judas priest tour california

JUDAS PRIEST announce 2024 U.S. tour

Revolver has teamed with Judas Priest for an exclusive blue vinyl variant of their new album,  Invisible Shield.  It's limited to 1,000 —  order yours!

Judas Priest 's first new album in six years, Invincible Shield , arrives next spring, the band aren't wasting a moment before taking it on the road. 

Today (November 14th), the NWOBHM gods have announced a 2024 U.S. headlining tour where they'll be joined by Swedish power-metal vets Sabaton. 

The trek begins April 18th in Wallingford, CT, and will travel from coast to coast before wrapping up in Syracuse, NY, on May 22nd. 

Tickets go on sale Friday November 17th at 10 a.m. local time. See the itinerary below. 

Invincible Shield marks Priest's first full-length album since 2018's Firepower , and it's now up for pre-order in a variety of formats. These include a limited-edition blue vinyl variant exclusively available via Revolver's shop and those of our sister brands. Only 1,000 made —  order yours now .

Judas Priest 2024 U.S. tour dates:  Apr 18 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre Apr 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center Apr 21 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena Apr 24 – Bangor, ME – Cross Insurance Center Apr 25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway Apr 27 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Center Apr 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River May 01 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre May 02 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory May 4 - Kalamazoo, MI - Wings Event Center May 05 – Maryland Heights, MO – St Louis Music Park May 07 - Huntsville, AL - VBC Propst Arena May 09 - Daytona, FL - Welcome to Rockville May 11 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre May 12 - Mobile, AL - Mobile Civic Center Arena May 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion May 17 - Evansville, IN - Ford Center May 19 – Washington, DC –The Theater at MGM National Harbor May 21 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena May 22 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Judas Priest (@judaspriest)

JUDAS PRIEST kick off 'Invincible Shield'...

"I don't give a fuck": ROB HALFORD on...

SLAYER, MAIDEN, SLIPKNOT and CRÜE headline...

PORNO FOR PYROS announce farewell tour

TOOL announce 2024 European tour

PANTERA announce winter tour with LAMB OF GOD

MY CHEM, ADTR, COHEED and more playing When We Were Young 2024

SLIPKNOT, LIMP BIZKIT, KERRY KING, more playing Welcome to Rockville 2024

TOOL expand 2024 U.S. tour

MUNICIPAL WASTE announce 'Waste 'Em All' 21st anniversary tour

LAMB OF GOD, DETHKLOK, CHIMAIRA, more playing Headbangers Boat 2024

• Skip to content
• Accessibility
• Buy Tickets

Judas Priest: 50 Heavy Metal Years

• Date Nov 7 , 2022
• Event Starts 8:00 PM
• Doors Open 7:00 PM
• On Sale On Sale Now

Event Details

Click here for passes in The Rock Lounge

Line Up:  Judas Priest, Queensryche

Updated policies and procedures are now in place in addition to our Code of Conduct – please read and be prepared to comply:

• Guests entering Toyota Arena are not required but are strongly recommended to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
• All bags and purses may not exceed 12"x12" in dimension to be allowed in the venue
• Bring your credit – card – Toyota Arena is a “cashless” venue. Credit card only for tickets, parking, food, beverage, and merchandise

For a complete list of policies please click  here .

Judas Priest

All upcoming events.

Toyota Oakdale Theatre | Wallingford, CT

• Rock The Lounge Early Access & Pre-Show at Judas Priest
• Fast Lane JUDAS PRIEST
• Rockstar Parking Judas Priest

Prudential Center | Newark, NJ

The santander arena | reading, pa, cross insurance center | bangor, me.

• Preferred Parking: Judas Priest Lot B
• Preferred Parking: Judas Priest Lot A

MGM Music Hall at Fenway | Boston, MA

• Fast Lane Access - Judas Priest (Not a Concert Ticket)
• Truly Rooftop Access - Judas Priest (Not A Concert Ticket) 21+
• MassMutual Lounge Access - Judas Priest (NOT A CONCERT TICKET)

Covelli Centre | Youngstown, OH

Everwise amphitheater at white river state park | indianapolis, in.

• Premier Garage Parking: Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket
• Indianapolis Zoo Pre-Paid Parking: Judas Priest - Not a Concert Tix
• Everwise VIP Parking: Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket
• Everwise VIP Club: Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket
• Everwise VIP Club & Parking: Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket
• Everwise Fast Lane Access: Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket
• Live Nation Blanket: Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket

Rosemont Theatre | Rosemont, IL

Armory | minneapolis, mn, saint louis music park | maryland heights, mo, judas priest presented by kshe 95, propst arena at the von braun center | huntsville, al, judas priest - invincible shield tour.

Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, FL

Welcome to rockville, ameris bank amphitheatre | alpharetta, ga.

• Premier Parking: Judas Priest - NOT A CONCERT TICKET
• Beaver Toyota Lounge: Judas Priest - NOT A CONCERT TICKET
• Fast Lane: Judas Priest - NOT A CONCERT TICKET
• Oversized Vehicle Parking: Judas Priest - NOT A CONCERT TICKET

Mobile Civic Center Arena | Mobile, AL

Pnc music pavilion | charlotte, nc.

• Parking Upgrades: Judas Priest - This is NOT a Concert Ticket
• VIP Club Access: Judas Priest - This is NOT a Concert Ticket
• Fast Lane: Judas Priest - This Is NOT a Concert Ticket

Historic Crew Stadium | Columbus, OH

Sonic temple art + music festival, ford center | evansville, in, judas priest: invincible shield tour, the theater at mgm national harbor | national harbor , md, mvp arena | albany, ny, empower federal credit union amphitheater at lakeview | syracuse, ny.

• Premier Parking - Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket
• Fast Lane Access - Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket
• Lakeview Lawn Chair Rental - Judas Priest
• Live Nation Blanket- Judas Priest - Not a Concert Ticket

Nokia Arena | Tampere, FINLAND

Sweden Rock Festival | Sölvesborg, SWEDEN

Sweden rock festival 2024.

AFAS Live | Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS

Festivalpark Stenehei | Dessel, BELGIUM

Graspop metal meeting 2024, royal arena | copenhagen, denmark, judas priest: invincible shield tour europe 2024.

Ekebergsletta | Oslo, NORWAY

Tons of rock 2024, latest setlist, judas priest on march 30, 2024.

Metal Masters 2024

TAURON Arena Kraków, Kraków, Poland

Popular Tracks

Judas Priest Announces The Invincible Shield Tour

Sabaton To Join Across All Shows

Tickets available starting wednesday, november 15 with artist presale, general onsale begins on friday, november 17 at 10am local on judaspriestinvincibleshield.com.

Today, heavy metal titans Judas Priest have announced their Invincible Shield Tour with special guest Sabaton. The all-time greats will take over the U.S.A. this spring with 14 shows. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on April 18 at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT making stops in Reading, PA; Boston, MA; Rosemont, IL; Washington, DC and more before wrapping up in Syracuse, NY at Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview on May 22. Full ticketing and tour dates are available below. Metalheads are in for the show of a lifetime as few rock or metal acts remain as much of a must-see live attraction as Judas Priest.

Also, on Friday 17 th November JUDAS PRIEST will release ‘Trial By Fire’ the second song from their highly-anticipated new album Invincible Shield after the acclaimed lead single ‘Panic Attack’ – judaspriest.lnk.to/InvincibleShield .

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale beginning on Wednesday, November 15. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, November 17 at 10am local time at judaspriestinvincibleshield.com .

JUDAS PRIEST: INVINCIBLE SHIELD TOUR DATES:

Thu Apr 18 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre

Fri Apr 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

Sun Apr 21 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena

Wed Apr 24 – Bangor, ME – Cross Insurance Center

Thu Apr 25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway

Sat Apr 27 – Youngstown, OH – Covelli Center*

Sun Apr 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River

Wed May 01 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre

Thu May 02 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory

Sat May 4 – Kalamazoo, MI – Wings Event Center*

Sun May 05 – Maryland Heights, MO – St Louis Music Park

Tue May 07 – Huntsville, AL – VBC Propst Arena*

Thu May 09 – Daytona, FL – Welcome to Rockville^

Sat May 11 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Sun May 12 – Mobile, AL – Mobile Civic Center Arena*

Tue May 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

Fri May 17 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center*

Sun May 19 – Washington, DC –The Theater at MGM National Harbor

Tue May 21 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena

Wed May 22 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview

* Not a Live Nation Date

^Festival Performance

ABOUT JUDAS PRIEST

Judas Priest, a powerhouse in the world of heavy metal has spent over 50 years crafting a legendary career. Emerging from Birmingham in 1969, their impact and influence in the genre remain unparalleled. The band originally solidified their place in music history with iconic albums like ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ and ‘Sin After Sin’ known for metal anthems like ‘Sinner’ and ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ while pioneering the leather-and-studs image now synonymous with the metal culture

