AC/DC Ignites Berlin with a Blazing “Highway to Hell” at Olympiastadion 2025
During AC/DC’s explosive rendition of “Highway to Hell” at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on June 30, 2025, Angus Young tore into the opening riff with unapologetic fury, igniting an already buzzing atmosphere. The crowd surged forward as the iconic guitar hook reverberated through the night air, hugging every corner of the massive stadium.
Brian Johnson’s gravel-loaded vocals cut through the riff like a razor blade, each syllable dripping with rock’n’roll menace. Decades into their career, his energy and delivery still captured the rebellious spirit AC/DC embodied since the song’s original release in 1979.
With over 74,000 fans packed into the stadium, the collective roar when Brian hit the chorus was so thunderous that it felt as if Berlin itself was singing: “I’m on the Highway to Hell!” The crowd’s energy matched Angus’s intensity note for note.
This moment wasn’t a simple cover of rock history; it was a tribute to their past. “Highway to Hell” originally signaled AC/DC’s rise under Bon Scott during their 1979–80 tour. Now, decades later, the track had new life amid state-of-the-art production and a legacy-laden audience.
Illuminated by pyrotechnics that erupted behind the band, the final chorus transformed into a blazing inferno of sound and light. Flames leapt skyward in sync with the chorus, punctuating each “Highway to Hell” refrain and amplifying the song’s smoky rebellion.
Angus, clad in his schoolboy outfit, stalked the stage like a man possessed—his signature duckwalk never more electrifying. Fans on social media later commented that they saw the 70-year-old guitarist move with the same intensity as in his 20s.
This performance called back to AC/DC’s live album If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It, a raw predecessor to this moment. The old-school energy coursed through every note, bridging 1978’s live legacy with 2025’s stadium-scale spectacle.
“Highway to Hell” landed third in the setlist, following earlier hits like “If You Want Blood” and “Back in Black.” Placing it in this position sustained momentum rising toward a chorus so explosive that it felt like a second act climax.
Even seasoned concert-goers admitted they’d never experienced the fusion of scale and grit quite like this. A fan recalling 1979 shows noted how the anthem still felt as fresh and urgent in 2025 as it did in its original tour.
The Berlin rendition showcased more than just nostalgia—it underscored AC/DC’s relevance. Though decades have passed since Malcolm Young’s era, Angus’s riffs and Brian’s voice reminded fans that the band’s core fire still burns bright.
Flanked by massive LED screens displaying snarling skulls and highway signs, the visuals reinforced the song’s highway metaphor. As the road stretched behind Brian and Angus, the visual metaphor of journeying with rock legends was impossible to miss.
Behind the scenes, crew members coordinated flame bursts timed to the final chord. The production values elevated the raw track to cinematic heights—musical fireworks that were both retro and cutting-edge.
Many felt this performance was electric enough to have “gone viral.” YouTube clips of the moment racked up millions of views within days, reinforcing fans’ claims that this “Highway to Hell” was among AC/DC’s most powerful live moments.
“The stadium shook,” one attendee posted on Facebook, “like we were all riding this highway together.” Moments like that evoke the communal power live music is built on—and this Berlin night hit that peak.
On that stage, the song became more than an anthem—it was a declaration: AC/DC isn’t fading. They’re roaring louder than ever, still capable of delivering spine-tingling rock crises of nature even in the 2020s.
As “Highway to Hell” ended with a scorching guitar flourish, the band seamlessly transitioned into “Shoot to Thrill,” riding the adrenaline. That continuity in setlist kept the energy sky-high, sustaining the stadium-wide adrenaline rush.
By the time the encore rolled around, many were still reeling from the highway blaze. In every sense—smell of smoke, roar of flames, pulse of sound—AC/DC left Berlin scorched in rock’s passionate heartbeat.
