AC/DC Unleash Thunder with an Explosive “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” Finale in Berlin 2025
When AC/DC stormed Berlin’s Olympiastadion on June 30, 2025, the energy in the air was unmistakable. Fans from across Germany and beyond had flocked to the iconic stadium, many donning their favorite AC/DC shirts and flashing devil horns before the first chord rang out. The anticipation was at a fever pitch, especially for one of the band’s most legendary live staples: “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).”
As darkness fell over Berlin, the opening riffs of the song began to rumble through the massive PA system, instantly recognized by tens of thousands. The entire crowd surged forward, their voices uniting in anticipation as Brian Johnson marched to the front of the stage. His trademark cap shadowed his face, but his grin was unmistakable—he knew what was coming, and so did every fan in the stadium.
AC/DC’s connection with Berlin goes back decades. The band’s first shows in Germany during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s helped fuel a European rock renaissance. Berlin, with its rebellious spirit and storied history, has always felt like a second home for the group. “For Those About to Rock” carries a special meaning in cities that understand the language of resistance, making this performance especially resonant.
The song itself is a celebration of the audience. Written as a tribute to fans and the communal power of live rock music, “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” has always been more than just a concert closer. In Berlin, the salute felt even more poignant. With every shout of “We salute you!” Johnson and Angus Young seemed to send thanks rippling through the crowd.
By the time the chorus hit, the entire Olympiastadion was shaking. AC/DC’s signature cannons roared on cue, filling the night with thunderous booms that echoed off the ancient stone and steel of the arena. Fists shot into the air, and every attendee joined in the anthem, their voices blending into a mighty roar. It was a pure, physical moment—rock and roll as a living, breathing force.
Angus Young’s guitar solo was, as always, a highlight. Sprinting across the stage in his schoolboy uniform, he delivered riffs with the same manic energy that’s made him a legend for nearly fifty years. His interaction with the crowd—duck-walking, spinning, and trading winks with front-row fans—kept everyone on their toes. It was a reminder that age hasn’t dulled his spirit.
The tradition of ending AC/DC shows with “For Those About to Rock” began back in the early ‘80s, shortly after the song’s release. Since then, it has served as a universal rallying cry for the band’s global army of fans. Berlin’s 2025 show was no exception—the ritual of the cannons, the band’s synchronized bows, and the stadium-wide singalong all felt larger than life.
AC/DC’s current lineup has evolved over the years, but the chemistry onstage remains electric. Brian Johnson’s triumphant return after vocal troubles, the steady groove of bassist Cliff Williams, and the powerhouse drumming of Phil Rudd provided a bedrock for Angus’s guitar heroics. The band played as a unit, feeding off the crowd’s energy with every note.
For many fans in attendance, the Berlin concert was a bucket-list event. Some remembered seeing AC/DC in earlier decades, while others were experiencing the spectacle for the first time. Parents brought their teenagers, and groups of friends reunited after years apart, all for the shared rush of those famous cannon blasts and driving riffs.
The impact of “For Those About to Rock” on rock history is enormous. Its iconic chorus and celebratory spirit have inspired generations of bands to create their own anthems. Even artists far outside hard rock have cited AC/DC’s relentless power and connection with audiences as a blueprint for live performance greatness.
Over the years, the song has been covered, parodied, and honored in countless ways. Marching bands blast it at football games, military ceremonies use its title as a rallying cry, and young guitarists cut their teeth on its thunderous riffs. In Berlin, the legacy felt alive—thousands of cellphones captured the moment for social media, but nothing could replace being there in person.
Personal stories from the night flooded online forums and fan pages after the show. Some fans described the rush of cannon fire as “spine-tingling.” Others called it the best live music moment they’d ever experienced. Videos from the crowd showed waves of people leaping and shouting in perfect unison, united by decades of shared AC/DC memories.
The band themselves seemed moved by the response. After the final cannon blasts faded, Johnson took a long, grateful look across the sea of fans. Angus Young, sweat-soaked and smiling, offered one last salute with his guitar. There was a sense of mutual respect—the band honoring the crowd, and the crowd returning that love tenfold.
As fans filed out into the Berlin night, the echoes of “For Those About to Rock” lingered in the air. Conversations buzzed about the performance, the sheer force of the music, and the timelessness of AC/DC’s live show. Many left vowing to return the next time the band came through, certain that no one delivers a concert finale quite like AC/DC.
In the days that followed, clips of the Berlin performance quickly spread online, with fans and critics alike hailing it as one of the standout moments of the 2025 tour. The power and unity of “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” proved, once again, that some songs—and some bands—never lose their ability to thrill, inspire, and unite.
