AC/DC rock out in Prague: President Pavel in the crowd for Brian Johnson’s return to stage
Legendary Australian band AC/DC rocked the stage in Prague’s Letňany on their fifth appearance in the Czech capital. Their previous visit was without 77-year-old frontman Brian Johnson, who remarkably returned in front of 60,000 excited fans, including Czech President Petr Pavel.
In one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer, AC/DC played for over two hours in the sultry summer weather, bringing tracks from all eras of their 52-year existence. Performance features such as the giant swinging bell during ‘Hells Bells’, or Angus Young’s 15-minute guitar solo in ‘Let There Be Rock’ thrilled fans of the legendary hard rock group.
In previous years, AC/DC suffered several setbacks, when band co-founder, guitarist, and Angus’s brother Malcom Young had to quit the group for health reasons. In 2016, singer Brian Johnson was also unable to perform, with Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose temporarily substituting for him at the concert in Prague, amongst others.
This year, though 9 years older, the band returned in full health and did not disappoint. In a loud and energetic delivery, AC/DC brought iconic hits such as ‘Thunderstruck’, ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’, or ‘T.N.T’. The set list also included songs from their latest album Power Up, released in 2020.
Their marquee single ‘Highway to Hell’ also could not be left out. The track made domestic headlines in 2009, when Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek used the song title to voice disapproval of Barack Obama's proposed EU economic stimulus plan.
Clearly favoured among Czech political figures, AC/DC’s performance last night did not escape President Petr Pavel. The head of state is an avid rock fan, and was also spotted in attendance for the concerts of Bruce Springsteen and Alanis Morissette earlier this month.
