AC/DC — The Hard Rock Legends Announce Their Long-Awaited Australian Tour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and They Gave “Jailbreak” an Extremely Rare Outing 13 Songs Into Their Anthem-Packed Set
For fans of thunderous riffs and pure rock ’n’ roll adrenaline, the wait is finally over. AC/DC — the electrifying titans of hard rock — have officially announced their long-anticipated return to Australia, making the Melbourne Cricket Ground the stage for one of the most explosive reveals of their career. What began as a straightforward tour announcement quickly turned into a night of rock history, as Angus Young, Brian Johnson, and the powerhouse lineup delivered a blistering set that stunned the crowd and ignited the nation. But the biggest surprise of all came 13 songs in, when the band pulled out “Jailbreak,” a rare gem that hasn’t been performed live with such force and swagger in decades.
The event, held under a cool Melbourne night sky, felt less like a press moment and more like a full-scale celebration of AC/DC’s legacy. Fans packed the MCG hours before the announcement, turning the venue into a sea of black shirts, lightning bolt logos, and generations of Aussies ready to witness something unforgettable. And AC/DC did not disappoint. Stepping onto the stage with the confidence and raw energy that has defined them for nearly 50 years, they roared into a thunderous version of “Thunderstruck,” instantly sending the crowd into a frenzy and setting the tone for what would become an anthem-loaded spectacle.
From there, the band moved through a relentless barrage of hits — “Back in Black,” “Shoot to Thrill,” “High Voltage,” “Hells Bells,” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” Each track landed with the weight of a wrecking ball, reminding everyone why AC/DC remains one of the most powerful live bands on the planet. Brian Johnson’s vocals were sharp and gritty, a testament to his enduring strength and spirit, while Angus Young — schoolboy uniform and all — shredded through solos with the reckless abandon of a teenager discovering his first guitar.
But the most jaw-dropping moment of the night came when the opening riff of “Jailbreak” rang out across the stadium. The audience erupted instantly, as if realizing they were witnessing something sacred. “Jailbreak,” first released in 1976, has long been a cult favorite among AC/DC diehards, but it rarely appears in the band’s modern live rotations. To hear it performed in the flesh — and in Australia, where many fans grew up with Bon Scott’s original version blasting through car speakers and backyard stereos — was nothing short of monumental.
Angus Young stretched the intro, teasing the crowd with bluesy bends before diving into the signature riff with violent precision. Johnson delivered the vocals with gritty storytelling flair, paying homage to Bon Scott’s legacy while making the moment his own. The song’s final extended jam had the entire MCG roaring along, fists in the air, thousands of voices echoing into the night: “But he made it out… with a bullet in his back!” Many fans described the moment as the emotional centerpiece of the night — a time capsule, a tribute, and a shock all at once.
Following the performance, the band paused briefly as Angus delivered the tour announcement with typical cheeky charm. AC/DC will embark on a massive Australian stadium tour beginning in 2026, with shows expected in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and a return to Melbourne. It marks their first major Australian tour in years, making the reveal even more meaningful for fans thrilled to see the band return to their roots.
The night continued with more electrifying anthems, including “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “T.N.T.,” and “Highway to Hell,” each greeted with deafening cheers. The encore, unsurprisingly, featured “Let There Be Rock” and a blistering “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You),” complete with cannon blasts that shook the stadium.
As the final notes echoed into the Melbourne night, one fact was unmistakably clear: AC/DC’s fire still burns as fiercely as ever. Their long-awaited Australian tour is not just a homecoming — it’s a declaration. A reminder that no matter how many years pass, no matter how music trends shift, AC/DC remains a force of nature capable of uniting generations under the banner of pure, unapologetic rock ’n’ roll.
With “Jailbreak” revived, stadiums booked, and fans buzzing worldwide, AC/DC’s return is already shaping up to be one of the most epic rock events of the decade.
