Just got back from Vancouver (had no pc access all weekend)
 
All I can say is…what a weekend! 
 
The festivities began early on Friday morning and continued throughout the
weekend.  After getting the kids off to school on Friday morning, my wife and I
headed to the airport, where we met several other fans flying out to Vancouver
from Calgary to see the boys.  One guy we met had won a radio contest and was
flying out for the weekend to see them for his second time.  However, it was 20
years since he last saw them so he was really pumped to see them again.  In the
line while waiting to go through security, we met a 9 year old kid (wearing an
AC/DC t-shirt) with his family.  A ticket to the show was his birthday gift. 
This kid was really into it and couldn’t wait to see them.  His mother told us
how she was hoping beyond hope to get tickets online when he expressed interest
in going.  Luckily, she was able to get them.  Actually, considering the show
sold out in 4 minutes, she was pretty lucky indeed.  They were nosebleeds but
she didn’t
care.  We also met another fan club member who had a less than ideal
experience.  He logged on to ticketmaster and ended up losing the tickets
because his browser locked up.  He ended up buying tickets privately for much
more than face value…but once again, he didn’t care.
 
We were very surprised to find that once we got on the plane that about half the
passengers were going to the show.  It was a real party atmosphere.  It
certainly made the flight much shorter than it actually was.  Upon landing, you
know how the pilot always comes on and gives his greeting.  Well, when we
landed, he said “FOR THOSE of you who live in Vancouver, welcome home.  FOR
THOSE of you who are just visiting, have a safe visit and FOR THOSE ABOUT TO
ROCK…”, to which we all screamed “We Salute You.”  That pretty much set the tone
for the rest of the day.  You could tell as you were walking around downtown
Vancouver that people were getting up for the show.  There were lots of people
wearing AC/DC shirts walking around.  Perfect strangers were walking up to each
other giving high 5's in anticipation.
 
The paperless ticket was really a non factor.  There were two gates set aside
and we got through the lineup pretty quickly.  One thing though, if you’re
looking at bringing a camera and are hesitant, I would suggest you not be. 
Security were pretty well checking only the ladies with hand bags and the
younger guys.  Us 40 somethings got off pretty easy.  Guess we weren’t that
intimidating.
 
The lineup for shirts, etc was chaotic.  It wasn’t really a line, more of a mosh
pit than anything.  Regardless, I walked away with three shirts.  I wasn’t
really interested in the horns.
 
I managed to take my seat at about 7:50 and saw the last 10 minutes of The
Answer.  Not being familiar with their music, it was hard to tell whether they
were good or not.  There was a lot of distortion.  But, it didn’t matter to me,
I was there to see AC/DC.  While waiting for the boys, I met a guy from St.
John’s Newfoundland sitting immediately behind me.  He had flown all the way
across the continent – just for the show.  This pal from Vancouver bought two
tickets and one was for him.  So, he went from the most easterly point in North
America to nearly the most westerly point (excluding Alaska).  Adding more
intrigue was the fact that this was his first time seeing the band.  The guy
stood in awe the entire show as if he couldn’t believe he was there.
 
The boys took the stage promptly at 8:30.  The cartoon at the beginning really
set the stage for the show.  It was full steam ahead, a rock in your face type
of night.  It was the perfect opening to the show.
 
The set list was the same as we’ve seen in other venues.  After opening with RNR
Train, Brian screamed to the crowd “That song was born right here!”, to which
the place went nuts.
 
What can you say about the performance, it was AC/DC.  The show was absolutely
fantastic.  I did manage to take a couple of pics with my cell phone which
actually didn’t turn out that bad.  I sent them to a friend of mine this morning
and he told me that the guy who sits next to him at work was green with envy
after seeing how close I was to Angus and Brian.  My seats were immediately next
to the lift at the end of the catwalk. 
 
For anyone that believes “The Jack” does not belong in their set list any
longer, you’re full of it.  This was one of the highlights of the show.  The
entire place was screaming “She’s Got The Jack”.  It made the hair on the back
of my neck stand.  It was during this that Angus did his striptease.  He managed
to keep his clothes on for 45 minutes.
 
The highlight for me, other than The Jack, was the 13 minute version of Let
There Be Rock, during which Angus dripped on me. 
 
My wife, who really isn’t the biggest AC/DC fan in the world, loved the show. 
She was completely amazed at how Angus could go for 1h 50m at his pace.   She
did say he looks rather sinister now with the receding hairline and his growl.
 
All in all, this was better than the SUL show I saw back in 2001.  I can really
say without a doubt that there are not a lot of bands in their class in the
world.  If I can get tickets to another show, I will definitely be going again. 
 
The set list was great.  Even when I’ve read that they slow down in the middle
with Black Ice and such, even those tunes were awesome!  Loved Big Jack, Shoot
to Thrill, Rosie (with her riding the train) and the closer FTATR!  Then again,
they were all great!  If you're still waiting to see them on this tour, you're
in for a treat.  The boys were in top form!!!!!!
 
After the show, we met some friends for a few beers and after getting back to
the hotel, met a junior hockey team partying it up in a limo in the parking
lot.  Spent a few minutes chatting with those guys and ended up hitting the
hotel bar.  All in all a great night.
 
At the end of the night, my buddy asks me what I was going to do for excitement
for the rest of the weekend…..turns out we had a fire in the hotel the following
night with a 7 truck alarm.  The entire block was closed to traffic and we drank
for free in the hotel bar.  My wife and I had dinner reservations at a high end
restaurant at 8:00 but couldn't get up to our room to change.  Called the
restaurant and they told us to come on down.  We may have been the most
underdressed couple in the place, but the floor manager took very good care of
us.  Ended up with free appy's and had an awesome dinner!  The staff were very
understanding of our situation and went out of their way to accommodate us.
 
On the flight back, I wore one of the shirts and I had people coming up to me
asking how the show went.  We ended up meeting the same family that we met in
the security line on the way to Vancouver - the one with the 9 year old kid.  I
asked how he liked it.  The father told me that he stood on his chair and
screamed for the entire show.
 
Ken




________________________________
From: kickinitrock <mejean@...>
To: bonscott@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 5:57:48 PM
Subject: Bon Scott KEN????


So, Ken... have you recovered yet? :D I'm waiting with EXCITED
anticipation for your concert report!

{{HUGS}}
Kick




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