I'm back! (in black) with ringing ears and Marshall GAS.
Ahoy Rotterdam is a small venue (15.000 people) so I got reasonably close to the stage.
First thing that struck me was how old the guys have become. It took a song or two to get up to full steam and after that the machine thundered on.
I stood on Malcolm's side of the stage. Looks like he took his old JTM45's with him. For that tone of the first couple of albums. A drop tune baritone through a Mesa couldn't sound more ominous and menacing than Mal's Gretsch. You can actualy FEEL the growl of that guitar when he hits an E chord. I've seen Richards, I've seen Hetfield but Malcolm Young is THE best Rhythm guitarist in the world!
Interesting detail. Roadies were tuning up the guitars. Mal's backup guitar (he didn't use it) was the 4 switch White Falcon from the Back In Black tour. I thought he sold that?
If Malcolm is captain of the ship, then Phill Rudd is first mate. What I wouldn't give to be in a band with a drummer like that.
Great setlist with quite a few new songs. The new songs worked well in a live setting and fell good with the crowd. Brian and Angus worked the crowd like snake charmers. You forget the old faces. Brian and Angus are nuts! It's just like the Donnington show.
Almost forgot Cliff. Great subtle, thumping, minimalistic bass.
And what an age diversity in the crowd. Ages ranged from 16 to 60. Rock is alive and well!
