June 11, 2010 22:39

AC/DC headline their own stage at Download

Rockers play pyrotechnic-fuelled 'best of' set

Photo: Danny North

AC/DC pulled out all the rock and roll stops for their headline set on their own stage at Download festival tonight (June 11).

Opening with 'Rock N' Roll Train', a life-size model of a steam train burst through the back of the stage – which featured two inflatable horned caps on its top, each emblazoned with the letter 'A' – as the band entered and fireworks shot down the walkway that went through the middle of the crowd.

"We're here for one reason and that's to rock and roll, and the party starts right now," said frontman Brian Johnson after the first song.

With no other bands playing on the site at the same time, AC/DC started their two-hour set at 8.30pm.

Legendary guitarist Angus Young flashed the crowd his boxer shorts, which were emblazoned with the AC/DC logo during 'The Jack' whilst Johnson swung from a giant bell which was lowered down from the top of the stage during 'Hell's Bells'.

The hit-packed set included 'You Shook Me All Night Long', 'T.N.T.' and 'Whole Lotta Rosie', which saw a giant inflatable woman with a sizable bosom straddling the train at the back of the stage. "We bought an old girlfriend tonight, goes by the name of Rosie," said Johnson as the underwear-clad inflatable wobbled in time to the music.

For their two-song encore, the band played an enthusiastic version of 'Highway To Hell' – which saw Young wearing a set of red devil horns – and 'For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)', which ended with a blaze of pyrotechnics and flashing multicoloured lights across the top of the stage.

AC/DC played:

'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'
'High Voltage'
'You Shook Me All Night Long'
'T.N.T.'
'Whole Lotta Rosie'
'Let There Be Rock'
'Highway To Hell'
'For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)'

NME is coming live from the Download and Isle Of Wight festivals this weekend. Head to NME.COM/festivals for the latest news, photos, videos, blogs and more straight from both sites.