The ’80s marked their pinnacle with classic albums ‘British Steel’, ‘Screaming for Vengeance’, and ‘Defenders of the Faith’, generating timeless hits like ‘Breaking the Law’. Despite lineup changes and various challenges, the band’s resilience remained unwavering. In 2018 Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill and Scott Travis released ‘Firepower’ which soared as one of their most successful albums, backed by an extensive global tour

Amid health setbacks and the pandemic, they persevered with a 50th-anniversary tour and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Preparing for the release of their 19th studio album ‘Invincible Shield’ and a headlining performance at the 2023 PowerTrip Music Festival, Judas Priest’s unwavering dedication to spreading their heavy metal legacy continues, promising to rock on into 2024 and beyond.

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com .

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Judas Priest

Chip Ruggieri | [email protected]

Live Nation Concerts

Monique Sowinski | [email protected]

Valeska Thomas | [email protected]

Read more about

• McCartney's Fave Beatles Song
• Springsteen Albums Ranked
• The Women of Mick Jagger
• Triumph Won't Make Rock Hall
• Frehley : Too Nervous to Stand
• Skid Row Parts Ways With Singer

Judas Priest Announces 2024 Invincible Shield Tour

Judas Priest  will launch a tour in the spring in support of their upcoming album, Invincible Shield . The run will start a little more than a month after the release of the new LP on March 8.

The Invincible Shield Tour starts on April 18 in Wallingford, Connecticut, and is currently scheduled through May 22 in Syracuse, New York.

You can see a full list of the announced tour dates below.

READ MORE: Judas Priest Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide

Swedish metal band Sabaton will open all shows on the Judas Priest tour in 2024.

Where Is Judas Priest Playing in 2024?

The tour includes 20 dates in cities ranging from Newark and Boston to Mobile, Alabama, and Albany, New York. The concerts will make one stop on May 5 at Daytona's Welcome to Rockville festival.

Invincible Shield marks the band's first album since 2018's Firepower . The first track from the LP, " Panic Attack ," came out last month. A new song, "Trial by Fire," will be released on Friday.

Judas Priest recently performed at the inaugural Power Trip festival in Indio, California, last month.

Tickets for Judas Priest's Invincible Shield Tour will be available with a presale on Wednesday; the general sale starts on Friday at 10 a.m. local time at the band's website .

Judas Priest Invincible Shield Tour 2024 April 18 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre April 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center April 21 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena April 24 – Bangor, ME – Cross Insurance Center April 25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway April 27 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Center April 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River May 01 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre May 02 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory May 4 - Kalamazoo, MI - Wings Event Center May 05 – Maryland Heights, MO – St Louis Music Park May 07 - Huntsville, AL - VBC Propst Arena May 09 - Daytona, FL - Welcome to Rockville May 11 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre May 12 - Mobile, AL - Mobile Civic Center Arena May 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion May 17 - Evansville, IN - Ford Center May 19 – Washington, DC –The Theater at MGM National Harbor May 21 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena May 22 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview

Judas Priest Albums Ranked

Gallery Credit: Ultimate Classic Rock Staff

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

• Consequence

Judas Priest Announce Spring 2024 US Tour

In support of their upcoming album Invincible Shield

Judas Priest have announced a Spring 2024 US tour with direct support from Sabaton .

The “Invincible Shield” outing kicks off April 18th in Wallingford, Connecticut, and runs through May 22nd in Syracuse, New York. Along the way, Priest will make a stop at the Welcome to Rockville festival on May 9th in Dayton Beach, Florida.

Fans can look for deals or get tickets to sold-out dates via StubHub , where your purchase is 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s Fan Protect program.

The upcoming trek will follow the release of Judas Priest’s highly anticipated new album Invincible Shield on March 8th, as well as a UK/European tour in March/early April.

So far, we’ve heard the lead single from the album, “Panic Attack,” and the second single “Trial by Fire” is set to drop on Friday (November 17th), according to a press release.

Get Judas Priest Tickets Here

Below you can see the full list of Judas Priest’s 2024 tour dates. Get tickets here .

