Review–AC/DC at Winnipeg Stadium, Aug 22 2009

– review by Eugene Osudar

i wasn’t going to go.
i wanted to go.
i was torn
apart
at the seams
and dreams
of AC/DC
of Bon Scott
Whole Lotta Angus
cover bands
and cool
punk alt
bands
who covered
the masters
of rock n roll
The True Believers
The Replacements
the rockers who get it.

Bon Scott
was punk.
Angus Young
is punk.

get over it.

sit back and enjoy it.
the sex of it.
the danceability of
Girls Got Rhythm.
Problem Child.
Rock N Roll Damnation.
Riff Raff.

AC/DC deliver it.
on vinyl.
on CD.

duck walk
drop p[ants
school boy uni
writhing on stage
circling spinning
like a mad,top
running-on full-on
raging
sex machine

i didn’t see it
i didn’t see anything
and yet
i saw it all

from high atop Garbage Hill
where 100s gathered to party
up the sunset
and bright orange glow
and one patch
of stormy clouds
and lightning
flashes
and thunder booming
just before AC/DC
hit the stage
no rain

not on Garbage Hill

we’re there
partying
and talking

i’m looking over the city
the downtown
the absurdity
of Airport expansion,
what a waste of taxpayers cash
and the hassle of delays
and long
walks
in the frigid minus 40
what Winnipeggers have to endure

Winnipeg is an endurance test

46,000 people in the Stadium

and everywhere
people in their yards
partying
waiting for AC/DC

they could sell out the Stadium
for a week. night after night.

AC/DC rocks.

those tunes those riffs
those anthems
those gems
and jewels
those rockers
thems that do
do-it-yourself

DIY

that’s the punk
in AC/DC.

20 songs
2 plus hours

and I’m on Garbage Hill.
it’s 9 PM, it’s time,
Bomb,blast,shtick
opening, smoke fills
the air, what’s a rock
n roll show without
smoke machines?
and we’re On
for the ride
of our lives, we’re riding
on the Rock n Roll Train

Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be
Back in Black
Big Jack
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Shot Down In Flames
Thunderstruck
Black Ice
The Jack
Hells Bells
Shoot to Thrill
War Machine
Dog Eat Dog
Anything Goes
You Shook Me All Night Long
TNT
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
Highway To Hell
For Those About to Rock

i see my friends Bobbi and Dave
on the Hill and we talk
and the hill’s
beautiful
as the sun sets
but when the gathered devotees
cheer
and roar
there’s no hearing the tunes
anymore

so it’s time to move
on, with my friends
Michelle, Sonia,
Cheri, Dave,
Karla

and I’m Thunderstruck
as i begin my drive
closer
to the flames
to the fire
to AC
and the DC.
to the sparking
electricity.

parking
in a distant lot.
and as i leave
my car behind
i see a couple in their
truck
and then as i walk
towards the Stadium
i see people everywhere

in cars
on lawn,chairs
on boulevards
in the parking lots
on lawn,chairs
in the backs
of their pick,up trucks
there are 100s
and 100s
and more
there are
1000s
gathered all around
The Stadium

its AC/DC
it’s rock n roll
it’s a ride.

this is emotion.

this is Passion.

this is Rock.

and i approach
the transit buses
and there are 100s more
and i’m walking around the Stadium,

The Jack.
Hells Bells.

my friend Jim
finds me and guides me
to the party on the other side
of the Stadium.

the big screen
and that’s where i see the show.
in close shots and screaming fans
and lights
cameras flashing.

and then suddenly,

The Intro,

You Shook Me All Night Long
and i explode and watch me
TNT
i’m dynamite

and i’m dancing as i remove
my layers
of warm
it’s a cool night

but not when i’m dancing

Dancing Soaring
Flying!

You Shook Me
All
Night
Long.
All the hip,cool DJs played this
song
in their mixes
during the 80s
in the dance clubs
Back in Black too.
hard,
dancing.

i’m gone.

TNT is next
and a hot blonde
AC/DC
rocker tattoo chick
passes  by
leans in,

“That,

is good.”

as i’m moving it
TNT

i am
dynamite.
watch
me explode.

“:Thank you.”

Whole Lotta Rosie.

do you know how to dance?

watch me.

i’ll teach you.
i’ll reach you.
i’ll touch you.

and then the hottest 20 minute version
of Let There Be Rock
imaginable
okay, i tend to exaggerate.

it was long.
it was sublime.
it was ecstasy.
narco/cool/trip/hop/dream/scape.

i’m flying.into the red/hot,encore

Highway To Hell.
oh my.
and finally,

it’s time for The Saute

and that’s when i stop
dancing
say goodbyes
and hugs for beautiful women
in my life
and move and everywhere
people are dancing and storming
1000s
all around the Stadium

This is
The Power Age.
AC/DC.
Electricity.
Flames.
Heat.
Seeking.
Missiles.
Exploding.
Dance.
Rock.
Punk.
DIY.
AC
DC.

August 22
Winnipeg.
Garbage Hill,
Stadium.