whole lot of confusion as you approached downtown, and things slooooooowed down. For miles outside of town it was deadlock, and things were inching along. This aggravated me, as I was set to rendezvous with a group of the homies to pregame. Watching time tick by, I chose to focus on my vape, rather than to stew in anxiety. It was, what it was. All in good time we made around Dead Man’s Curve and magically things loosened up. Soon enough we were maneuvering the city streets and searching for an acceptable lot. We found one off Lakeside and set up shop. It was an old fashioned Cleveland Tailgate from there. Food, Booze, Reefer and Rock N’ Roll. Voting to skip the opening act, we bought ourselves a few hours in the lot and we made the most of it. In top form we eventually headed to the stadium, through security and in. We weaved our way through a crowd, in which it seemed that every other person was adorned in devil horns. Amazingly I found the lost homies and we got the converse for a few minutes. I bought a t-shirt, then it was off to our seats in a whirlwind. I walked into a sea of people. I’ve been to big shows, sure, plenty of them. And I’ve been to sold out Browns games. But I have never seen so many people packed into the stadium before. It was amazing. From ground to sky, the front row to the nose bleeds, the house was stacked. So we settled in and waited.

An intro video began to play. It featured a souped up Hot Rod, driving on it’s way to the gig. It tore up the highways, and soon enough drove into the venue. Then as the video ended, the band emerged. The first notes of “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” rang out and the stadium exploded. The crowd roared and the legendary Rock band came out swinging. Immediately I was taken by the over the top stage presence of the veteran members. Brian Johnson stalked the stage, dancing and Rocking out all the time, wearing his trademark newsboy cap. Beside him, or perhaps it would be better said “all around” him was Angus Young. He was a veritable tornado of activity. Running around the stage, jumping and hoisting his guitar in an incredible feat of showmanship. These two men, now well into their seventh decades of life, have proven yet again that with the power of Rock N’ Roll, age is just a number.

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Anyway, back to the show. Here they jumped into “Back in Black” followed by “Demon Fire” and “Shot Down in Flames.” Then we got another stunning moment: “Thunderstruck.” With utter ferocity, Angus tore into the intro riff and set the stadium ablaze. This song, traditionally used by the Cleveland Browns as their intro music, has been played in this stadium many, many times… but never like this. This was the real deal and it was magnificent. More heavy hitters were to follow. “Have a Drink on Me” was a certified party jam. And the place went wild yet again as an enormous lone bell was lowered from the roof of the stage. As it tolled out ominously, the crowd let loose another wave of sound, and Angus began the mighty riff to “Hells Bells.”

By then the sun was setting and the shadows were falling across the stadium. What remained was a sea of flashing devil horns, lighting up the night. AC/DC was far from through, while their demonic fans danced in the seats, they continued the onslaught. “Shot in the Dark” was followed by “Stiff Upper Lip.” Here I got to experience something very powerful... A song that has always held held a special place in my heart. The one and the only “Highway to Hell!!!” Angus was seen sporting devil horns, like so many of his fans. Flames leapt from the ground and crept along the screens, setting the stage all a blaze. The light show hit a new level of intensity for “Shoot to Thrill.” Angus did his little dance; that hopping on one foot, while shredding maneuver that has become his signature move. The screens zoomed in on Angus as he soloed and through “Sin City” and “Rock N’ Roll Train” and I was in awe of the man. The crowd exploded yet again for “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” They danced and headbanged through “High Voltage” and “Riff Raff.” It was when “You Shook Me All Night Long” began that we got our next major roar for the crowd and it was a powerful one indeed. The whole stadium was Rockin’ and every voice was raised as the entire city of Cleveland seemed to be joined together in song.

“Whole Lotta Rosie” was a show stopper, hard hitting and action packed. Finally closing out the set they chose to go with an epic rendition of “Let There be Rock.” They played out the classic track and the end evolved into an expansive Guitar solo provided by Mr. Young. Now I didn’t pull out a stopwatch or anything, so I can’t tell you how long he played. It was a long time. A very long time. He ran about the stage… was elevated on a rising platform… roamed up above the rear and back down to the pennisula that extended out into the crowd. There was a confetti explosion and still Angus played on. The solo was long and distinguished. It ripped and tore and shredded in all conceivable ways. I have to say that, while I have always respected Angus Young, watching this solo elevated his status in my mind forever. It was just that good. At the conclusion of the solo the set came to a close. Or so we were meant to believe. Naturally the encore was to follow, and it was a killer. First up was “TNT” which had the entire stadium chanting, “Oi! Oi! Oi!” They then officially closed out the evening with “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) which was accompanied by explosions of cannon fire. This was followed by a fantastic fireworks display that left the entire stadium under a cloud of smoke. The crowd roared on final time, sending AC/DC off like conquering heroes. It was amazing. It was powerful. It was legendary. It was hands down one of the best concerts I had ever seen and, that is saying something. With so much buzzing around my stoned brain, I would need days to process what I’d just seen. I did my best in the short term as we began the slow shuffle out of the stadium, and back towards the car.

I don’t think there is too much more to say about the rest of the night. I had an early morning ahead of me and thus my evening piddled out shortly thereafter. But… What a show?! How fantastic?! I mean, AC/DC really Rocked it! It was incredible. Truly one of the most legendary acts to ever emerge, it was an honor and a privilege to finally see them perform. I could bore you with minor criticisms, or nit pick the setlist, if I wanted to be a curmudgeon, but I won’t. I’m looking at the big picture here and it was a fantastic. It was a night I won’t soon forget. In the ocean of live music that I swim, it takes a truly Rockin’ good time to stand out and I believe AC/DC will be just that kind of show. The kind that you just never forget. On that note, I will bring this edition to a close. For those about to Rock, I salute you! Thank you for reading.

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

6/2/2025

Links:

https://www.acdc.com

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