Judas Priest’s 2024 Tour Dates: 03/11 – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro 03/13 – Leeds, UK @ First Direct Arena 03/15 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3 Arena 03/17 – Bournemouth, UK @ International Centre 03/19 – Birmingham, UK @ Resorts World Arena 03/21 – London, UK @ OVO Arena Wembley 03/24 – Frankfurt, DE @ Festhalle 03/25 – Munich, DE @ Olympiahalle 03/27 – Dortmund, DE @ Westfalenhalle 03/29 – Prague, CZ @ O2 Arena 03/30 – Krakow, PL @ Tauron Arena 04/01 – Vienna, AT @ Stadthalle 04/03 – Basel, CH @ Jacobshalle 04/05 – Lyon, FR @ Tony Garnier 04/06 – Milan, IT @ Mediolanum Forum 04/08 – Paris, FR @ Zenith 04/18 – Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre * 04/19 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center * 04/21 – Reading, PA @ Santander Arena * 04/24 – Bangor, ME @ Cross Insurance Center * 04/25 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway * 04/27 – Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center * 04/28 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River * 05/01 – Rosemont, IL @ Rosemont Theatre * 05/02 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory * 05/04 – Kalamazoo, MI @ Wings Event Center * 05/05 – Maryland Heights, MO @ St Louis Music Park * 05/07 – Huntsville, AL @ VBC Propst Arena * 05/09 – Daytona, FL @ Welcome to Rockville 05/11 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre * 05/12 – Mobile, AL @ Mobile Civic Center Arena * 05/14 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion * 05/17 – Evansville, IN @ Ford Center * 05/19 – Washington, DC @ The Theater at MGM National Harbor * 05/21 – Albany, NY @ MVP Arena * 05/22 – Syracuse, NY @ Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview *

* = w/ Sabaton

Personalized Stories

Around the web, latest stories.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Announce 2024 North American Tour Dates

March 30, 2024

Cake Confirm New US Tour Dates

St. Vincent Announces 2024 Tour Dates, Shares New Track "Flea": Stream

March 28, 2024

How to Get Tickets to Twenty One Pilots' "The Clancy World Tour"

March 27, 2024

Fozzy Announce 25th Anniversary US Tour

How to Get Tickets to Jhené Aiko's "The Magic Hour Tour"

March 26, 2024

Korn Announce Fall 2024 North American Tour with Gojira and Spiritbox

Brian Setzer's Stray Cats Announce 2024 US Tour

• Album Streams
• Upcoming Releases
• Film Trailers
• TV Trailers
• Pop Culture
• Album Reviews
• Concert Reviews
• Festival Coverage
• Film Reviews
• Cover Stories
• Hometowns of Consequence
• Song of the Week
• Album of the Month
• Behind the Boards
• Dustin ‘Em Off
• Top Album of 2022
• Top Songs of 2022
• Top Films of 2022
• Track by Track
• Top 100 Songs Ever
• Crate Digging
• Top Albums of 2022
• Top TV Shows of 2022
• Top Albums of All Time
• Festival News
• Festival Outlook
• How to Get Tickets
• Photo Galleries
• Consequence Daily
• Kyle Meredith
• Stanning BTS
• The Story Behind the Song
• The What Podcast
• The Spark Parade
• Going There with Dr. Mike
• Consequence Uncut
• Behind the Boys Club
• Two for the Road
• 90 Seconds or Less
• Battle of the Badmate
• Video Essays
• News Roundup
• First Time I Heard
• Beyond the Boys Club
• Mining Metal

Theme Weeks

• Industrial Week
• Marvel Week
• Disney Week
• Foo Fighters Week

Follow Consequence

Judas Priest Announces 2024 US Tour: See The Dates

By Katrina Nattress

November 15, 2023

Judas Priest are gearing up to release their new album Invisible Shield on March 8, and plan to take the album on the road first in the UK and Europe, then in the US. Their US tour is slated to begin April 18 in Wallington, Connecticut and wrap up May 22 in Syracuse, New York. Sabaton is set to support the full tour. See the full list of dates below ( which stop(s) do you think James Hetfield will be rocking out on? ).

Judas Priest 2024 US Tour Dates

04/18 – Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre

04/19 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center

04/21 – Reading, PA @ Santander Arena

04/24 – Bangor, ME @ Cross Insurance Center

04/25 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway

04/27 – Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center

04/28 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River

05/01 – Rosemont, IL @ Rosemont Theatre

05/02 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory

05/04 – Kalamazoo, MI @ Wings Event Center

05/05 – Maryland Heights, MO @ St Louis Music Park

05/07 – Huntsville, AL @ VBC Propst Arena

05/09 – Daytona, FL @ Welcome to Rockville

05/11 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

05/12 – Mobile, AL @ Mobile Civic Center Arena

05/14 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

05/17 – Evansville, IN @ Ford Center

05/19 – Washington, DC @ The Theater at MGM National Harbor

05/21 – Albany, NY @ MVP Arena

05/22 – Syracuse, NY @ Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview

© 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

• Win a Trip to a Big Rock Fest
• Album Release Calendar
• Festival Guide
• Heavy History

Judas Priest Announce 2024 U.S. Tour Dates With Sabaton

Heavy metal legends Judas Priest have just announced a 20-date 2024 U.S. tour in support of next year's new album,  Invincible Shield . Support on the run will come from power metal icons Sabaton .

