AC/DC Perth: Thousands descend on Optus Stadium for Power Up tour

Excited Perth fans have flocked to Optus Stadium dressed ready to rock and roll for AC/DC’s show on Thursday night.

Sisters Lacey, 27, and Miley Forrest, 16, said they had grown up listening to AC/DC, excited to spend a night rocking it out together.

“Dad is a hard Acca Dacca fan . . . it’s sentimental and I think it will be their last (tour),” Lacey said.

With Thursday marking her second musical gig ever, Miley was looking forward to hearing Highway to Hell live.

Phil Allum — a self-described “Fremantle boy” — said the band held a special place in his heart.

“Mate, we all relate to certain songs in life,” he said.

“Now, whether they’re sad songs or powerful songs, AC/DC’s got them all.

“Rock in peace, Bon Scott.

“I’m a Bon Scott fan ‘cause he’s a Fremantle boy, and AC/DC are the best Australian band.”

Troy Ransome was gearing up for his sixth AC/DC concert on Thursday while his daughter, Mayra, was bracing for her first.

“AC/DC is f.....g eternal,” Mr Ransome said.

“It doesn’t matter how old they get . . . they are still AC/DC.

“I always said if they ever came back to Perth I’d take the youngest to AC/DC — so that’s what happened.”

Hours before thousands descended on Optus Stadium, some fans travelled to Fremantle Cemetery paying respects to the burial place of AC/DC legendary rocker and former lead vocalist Bon Scott.

Diehard fan Diana Duggan, 63, was one of the first in line on Thursday afternoon, joined by her daughter who had also fallen in love with the rockers.

Ms Duggan reflected on the moment she met Bon Scott after a show before his death in 1980.

“I had a music family of girls and we used to follow a lot of the bands, and we always knew that backstage of the entertainment centre was the place to hang out,” she said.

“Bon loved his fans — he absolutely adored them — and it wasn’t unusual for him to come out and greet his fans.

“This particular day, they had the tour bus parked at the back of the entertainment centre, and they were all on the tour bus.

“So the door just flew open out he came. . . and it was just cheeky central. He was so inviting.”

Thursday’s show will mark the band’s fourth leg of their Power Up tour, which kicked off in Melbourne on November 12 before the show headed to Sydney and Adelaide.

Angus Young will take the stage on lead guitar while Brian Johnson will handle vocals.

Stevie Young will rock it as rhythm guitarist while Matt Laug handles drums and Chris Chaney bass guitar.

AC/DC will take the stage at 8.30pm and will be supported by Amyl and The Sniffers and Southern River Band.

Gates at Optus Stadium opened at 5pm.

Perth will also host a second AC/DC show on Monday.