AC/DC Brings the Thunder to Cleveland with “For Those About to Rock” Finale – May 28, 2025

The night air over Cleveland’s Progressive Field pulsed with electricity as AC/DC closed out their May 28, 2025 concert with a firestorm of cannon blasts and raw rock power. “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” wasn’t just a set-ender—it was a declaration of war on silence. The crowd of nearly 40,000 erupted as the first chords rang out, signaling the arrival of one of the most iconic closers in rock history. It was the culmination of a night packed with hits, sweat, and unrelenting volume.

Angus Young, now 70 but performing like a man possessed, duck-walked across the stage with the same manic energy that made him a legend decades ago. Clad in his signature schoolboy uniform, he shredded the opening riffs with surgical precision, every note biting through the humid Ohio air. Fans in the front rows pumped their fists in unison, their eyes locked on a man who seems immune to aging. The adrenaline was contagious—no one in the stadium stood still.

Brian Johnson’s entrance was met with an earth-shaking roar. At 76, the vocalist still had every ounce of his gravel-soaked power. His delivery was sharp, his phrasing as tight as ever, and when he bellowed the line, “We salute you!” it echoed across the ballpark like a command from a general. The song’s call-and-response structure turned the audience into a massive choir of the faithful, their voices nearly drowning out the band.

The pyrotechnics didn’t disappoint. As Johnson hit the final chorus, a synchronized blast of ten full-size cannons roared from the stage—just as they have since the band first introduced this spectacle in 1981. The flames, smoke, and lights created a sensory overload that transformed the stadium into a battlefield of sound and fury. It was a reminder of AC/DC’s unmatched legacy of delivering shows that don’t just entertain—they conquer.

Longtime fans recognized the emotional weight of the performance. “For Those About to Rock” has closed countless AC/DC shows since its debut, but something about this night felt different. Maybe it was the energy of a city that’s always embraced rock with open arms. Maybe it was the sight of two aging legends proving that real rock and roll never dies. Or maybe it was the collective realization that we’re lucky to still witness this band in their element.

Cleveland holds a special place in AC/DC history. It was one of the first U.S. cities to embrace the band during their early tours in the late ’70s. In fact, their legendary 1979 performance at the Agora Ballroom remains one of the most bootlegged shows in rock history. The bond between the city and the band runs deep, and on this night in 2025, that history came full circle. The audience knew it, and the band could feel it.

Throughout the night, the band delivered a ferocious set that included “Back in Black,” “Thunderstruck,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” and a blistering version of “Shoot to Thrill.” Each song was met with explosive cheers, but the anticipation for the finale loomed large. The pacing of the show was expertly crafted—each track building toward the juggernaut that is “For Those About to Rock.” When it finally came, it was less a performance and more a communal explosion of joy.

AC/DC’s commitment to consistency is part of their enduring appeal. There’s no reinventing the wheel, no techno remixes, no acoustic ballads. What you get is pure, unfiltered, riff-driven rock. That ethos was on full display in Cleveland, where the band sounded as tight and thunderous as they did during their prime. This isn’t nostalgia—it’s survival. AC/DC proves you don’t have to change who you are when who you are still rocks this hard.

Fans came from all over the Midwest for the show, some bringing children who wore matching tour shirts with their parents. Multigenerational audiences are a growing part of AC/DC’s legacy—proof that their music transcends age. In the parking lots before the concert, classic Bon Scott-era albums blasted from car stereos, and kids mimicked Angus’s famous moves in between tailgate parties. It was more than a concert; it was a rite of passage.

One touching moment came when the screens displayed vintage photos of past tours during the intro to “For Those About to Rock.” Images of Malcolm Young appeared, drawing an emotional cheer from the crowd. Though gone since 2017, his presence is still felt deeply in the band’s DNA. Stevie Young, who took over rhythm guitar duties, stood in stoic tribute—his playing a perfect echo of Malcolm’s unmistakable punchy tone.

As the final cannon shot echoed into the night sky, the band gathered at the front of the stage to wave goodbye. Angus, drenched in sweat, still had energy to toss his cap into the crowd and strike one final pose. Brian grinned, holding his mic stand like a victorious gladiator. The moment froze in time—a snapshot of everything fans love about AC/DC: showmanship, authenticity, and pure power.

Even as the crowd slowly filtered out into the streets of downtown Cleveland, the chant of “For those about to rock—we salute you!” continued to echo. It was shouted in parking garages, whispered in elevators, and sung drunkenly on sidewalks. No one wanted to let go of the feeling. That’s the kind of show AC/DC delivers—one that follows you home, buzzing in your bones long after the amplifiers have gone silent.

Critics have often underestimated AC/DC’s ability to endure. But nights like this silence the doubters. In a world of trends and turnover, AC/DC remains defiantly themselves. Their formula hasn’t changed because it doesn’t have to. And with every sold-out stadium and cannon blast, they remind us that simplicity, when executed with passion, can still be electrifying.

It’s not just about the music—it’s about the legacy. “For Those About to Rock” has been their anthem for over 40 years, but it’s also become a global battle cry for every die-hard fan who’s ever felt their heart pound to the rhythm of a Gibson SG. That connection was alive and well in Cleveland, as loud and undeniable as the fireworks above the stadium.

If this ends up being one of their final tours, they’re certainly not going quietly. The Cleveland show was a masterclass in how to close a concert: big, bold, and unforgettable. AC/DC didn’t just play their anthem—they lived it. One cannon blast at a time, they saluted the faithful, and the faithful roared back with love.

As the stage went dark and the smoke cleared, the echo of Angus’s last note still hung in the air like a promise: they came, they saw, and once again, they rocked us all.