Yeah, so if you’re going to an AC/DC concert, you’re not expecting a quiet night in with a cup of tea and scones. You’re there for the face-melting riffs, Brian Johnson’s iconic screech, and Angus Young duck-walking across the stage like a man possessed. And, of course, the explosions. It’s rock and roll, not a library reading hour. But it seems some folks in Edinburgh didn’t get the memo.
AC-DC PWR UP Tour
The legendary rockers wrapped up their European ‘Power Up’ tour at Murrayfield stadium, and apparently, their grand finale fireworks were a bit much for the locals. According to environmental health officers, the pyrotechnics actually broke permitted noise levels. This led to a handful of official complaints from residents who were, presumably, shaken all night long.
Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution… Or Is It?
The City of Edinburgh Council received eight official complaints about the AC/DC show. Eight. To put that in perspective, a stadium that holds around 70,000 screaming fans managed to annoy just eight people with their fireworks. It almost seems like a badge of honor.
The complaints weren’t just about the show itself; they actually started during the band’s soundchecks the day before. One resident even complained their lights dimmed, suggesting the band was drawing an enormous amount of power. That, right there, is so freakin metal!
This isn’t the first time Murrayfield has been in the crosshairs of noise complaints. Oasis, who played a three-night residency at the same stadium, also racked up eight complaints. It seems Edinburgh is developing a bit of a reputation. Following the complaints, the council is now recommending a ban on fireworks at future stadium events. A rock show without pyrotechnics? What’s next, a library without books?
The Fallout: More Than Just Noise
The plot thickens when you actually look at the wider context. The proposed fireworks ban isn’t just about cranky neighbors. Animal welfare has become a serious issue. Residents have reported their pets being stressed and they have seen wildlife disturbed by all the ruckus and explosions. This is definitely a growing concern.
Last year, Roxie, a baby red panda as well as her mother, Ginger, at the nearby Edinburgh Zoo, very sadly died. The veterinary experts linked their deaths to the stress caused by fireworks around Bonfire Night. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has thrown its support behind the ban, hoping for a future of drone light shows instead of explosive displays.
While losing a red panda is horrible and undeniably tragic, lumping a rock concert’s finale in with city-wide, unregulated fireworks feels like a stretch. AC-DC has been playing loud and proud for 50 years. Their show is a finely tuned machine of auditory and visual spectacle. Taking away the pyrotechnics is like telling Angus Young to wear sensible trousers. No kilt. It just isn’t right.
It’s hard to imagine AC-DC finishing their show without a bang! For those about to rock, we salute you… but maybe just do it a little more quietly, please? Scotland, you’ve gotten a little soft.
AC/DC Hits Australia Soon
We’ll get to see how fans from Down Under will deal with the noise pollution shorty. AC-DC has some upcoming shows in Australia in November and December:
November:
12 – Melbourne, Australia – Melbourne Cricket Ground
16 – Melbourne, Australia – Melbourne Cricket Ground
21 – Sydney, Australia – Accor Stadium
25 – Sydney, Australia – Accor Stadium
30 – Adelaide, Australia – Adelaide Grand Final
December:
4 – Perth, Australia – Optus Stadium
8 – Perth, Australia – Optus Stadium
14 – Brisbane, Australia – Suncorp Stadium
18 – Brisbane, Australia – Suncorp Stadium
Catch them while you can! With or without pyrotechnics, these energetic rockers certainly put on a great – and a memorable show.
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