AC/DC Performs 'Jailbreak' Live for First Time in 34 Years.

2 hours ago7 min read

The roar that erupted from Perth's Optus Stadium wasn't just a sound; it was a seismic event, a collective gasp of disbelief that shook the very foundations of rock and roll nostalgia. AC/DC, the unyielding titans who have soundtracked rebellion for half a century, did the unthinkable at their first Australian show in a decade: they reached back into the vault and unleashed 'Jailbreak.' For the faithful gathered, this wasn't merely a song addition; it was the resurrection of a holy relic, performed live for the first time in 34 long years, a period spanning entire generations of fans who had only ever experienced its raw power through crackling vinyl or grainy YouTube clips. The track, a cornerstone of their 1976 album 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,' is more than just a deep cut; it's a narrative masterpiece, a cinematic tale of a prison escape set to a relentless, blues-soaked riff that defined an era of unapologetic hard rock.Its absence from setlists since the late 1980s had elevated it to near-mythical status, a whispered legend among the AC/DC congregation, a track so coveted that its live return felt as likely as Bon Scott himself taking the stage. The moment the iconic siren wail and that unmistakable, prowling bassline from Cliff Williams cut through the Australian night, the crowd was instantly transported.This was a gift, a reward for patient devotion, a deliberate nod from a band that rarely trades in sentimentality to the core of their legacy. Frontman Brian Johnson, his voice a glorious, weathered instrument, spat out the story of a man breaking his chains with a visceral energy that defied time, while Angus Young’s Gibson SG wailed with the same frantic, schoolboy-uniformed fury it did in 1976.In the current musical landscape, where setlists are often algorithmically safe and bands stick rigidly to their greatest hits, this was a bold, almost rebellious act. It signaled a band in full command of its history, confident enough to mine its rich past rather than simply service the expected anthems.It speaks to a unique relationship with their homeland; Australia is not just a tour stop for AC/DC, it is their spiritual bedrock, and this performance was a raw, powerful love letter to the fans who have been there since the beginning. The decision to resurrect 'Jailbreak' recalibrates the entire conversation around legacy acts, proving that the deepest rewards often lie not in the predictable 'Highway to Hell' finale, but in the unexpected, earth-shattering thrill of a jailbreak long overdue.

#featured

#AC/DC

#Bon Scott

#Jailbreak

#live performance

#Australia

#back catalog

#classic rock