AC/DC’s Epic Melbourne Gig Shakes the Earth – Literally!

AC/DC’s highly anticipated return to Australia on Wednesday (November 12) for their first hometown show in a decade was nothing short of seismic. The legendary rock band performed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the start of their ‘PWR UP’ tour, and it turns out their performance was so powerful, it set off earthquake detectors.

Residents up to 10 kilometres away reported hearing the thunderous sound of the concert, and reports from the Seismology Research Centre confirmed that seismic vibrations were registered as far as 3.5 kilometres from the venue. Adam Pascale, chief scientist at the Centre, explained that vibrations in the two to five hertz range were detected during the show. These vibrations were caused not only by the massive sound waves from the concert but also by the crowd’s energetic movements, particularly when the audience jumped in unison.

Pascale clarified, “The sound waves people were feeling through their bodies are essentially the same as what our seismographs detect. We’re picking up ground motion, not just the sound in the air.” He added that the combined vibrations from the speakers and the crowd amplified the effect, which is why the seismic sensors picked up the energy so clearly.

In addition to the seismic excitement, fans were treated to a setlist packed with AC/DC’s greatest hits, including ‘Back In Black’, ‘Thunderstruck’, and ‘Shoot To Thrill’. For the first time in 34 years, the band also brought back ‘Jailbreak’ to the stage.

The band’s ‘PWR UP’ Australian tour continues with the following dates:

The ‘PWR UP’ tour is in support of AC/DC’s 2020 album of the same name, which has been praised for staying true to the band’s classic rock roots. As NME put it, “‘Power Up’ is a joyous celebration of the unbridled heavy rock that has served them well for almost 50 years.”

Looks like AC/DC’s explosive return to Australia is more than just a musical event – it’s a force of nature!