AC/DC Ignites Tampa with a Blistering “You Shook Me All Night Long” Performance That Left 60,000 Fans Thunderstruck
On May 16, 2025, AC/DC ignited the stage at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, delivering a night of unrelenting energy and classic rock fury. The band’s return to the city after nearly two decades created an electric atmosphere that pulsed with anticipation from the moment the gates opened. As part of their explosive “Power Up” tour, the concert reminded fans why AC/DC remains one of the most enduring and beloved acts in rock history.
The opening act, The Pretty Reckless, set the tone with a blistering set that whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Their gritty vocals and raw instrumentation served as the perfect appetizer before the main course. As the sun dipped below the Florida skyline, the stadium lights began to glow, signaling that the legends were about to take over. Excitement swelled with each passing moment as the crowd erupted into chants, awaiting the first iconic riff.
When AC/DC took the stage, the roar of the audience nearly drowned out the first note. They wasted no time launching into a high-octane performance, stringing together fan favorites from their decades-long career. From “Back in Black” to “Highway to Hell,” every song hit like a freight train. Their musicianship was sharp, their chemistry evident, and their energy defied the years they’ve spent on the road.
The night’s unforgettable highlight came when the unmistakable opening chords of “You Shook Me All Night Long” rang out. The audience lost their minds, singing every word back at the band. Brian Johnson, ever the showman, playfully swapped a lyric to “Tampa thighs,” a cheeky nod to the Florida crowd that had everyone laughing and cheering. It was a spontaneous moment that made the performance feel uniquely personal and wildly fun.
Angus Young was a force of nature. Dressed in his signature schoolboy outfit, he commanded the stage with blistering solos and frenzied footwork. His guitar work during “Let There Be Rock” sent shockwaves through the stadium, his fingers a blur of motion as he delivered one of the most jaw-dropping solos of the evening. For many, it was a moment of pure rock transcendence.
The tightness of the band’s sound was striking. Despite lineup changes and the inevitable passage of time, the band played with the cohesion of a well-oiled machine. Every drum fill, bass groove, and power chord landed with precision. Watching them play, it was clear that their connection runs deep—this is not just a band, it’s a brotherhood forged in fire and riffs.
“Thunderstruck,” “Hells Bells,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”—each anthem hit harder than the last. The setlist read like a greatest hits album come to life, curated to give both long-time fans and newer generations a full-throttle taste of what AC/DC does best. Every chorus became a stadium-wide singalong, uniting the crowd in a shared celebration of pure rock power.
The encore brought with it a level of spectacle that only AC/DC can deliver. The band returned to the stage to perform “T.N.T.” and then closed the night with a thunderous “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).” Cannon fire boomed across the stadium, timed perfectly with the final chorus, and fireworks exploded in the sky above. It was a finale that shook the ground and left every fan breathless.
Social media lit up after the concert, with fans declaring it one of the best live performances they’d ever witnessed. From teens to longtime followers, everyone had something to say about the band’s energy, the setlist, and the unforgettable vibe. Images and videos of Angus’s solos and Johnson’s stage banter flooded timelines, spreading the Tampa magic far beyond Florida’s borders.
The show was more than a concert—it was a homecoming. AC/DC hadn’t played Tampa since 2008, and their return was long overdue. Fans who had waited nearly two decades to see the band live again were rewarded with a show that went beyond expectations. The bond between the band and the crowd was palpable, rooted in decades of shared musical history and mutual admiration.
The “Power Up” tour itself has become a proving ground for AC/DC’s legacy. Each stop is a reminder that rock is far from dead and that age has done little to dull the band’s edge. The Tampa performance cemented their reputation as icons who don’t just rest on nostalgia—they still bring it, loud and raw, night after night.
As the stadium emptied, fans clutched merch, snapped last-minute selfies, and relived their favorite moments with friends. Some sang the final notes of “You Shook Me All Night Long” as they filed out, reluctant to let the magic end. It was the kind of night that leaves a permanent mark—the kind you tell stories about for years to come.
For those who couldn’t make it, footage of the Tampa performance has already made its way online, capturing the thrill of “You Shook Me All Night Long” and the energy that surged through every second. It’s the next best thing to being there, offering a window into a show that rocked 60,000 hearts in unison.
AC/DC’s Tampa concert wasn’t just a nod to their past; it was a roaring declaration of the present. In a time when live music is more valued than ever, the band showed why they’re still headlining stadiums after half a century. They’ve never chased trends—they’ve made their own rules and stayed true to their roots. And that’s exactly what keeps fans coming back.
As the “Power Up” tour continues, fans across the world are watching Tampa’s performance with wide eyes and bigger expectations. If what happened in Florida is any indication, this tour is not a farewell—it’s a revival. AC/DC isn’t just back. They never left. And they’re louder than ever.
