When Angus Young Grabbed a Fan by the Nose: The Wildest Moment of AC/DC’s 2000 Phoenix Show

On September 13, 2000, AC/DC brought their thunderous Stiff Upper Lip World Tour to Phoenix, Arizona, lighting up the America West Arena with their legendary energy. The crowd was electric, packed wall to wall with die-hard fans ready for an unforgettable night. What they got, however, was far beyond a typical rock concert — it became a story fans would talk about for decades.

That night, Angus Young was at his peak — duckwalking across the stage in his signature schoolboy outfit, feeding off the crowd’s wild energy. As the band launched into an extended version of “Bad Boy Boogie,” the mood was euphoric. Fans were singing every word, fists pumping, and the music thundered through the venue like a freight train.

But in the midst of this mayhem, something unexpected happened. A fan near the front, for reasons only known to him, threw a drink at Angus Young. It splashed across Angus mid-performance, and before the shock could settle, a second drink followed. For a brief second, the music carried on. Then everything stopped.

Angus, known for his fiery spirit both on and off stage, had clearly had enough. With theatrical precision, he set down his Gibson SG, walked straight toward the crowd, and zeroed in on the culprit. In full view of thousands, Angus grabbed the fan by the nose and gave him a loud, passionate, and unapologetically Scottish scolding that echoed across the arena.

What made this moment unforgettable wasn’t just Angus’s reaction — it was how he never broke character. Even in the middle of chaos, he kept the show alive. After giving the fan a piece of his mind, Angus walked right back, picked up his guitar, and jumped back into the groove of “Bad Boy Boogie” as if nothing had happened. It was pure rock and roll theatre.

This wasn’t the first time Angus used “Bad Boy Boogie” as a stage for wild antics. For decades, the extended version of the song had included everything from strip teases to stage dives. It was the band’s playground for improvisation, and Angus always turned it into a spectacle. But that night in Phoenix, the moment became part of AC/DC folklore.

The crowd roared in approval. What could have derailed a lesser band’s performance only fueled the fire for AC/DC. Brian Johnson laughed it off on stage, adding to the camaraderie and high-voltage energy of the night. The band’s tight chemistry meant they didn’t miss a beat — they turned an unexpected moment into rock history.

Longtime fans were reminded of the band’s early days, when AC/DC earned a reputation for their unfiltered, in-your-face style. This wasn’t just a show; it was a reminder of the band’s roots — raw, rebellious, and untamed. Angus’s move wasn’t rehearsed. It was instinct — pure, undiluted rock star instinct.

The moment was caught on video by a fan in the crowd. Though grainy and shaky, the footage spread quickly among the rock community. Watching Angus stand up mid-song and grab a misbehaving fan by the nose became an instant legend. Fans debated if it was real — but those who were there knew better.

AC/DC had seen wild things on tour before — from bras flying on stage in the ’80s to wild crowd surges in South America — but this incident in Phoenix ranked among the most personal. It was rare to see Angus step off his pedal board and confront someone face-to-face. That’s what gave the moment its weight.

Looking back, the Stiff Upper Lip tour marked a time when the band was balancing old-school grit with global fame. “Bad Boy Boogie” had been a staple since the Bon Scott era, and Angus’s antics during that song often felt like a tribute to the band’s wild beginnings. That night’s confrontation only solidified its legacy.

Even Malcolm Young, the band’s rock-solid rhythm guitarist and Angus’s brother, couldn’t help but chuckle about the moment backstage. It was a reminder that no matter how big the stage got, the band never lost their edge. Angus didn’t need security — just a grip on the nose and a few choice words.

After the Phoenix incident, fans started attending future shows with new anticipation during “Bad Boy Boogie.” Would Angus do something again? Was anyone brave — or foolish — enough to repeat the stunt? Luckily, no copycats emerged, but the song’s tension and thrill became even more electric.

Years later, Angus would be asked in interviews about the wildest things that happened on tour. The Phoenix nose-grab always came up. He’d laugh, shrug, and say something like, “He had it coming.” It wasn’t just a defense — it was a statement. Don’t mess with the schoolboy when he’s in the zone.

The 2000 performance at America West Arena lives on in fan forums and retrospectives. It’s more than just a blip in concert history — it represents everything AC/DC stands for: power, grit, unpredictability, and unwavering dedication to putting on a damn good show. The entire incident unfolded during an extended version of one of their signature songs.