AC/DC is about to perform their first show in seven years at this weekend’s Power Trip festival in California. Last month, the band released a snippet of rehearsal audio performing the classic “Highway To Hell” track, “If You Want Blood (You Got It),” and AC/DC also revealed that longtime drummer Phil Rudd wouldn’t be performing at the show.
Matt Laug will step in on drums for what is rumored to be a temporary gig due to Rudd’s visa issues which stemmed from legal and substance abuse troubles back in 2015.
More rehearsal footage was released this week by comedian Dean Delray, who appears to have taken a brief video outside of AC/DC’s rehearsal space in Los Angeles. The band can be heard performing “Given The Dog A Bone” from their multi-platinum selling classic, “Back In Black.”
AC/DC released their critically-acclaimed “Power Up” album in 2020, and the band was gearing up to tour behind it when the world shut down and put those plans on hold. The album features singer Brian Johnson, lead guitarist Angus Young, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd.
As mentioned, Rudd sat out the band’s “Rock Or Bust” tour due to a host of legal problems stemming from drug use. The legendary drummer plead guilty to making death threats and possession of methamphetamine in 2015. Rudd has since cleaned up his act and returned to the band to record “Power Up,” but it has been rumored that Rudd’s previous legal problems are what is preventing him from entering the United States to perform this weekend.
Johnson had to bow out of the “Rock Or Bust” tour due to hearing issues and was replaced by Guns ’N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose. Since then, however, Johnson has utilized the invention of audiologist Stephen Ambrose to get back to fronting the band.
