AC/DC Tease Announcement, Tour Speculation Ensues

AC/DC is teasing something big, and it's believed to be related to an upcoming tour announcement.

The band shared a video clip on their social media channels on Tuesday (Feb. 6). The clip shows the lightning bolt from their logo flickering, followed by the words, "Are you ready?" Then, their track "Are You Ready" from 1990's The Razors Edge starts playing.

A new AC/DC tour is something rather miraculous, especially with Brian Johnson fronting the band. Johnson was forced to step away from AC/DC in 2016 due to issues related to hearing loss. Since then, thanks to new in-ear monitor technology, he's been able to perform live again.

Last October, AC/DC took to the stage at Power Trip. It was the band's first show since September 20, 2016 and their first show with Johnson since February 28, 2016. In order to fulfill their tour obligations, AC/DC recruited Axl Rose to front the band for the remainder of their tour dates in 2016.

If AC/DC is set to embark on a tour in 2024, there will be a big question about the lineup. It's a safe bet that Angus Young, Stevie Young and Brian Johnson would be part of the lineup. However, it seems as though the rhythm section is unknown.

Bassist Cliff Williams retired shortly after the 2016 tour, but he appeared on AC/DC's 2020 album Power Up. Williams also performed at Power Trip with the band. Recently, it was rumored that Williams would be sitting out a potential 2024 tour, and a replacement would soon be announced.

Then, there's the matter of the drums. Even though Phil Rudd rejoined AC/DC and played on Power Up, he thanks to new in-ear monitor technology. Instead, Matt Laug sat in on the drums.

An AC/DC tour would give the band the chance to perform tracks from Power Up for their legions of fans. Notably, they played "Shot in the Dark" and "Demon Fire" during their set at Power Trip. In fact, the setlist featured a wide variety of tracks from both Johnson's era and Bon Scott's era of the band. The full setlist is below.

If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
Back in Black
Demon Fire
Shot Down in Flames
Thunderstruck
Have a Drink on Me
Hells Bells
Shot in the Dark
Stiff Upper Lip
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Shoot to Thrill
Sin City
Givin the Dog a Bone
Rock 'n' Roll Train
You Shook Me All Night Long
Dog Eat Dog
High Voltage
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
Riff Raff
Highway to Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock

ENCORE
T.N.T.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

The AC/DC catalog can be split into two parts: The Bon Scott years and the Brian Johnson years. For the sake of our latest list, we're going to focus on the Brian Johnson years.

Johnson was officially announced as the new singer for AC/DC on April 15, 1980. Back then, he faced the daunting challenge of following Scott, who had died suddenly in February 1980 just as AC/DC was enjoying international success from their latest album, Highway to Hell.

Not only did Johnson rise to the occasion, but he also helped lead AC/DC with the release of their monster hit Back In Black, which is one of the highest-selling albums of all time moving over 50 million copies worldwide and 25 million copies in the United States alone.

Over the course of the past four decades, Johnson has become one of rock's most iconic and easily recognizable voices ever. His official return to AC/DC in 2020 after a nearly four-year absence due to hearing loss issues was one of the bright spots in an unprecedentedly dark year.

In his honor, here's our ranking of the top 25 Brian Johnson AC/DC songs.

AC/DC announced in February their new European tour dates. This marks the first tour from the band since 2016.

The "Power Up" tour will kick off on May 17 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany and will wrap on August 17 in Dublin. Currently, it's unknown whether AC/DC will expand their tour to other continents, but stay tuned.

In a brief statement from the band, they confirmed the lineup for the tour. Brian Johnson will be on vocals and joined by Angus and Stevie Young on lead and rhythm guitar, respectively. Matt Laug, who played with the band at Power Trip in October 2023, will be on drums.

As for bass, AC/DC has recruited Chris Chaney "to carry the torch for Cliff [Williams]." Williams retired shortly after the 2016 tour, but he appeared on AC/DC's 2020 album Power Up. Williams also performed at Power Trip with the band.