Members of AC/DC, including original guitarist Angus Young, surprised fans yesterday at the Toronto pop-up, which went ahead despite the cancellation of the Rogers Stadium concert Sept. 16 after the venue was damaged by a severe storm.
What to know
- Angus Young, Stevie Young, Matt Laug and Chris Chaney surprised fans at AC/DC’s Toronto pop-up on Sept. 16.
- Young was filmed signing a baby’s outfit during the unexpected appearance.
- The pop-up went ahead even though AC/DC’s Rogers Stadium concert was cancelled following severe storm damage.
- The PWR/UP Tour has three scheduled shows remaining: Winnipeg, East Rutherford and Philadelphia.
“Omg this was a shock of our lives to see the band members come out and give autographs,” wrote one fan named Kasia in the AC/DC Family Facebook group, adding that she met people from Ireland, Australia, France, Germany and England, including someone who has seen the Australian band 300 times. “For all the people who came across the world to find that the concert was cancelled, ACDC [sic] coming out to sign autographs was the best possible gift to all of them.”
The AC/DC PWR/UP Pop-Up for the rock legends whose hits include “Back in Black,” “Highway To Hell,” “Thunderstruck” and “You Shook Me All Night Long,” was held at Steam Whistle Brewing Sept. 15-16. Young, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and bassist Chris Chaney showed up late yesterday [16th] to sign merchandise purchased on-site. Brian Johnson was not there.
Right after the pop-up, some members also attended the world premiere of the Neil Peart documentary No One’s Disciple, about the late Rush drummer, part of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Fans were already lined up at the pop-up to buy merch when the band showed up and sat down at a table beside the purchase area. A video is circulating of Young even signing the clothing of a young child who was lifted onto the table.
The pop-up featured AC/DC displays including the Hells Bells bell; one of 21 canons used during the band’s 1991 Monsters of Rock performance at Donington Park, England, as part of the Razors Edge World Tour; a giant neon AC/DC lightning-bolt logo and Young’s schoolboy stage outfit.
The bar also served an AC/DC-themed cocktail called the Thunder Struck, made with Dillon’s vodka, blue Curaçao, Sprite, lemonade and lime juice.
The large merch kiosk included premium apparel, accessories, posters and limited-edition items. Toronto was also listed on the back of one of the tour shirts.
AC/DC’s PWR/UP Tour is winding down, with just Winnipeg on Sept. 20, East Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 25, and Philadelphia on Sept. 29.
The PWR/UP World Tour takes its name from AC/DC’s 2020 album, which reached No. 1 in 21 countries. It began with the band’s long-awaited return to the stage at Power Trip in California in 2023 and has since sold out stadiums across four continents.