Invincible Shield  will be Judas Priest's 19th studio album and is set for a March 8 release.

The band hit hard with the first single, " Panic Attack " and will follow it up with another new track, "Trial By Fire," this Friday (Nov. 17).

Just over one month after the album drops, Priest will hit the road, kicking things off in Wallingford, Connecticut on April 18, coming to a close back in the northeast in Syracuse, New York on May. 22

See all of the scheduled dates further down the page.

When Do Tickets Go on Sale?

A pre-sale will begin on Nov. 15 with the general on-sale starting on Nov. 17 at 10AM local time.

Visit Judas Priest's website for more ticketing details.

READ MORE:  The Best Album by 30 Legendary Metal Bands

Judas Priest 2024 Tour Dates With Sabaton

April 18 – Wallingford, Ct. @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre April  19 – Newark, N.J. @ Prudential Center April  21 – Reading, Penn. @ Santander Arena April  24 – Bangor, Maine @ Cross Insurance Center April  25 – Boston, Mass. @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway April  27 - Youngstown, Ohio @ Covelli Center* April  28 – Indianapolis, Ind. @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River May 01 – Rosemont, Ill. @ Rosemont Theatre May 02 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ The Armory May 4 - Kalamazoo, Mich. @ Wings Event Center* May 05 – Maryland Heights, Mo. @ St Louis Music Park May 07 - Huntsville, Ala. @ VBC Propst Arena* May 09 - Daytona, Fla. @ Welcome to Rockville^ May 11 – Alpharetta, Ga. @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre May 12 - Mobile, Ala. @ Mobile Civic Center Arena* May 14 – Charlotte, N.C. @ PNC Music Pavilion May 17 - Evansville, Ind. @ Ford Center* May 19 – Washington, D.C. @ The Theater at MGM National Harbor May 21 – Albany, N.Y. @ MVP Arena May 22 – Syracuse, N.Y. @ Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview *Not a Live Nation Date ^Festival Performance

The Best Metal Album of Each Year Since 1970

Gallery Credit: Loudwire Staff

More From Loudwire

Review: After seven-year absence, AC/DC proves the eternal joy of a riff and a screech

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Brian Johnson stood onstage at the Power Trip festival on Saturday night, two days after his 76th birthday, with the rest of AC/DC behind him for the first time in more than seven years.

In early 2016, the hard-rock band’s longtime frontman was forced off the road when doctors told him his hearing was at immediate risk; Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses stepped in to complete the group’s Rock or Bust tour. Thanks to technology he discovered on YouTube, Johnson regained enough hearing to make 2020’s “Power Up” album, which AC/DC framed as a tribute to founding guitarist Malcolm Young, who’d died in 2017. Then COVID scotched the band’s live plans.

“How cool is this?” Johnson asked as he looked out at a crowd filled with thousands of blinking light-up devil horns. Dressed as always in black jeans and a black T-shirt, tufts of hair poking out from beneath his signature flat cap, he allowed himself a few seconds to take in the sight — one he might’ve thought he wouldn’t see again — before cuing his bandmates to crank up “Back in Black.” The riff, of course, went off like a bomb.

At Power Trip, Guns N’ Roses ditches spectacle as it polishes the messy past

Guns N’ Roses headlined the first night of this weekend’s Power Trip hard rock festival with a show that lacked spectacle and mayhem.

Oct. 7, 2023

Was this gig at Power Trip — a three-day rock fest at the Empire Polo Club that also features Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Tool — a preamble to further road work from the reactivated AC/DC? The band hasn’t said one way or the other. (In addition to Johnson, the lineup here included lead guitarist Angus Young, Young’s nephew Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, bassist Cliff Williams and the veteran session and touring drummer Matt Laug in place of Phil Rudd, who’s faced a host of legal troubles in recent years.)

