Brian Johnson 'cannot wait' to tour again with AC/DC
Angus Young also has his say on socially distanced concerts
Last updated 8th Oct 2020
Brian Johnson says he’s chomping at the bit to perform live with AC/DC again as soon as the coronavirus situation allows.
Brian, of course, was replaced by Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose for the final two legs of the Rock or Bust Tour in 2016 when doctors ordered him to quit touring of risk permanent hearing loss.
Since then, Brian has received experimental treatment for his hearing issues and in 2018 he reunited in the studio with AC/DC to commence work on their seventeenth studio album ‘Power Up’.
Speaking to Absolute Radio yesterday (7th October) on the day AC/DC’s new single ‘Shot In The Dark’ was unleashed to the world, Brian was asked if he’s looking forward to touring again.
“I cannot wait (to perform live again),” Brian enthused. “We had a taste of it from our rehearsals and that was enough to whet our appetite, we just started smiling and all that. If you’ll excuse the pun, once we were powered up in the rehearsal room, it was just all smiles. It was great that feeling again to be together.
“Obviously, the audience is a big part of playing, it gives you the juice, y’know, it’s the sixth member of the band and all of those things. It’s just a great feeling.”
Reflecting more upon AC/DC’s rehearsals, Brian said: “For me it was lovely just to get back and relax really and be with, well, if I can say family again – just this bond that’s been built up over the years.
“So, what you had was this wonderful electricity in the studio together. Of course, Malcolm (Young – late-great AC/DC guitarist) was floating around all the time as well. It was brilliant. We had such a good time.”
Commenting on whether AC/DC will be able to tour ‘Power Up’, Angus Young added: “Hopefully if they get rid of the (coronavirus), they come up with a good magic cure, we’ll be out there, I guess. I think everyone is waiting for it to get back to normal and then we get to test it all live, our new album.”
In a separate interview with radio.com, Angus also categorically ruled out performing socially distanced concerts with AC/DC.
Asked if AC/DC would consider playing drive-in concerts or 25% capacity shows to promote ‘Power Up’, Angus replied: "I think when you've had that excitement (of playing in front of full audiences], if you had to kind of go and kind of make-do, a lot of space, I don't think it would have the same vibe.
“Because, really, when we've done shows, that was always the thing… Even our first time even playing in America, that was always the thing you always the best, and the same all around the world. Playing in front of people, and they were getting excited.
“So that's what is the best. Hopefully they come up with something quick that helps us get back to normal.”
Produced by Brendan O’Brien, who previously helmed ‘Black Ice’ in 2008 and ‘Rock Or Bust’ in 2014, ‘Power Up’ features 12 tracks and is released on Friday 13th November 2020.
The AC/DC ‘Power Up’ track-listing is as follows:
1) Realize
2) Rejection
3) Shot in the Dark
4) Through the Mists of Time
5) Kick You When You're Down
6) Witch's Spell
7) Demon Fire
8) Wild Reputation
9) No Man's Land
10) Systems Down
11) Money Shot
12) Code Red