At the Cropredy Festival, one of the most iconic and electrifying performances unfolded before a captivated crowd, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history. Among the many fans in the audience, none was more visibly moved than the legendary Angus Young. Standing in the crowd, surrounded by the buzz of anticipation and excitement, the iconic guitarist seemed to transcend time and space as he watched an unforgettable performance by Dave and Angus Fripp. These two virtuosos, channeling the spirit of both Led Zeppelin’s monumental “Kashmir” and the electrifying energy of AC/DC, launched into a tribute that would go down in festival lore.
As the opening chords of “Kashmir” reverberated across the festival grounds, the crowd felt the earth shake underfoot. The stage was set, and the duo immediately captivated the audience with a mix of familiar and fresh energy. The sheer intensity of their performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. The two Anguses—one a seasoned veteran of the AC/DC machine, and the other a legendary guitarist known for his work with King Crimson—brought together their worlds of hard-hitting riffs and avant-garde exploration. The result was a power-packed version of “Kashmir” that was full of raw, unbridled energy but also subtle musical nuances, creating a perfect harmony between bombastic rock and progressive precision.
Dave Fripp, a guitarist with the ability to evoke emotional depth and technical brilliance, brought his signature style to the stage, while Angus Fripp, the more explosive of the duo, charged through the night with visceral power. Together, they constructed a sound that soared beyond expectations, blending the heavy tones and intricate structure of Zeppelin’s masterpiece with the unmistakable swagger of AC/DC. They drew from both influences without making the performance feel like a mere homage—it was a true interpretation, crafted from a deep love and respect for the source material.
The crowd at Cropredy was no stranger to high-quality music, but what unfolded before them that evening was a spectacle that could only be described as extraordinary. Every soaring note from Fripp’s guitar seemed to stir the very air, as the ground shook with each thunderous riff. The song’s iconic Middle Eastern-inspired motifs were handled with meticulous care, while the duo’s fearless delivery made each moment of the piece feel like a monumental crescendo. The combination of power, subtlety, and pure musicianship turned the atmosphere electric, with each member of the audience hanging on every chord and anticipating every twist and turn in the performance.
As the song continued to build in intensity, Angus Young could be seen nodding his approval from the crowd. For a man who had played some of the most legendary rock anthems in history, this tribute to his own legacy seemed to move him in a way that few could have expected. There, amid the sea of fans and the kaleidoscope of lights, the man who helped define the face of rock ‘n’ roll for generations stood quietly—spellbound by the energy and musicianship unfolding before him.
It was clear that the performance wasn’t just a tribute to a classic song, but a celebration of rock music’s power to transcend genres, time, and influence. The crowd roared with every surge of the song, and the air seemed to buzz with collective excitement. The entire festival had come together, experiencing something much larger than the sum of its parts. It wasn’t just a cover of “Kashmir”; it was a reinvention, a reimagining of a song that had already achieved legendary status.
By the time the final chords rang out, the audience was on its feet, roaring in approval. The sounds of thunderous applause echoed through the festival grounds. Angus Young, who had stood silently in awe during the performance, was now visibly moved. He had just witnessed something special—a performance that not only paid tribute to the immense power of rock legends like Led Zeppelin, but also pushed boundaries, evolving it into something fresh and exciting.
The sheer passion of the performance, combined with the raw power and technical skill of the two Anguses, had delivered an unforgettable moment for the history books. For Young, it must have been especially meaningful—an experience that proved how timeless his own music had become. The fact that two such brilliant musicians were able to weave their talents together and breathe new life into “Kashmir” only reinforced the undeniable influence of AC/DC and its place in the annals of rock history.
As the echoes of the performance faded into the night, the audience stood, still buzzing from the electric atmosphere they had just witnessed. It was clear that Cropredy Festival had hosted something truly unique, something that would be remembered by those who were lucky enough to be there. For Angus Young, this moment would likely remain etched in his mind forever, a tribute not only to the greatness of “Kashmir” but also to the unbreakable bond of rock ‘n’ roll and its never-ending ability to surprise and move the soul.
