AC/DC has recently revealed plans for a 2025 North American tour, marking their return after a lengthy hiatus. The band, consisting of Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Stevie Young, Matt Laug, and Chris Chaney, will hit the U.S. for the ‘Power Up’ tour, performing in 13 stadiums across the country. However, fans have expressed mixed opinions, especially concerning Brian Johnson’s vocal ability due to his ongoing hearing issues.
After nine years, the iconic rock band is gearing up for their U.S. tour, which kicks off on April 10 in Minneapolis. Major stops include the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on April 18 and Soldier Field in Chicago on May 24, with The Pretty Reckless opening for the shows. The final concert will take place on May 28 in Cleveland.
Despite the excitement, some fans on Reddit have questioned Johnson’s ability to perform at the high level expected of the band. “Isn’t Brian mostly deaf at this point? I’m surprised he’s still touring at all,” one person wrote, while another added, “The lead singer is near deaf. He’s been told he cannot play ‘stadium size venues’ because the amplification necessary would finish off his hearing. So I’m extremely curious what venues they will play.”
Others who have recently seen the band live have also voiced concerns. “Honestly, I saw them at Wembley last year and was very unimpressed. Brian’s voice was buried so far in the mix that he was pretty much unintelligible for 90% of the show,” one fan shared. Another user was torn, saying, “On one hand, I’m well aware that they’re past their prime and this is going to be an expensive ticket. On the other, AC/DC is literally the last band on my bucket list.”
AC/DC’s previous tour in 2016 was marred by Johnson’s hearing problems, which led to Axl Rose stepping in as the band’s temporary lead singer. The band’s future seemed uncertain at the time, with Johnson’s hearing issues and bassist Cliff Williams’ retirement due to health reasons. Angus Young remained the only active member of the ‘Back in Black’ lineup.
However, AC/DC made a strong comeback in 2020 with their album Power Up, featuring new hearing aid technology that helped Johnson regain his voice. The album also saw the return of Williams and drummer Phil Rudd, who had resolved legal issues. With this new album and the support of advanced technology, AC/DC is ready to hit the road again, but some fans remain skeptical about the band’s ability to deliver a top-tier performance.