Arena rock music has changed a lot in the last few decades. Performances have different trends and elements nowadays, and the money put into most pop and rock productions is quite hefty. To put it simply, a lot of complex production processes go into live arena shows now. However, nothing tops the 1980s era of arena rock. Seeing a rock concert in the 80s was simply a wild experience, even if a show just featured the band and a few cannons. And AC/DC were masters at live performances in that era. Let’s revisit just a few AC/DC songs that defined 1980s arena rock!
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1. “Live Wire”
This hit AC/DC song came out in 1975, but the incredible energy the band injected into the song when they performed it live definitely influenced arena rock in the decade that followed. This song didn’t make waves until it was used to open a live radio album in 1977, and that performance itself is legendary. The 1977 version is absolutely wild, raw, and surprisingly well put together despite its chaos.
2. “Hell’s Bells”
This is one of the most memorable AC/DC songs to come out of the 1980s, and man was it a thrill to see performed live. That powerful bell toll, the doomy guitar riff, that simple yet perfect drumbeat… You just can’t beat “Hell’s Bells”, including the recorded version and the many iconic live versions that followed. Where most bands would get into campy territory with on-stage props, AC/DC would bring out the iconic stage bell to thousands of screaming, excited fans.
3. “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)”
“For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” from 1981 has historically been a go-to for the band, who would usually use the song as the closer for their live sets. It makes sense why. Those cannons are a necessity to get the true vibe of the song, and you can’t exactly launch cannons in the middle of your set. Their live performances of this song are so out there, so loud, and so powerful; everything needed to put on a killer arena rock show in the 1980s.
4. “Back In Black”
“Back In Black” is by far one of the most well-known and career-defining songs from AC/DC to come out of the 1980s. Naturally, their live performances of this legendary song rarely disappointed. They still whip out this song decades after it was released, and they still manage to match the energy of their younger selves.
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