Top 5 AC/DC Concert Opening Songs

Whether they’re building tension or coming out swinging, our list of Top 5 AC/DC Concert Opening Songs proves they’re masters of starting a show with high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll.

The Aussie rockers have never exactly prided themselves on diversity — theygleefullyrecycle chords to craft a seemingly endless supply of iconic riffs, and they’ve been delivering fairly standard, meat-and-potatoes set lists for decades. Instead, blunt-force impact and relentless, infectious energy have always been AC/DC’s stock in trade.

As a result, most of their showopeners over the years have beenbeloved hits or well-worn fan favorites. And that’s just fine, because no matter what song they choose to kick off their concerts,theyalways hit like a wrecking ball.

READ MORE: Top 5 Kiss Concert Opening Songs

Read on to see the Top 5 AC/DC Concert Opening Songs.

5. “Hells Bells”

From:Back in Black (1980)
Tours: Back in Black (1980-81) / For Those About to Rock (1981-82)

With itsominous bell tolling and sinister, arpeggiated riff, the opening track offBack in Blackoffers one of the album’s few moments of respite. It’s a strong bit of counter-programming both live and on record, building the tension to a breaking point before the song explodes into full-throttle metallic mayhem. AC/DC knew they had struck gold with “Hells Bells,” hence why they opened their shows with it on the Back in Black and For Those About to Rock tours.

4. “Back in Black”

From:Back in Black
Tour: Ballbreaker (1996)

It doesn’t get more iconic than this. With its earth-shaking riffs and lighter-waving chorus,”Back in Black” rightfully remains one of AC/DC’s career-defining songs andis precision-engineered to work audiences into a frenzy. Every timethe Aussieshit the stage to the tune of “Back in Black” — which they didon 1996’s Ballbreaker tour— theygavefans ablistering reminderthat they were back with a vengeance. Don’t try to push your luck, just get out of their way.

3. “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”

From:Highway to Hell (1979)
Tour: Power Trip (2023) / Power Up (2024-25)

There was a lot riding on AC/DC’s 2023 Power Trip performance.Could these injury-ridden senior citizens still summon the thunder after seven years away from the stage? AC/DCanswered that question with an emphatic “hell yes” when theystormed the Coachella Valley with “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It),” the anthemic album cut offHighway to Hell. It was the first time in their half-century career that they’d used it as a show opener, and their first time performing it with Brian Johnson since 2003. Itwas such a rousing success that AC/DC continued slotting it first on their 2024-2025 Power Up tour. Fans wanted blood, and they got it.

2. “Riff Raff”

From:Powerage (1978)
Tour: Powerage (1978)

One of the hardest, fastest songs in AC/DC’s catalog, “Riff Raff” opens with a series of aggressively strummed chords that practically taunt the audience about the maelstromAngus Young is about to unleash. After working listeners into a lather, the band crashes in with a steamrolling riff and a groove that just doesn’t quit.Different AC/DCshow openers achieve different goals — “Riff Raff” isthe perfect tone setter for a sweaty, breathless punkshow. For proof, just listen to the incendiary version that opens their 1978 live albumIf You Want Blood You’ve Got It.

1. “Live Wire”

From:T.N.T. (1975)
Tours: High Voltage (1975) / T.N.T. (1975-76) / Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976-77) / Powerage (1978) / If You Want Blood (1978-79) / Highway to Hell (1979)

No band can wring as much life out of three chords asAC/DC. “Live Wire,” which served asa stalwart show opener in their early years, is a prime example.The songbeginswith a slow-burning chug, then gathers steamonce the vocals enter, with Bon Scott serving libidinous swagger and thinly-veiled menace. “Live Wire” climaxes during Young’s fiery solo, then ratchets up the tension again witha guitarbreak augmented by cymbal catches. For a song with barely a handful of chords, it’s a masterclass in dynamics — and its 1979 rendition onLet There Be Rock: The Movie – Live in Parisshows why it’sthe best concert-opening song in their oeuvre.