Yet it’s hard to see why these guys would opt not to keep playing. For one thing, those illuminated horns go for $20 a pop, to say nothing of the AC/DC T-shirts I’ve seen on what seems like every third person in the desert this weekend — not just at Power Trip but at the grocery store and the gas station and especially among the military-history enthusiasts at the Palm Springs Air Museum. On Saturday evening, the line snaking out of the festival merch tent was so long that you had to wonder if somebody was gonna miss AC/DC’s performance while waiting to buy an AC/DC hoodie.

More important, though, the band is simply still too good to hang it up; surely, the members — all in their 60s and 70s save for Laug, who’s 55 — recognize that that would constitute some kind of betrayal.

The group’s set, which lasted a little over two hours, stacked classic after classic (after classic): “Thunderstruck,” “Hells Bells,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” “Shoot to Thrill,” each delivered at deafening volume and with precisely the right blend of rawness and finesse. The Youngs sounded like they were using Brillo pads for guitar picks; Williams and Laug kept the grooves so square that somehow they were funky. Johnson’s voice, meanwhile, was a ruined screech, his words all but unintelligible — just the way you wanted it, not least when he voiced some horrifying idea about women’s bodies.

For visuals, the band had a giant wall of Marshall amplifiers and it had Angus Young, who duck-walked in his schoolboy uniform until he evidently got too hot for a jacket and tie; the guitarist spent the latter half of the show with his shirt open like the world’s swinging-est granddad at work on his old pickup. (Second-best look of the night came from Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, who opened his band’s set earlier Saturday in a silver jacket that evoked one of those crinkly trauma blankets.)

Naturally, AC/DC saved some of its biggest hits for near the end of the concert, and every time the band revved one of those indelible riffs — as in “You Shook Me All Night Long,” for instance, or “Highway to Hell” — you couldn’t believe you’d already heard so many all-timers without hearing this one. The show displayed absolutely no development of the group’s music because development is not what this group is about.

The whole point of AC/DC, which formed in 1973, is that the members stripped away everything unnecessary from rock music and found enough left to explore for half a century.

Half a century and then some, they made you hope on Saturday.

More to Read

Dead and Company, months after final tour, reunites for residency at Las Vegas Sphere

Feb. 1, 2024

A victory lap 50 years in the making: The Eagles say goodbye (maybe) at the Forum

Jan. 6, 2024

Rage Against the Machine will not tour or play live again, drummer Brad Wilk says

Jan. 4, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Mikael Wood is pop music critic for the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

‘Cowboy Carter’: Country crossover artists laud second act of Beyoncé’s album trilogy

March 29, 2024

Feds want Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ communications, flight records in sex-trafficking probe

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ does not feature Taylor Swift, despite Swiftie speculation

50 Cent denies Daphne Joy’s rape allegation after trolling her over mention in Diddy lawsuit

Aftershock Festival 2024: How To Get Tickets & More

H eavy metal and rock festival Aftershock is coming to Sacramento this October, and the lineup is going to be one hell of a ride. Headliners include Slayer, Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Pantera, Five Finger Death Punch, Judas Priest, Disturbed, and more. 

There will be dozens of additional bands performing, including Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, Rise Against, Seether, Flogging Molly, Mastodon, and so many more! We’ll break down how to get tickets before this killer music fest is completely sold out.

Aftershock Festival 2024 will start on Thursday, October 10 in Sacramento, California at Discovery Park with Slayer, Pantera, and more performing. The four-day fest will end on Sunday, October 13 with Disturbed, Motley Crue, and more closing out the event.

The main spot to get passes to Aftershock Fest is the festival website via Front Gate Tickets, where fans can get general admission passes, VIP passes, hotel packages and bundles, park and ride shuttle passes, and merchandise. 

Stubhub is another excellent spot to get your hands on tickets. This is going to be your main spot to get passes to Aftershock once they start selling out. Plus, Stubhub is protected by the FanProtect Guarantee, which guarantees that your tickets are 100% legitimate and free of scams. 

Tickets to Aftershock Festival 2024 are going to sell out soon, so don’t wait around! Get your tickets now before they’re gone.

Aftershock Festival 2024 Dates

Thursday, October 10 – Sacramento, CA – Discovery Park – Slayer, Pantera, and More

Friday, October 11 – Sacramento, CA – Discovery Park – Slipknot, Evanescence, and More

Saturday, October 12 – Sacramento, CA – Discovery Park – Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and More

Sunday, October 13 – Sacramento, CA – Discovery Park – Disturbed, Motley Crue, and More

Photo by Ethan Miller

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The post Aftershock Festival 2024: How To Get Tickets & More appeared first on American Songwriter .

Follow us on MSN: Click here