They’ve always had the anthem to remind us that rock ‘n’ roll will never die—but sometimes, we need that reminder to hit us like a bolt of lightning. On a cool evening at Soldier Field in Chicago, the granddaddies of them all—AC/DC—delivered just that.

With cannons blazing and a blood-red 1967 Chevy Impala straight out of a Supernatural episode, AC/DC roared onto the stage and blew away any remaining doubt about rock’s relevance in today’s world. In front of 60,000 screaming fans, the band launched into “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”—a song that captures the raw essence of what it means to be in a rock band: blood, sweat, tears, grit… and just a touch of sex.

They may be the elder statesmen of rock, but AC/DC played like a band possessed. There was no slowing down. No looking back. Just pure, electrified energy. They slayed the crowd like a dragon in Lord of the Rings, and for one night on Chicago’s magnificent lakefront, all was right in the world of rock and roll.

The music was thunderous, the lyrics deliciously unapologetic, and the guitar solo—hell, that solo—could’ve made the devil himself think twice about betting a fiddle of gold. It was a howlin’ good time, a full-throttle spectacle from a band that may be older in age, but still plays with the fire of their youth.

AC/DC melted away the years with every chord, reminding us all of their roots—just some lads from Australia, fronted by a Scotsman with a voice soaked in piss, vinegar, gravel, and glass. And it was beautiful.

They’re still holding the torch, waiting to pass it to a worthy heir. Because rock ‘n’ roll, real rock ‘n’ roll, must be played by humans—flawed, fiery, passionate. That’s something no machine or computer can replicate: the raw human spirit in musical form.

AC/DC reminded us of that truth last night—and they set the bar sky-high for whoever dares to follow.

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