| Tour byAC/DC | |
 Poster to the concerts in London and Glasgow, UK | |
| Location |
|
|---|---|
| Associated album | Black Ice |
| Start date | 26 October 2008 |
| End date | 28 June 2010 |
| Legs | 8 |
| No. of shows | 168 |
| Supporting acts |
|
| Box office | $441.6 million[a] |
| AC/DC concert chronology | |
| |
TheBlack Ice World Tour was aconcert tour by the Australianrock bandAC/DC, in support of their fifteenth studio albumBlack Ice, which was released on 20 October 2008.[2] This tour had 8 legs around the world lasting more than 20 months starting on 26 October 2008 inWilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and finishing on 28 June 2010 inBilbao,Spain.
The tour was the band's first since theStiff Upper Lip World Tour in 2000 and 2001.[3]
"It never gets boring," declared Johnson. "They're just the best rock band – and, just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, 'What the fuck?!' You're on again and you're thinking, 'This is ridiculous! I'm still grooving!'"[4]
The tour began with a North American leg, kicking off in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in late October and continuing until late December.[5] The initial leg was met with unprecedented demand, with 18 record sell-outs across the continent.[6] A second North American leg commenced in January 2009, ultimately culminating later in the month inNashville, Tennessee.[7]
In February 2009, the group began their first round of European shows, beginning inOslo and wrapping up inBirmingham, U.K. in April.[8] One of two dates scheduled inAntwerp, Belgium was cancelled after lead singer Brian Johnson fell ill.[9] On 29 March, the concert inZürich, Switzerland was postponed due to undisclosed "technical difficulties"[10] and was rescheduled for 6 April.[11]
In May 2009, the band commenced a second European leg – all in outdoor stadiums and venues – beginning inLeipzig, Germany and ended the following month inGlasgow, Scotland.[12]
In July 2009, the band started a third leg of North America, playing a mix of outdoor and indoor venues.[13] The tour reached many Canadian markets that had been missed on the previous two legs.[14] A fourth leg, which included dates in Mexico and Puerto Rico, followed in October and November.[15] The initial six dates on the leg were postponed after Johnson underwent a medical procedure which subsequently required rest.[16] Five of these shows were ultimately rescheduled for spring 2010; one date to be held inPhoenix, Arizona was cancelled due to a "scheduling conflict".
ToClassic Rock in July 2009,Brian Johnson remarked: "We were talking about the end of the tour and I said, 'We're finishing in May and that's me done!' But Malcolm said, 'What are you talking about? We're not gonna let you retire!'"[17]
In November and December 2009, the band headed to South America, playing shows in Brazil and Argentina.[18] The concerts inBuenos Aires were filmed for the DVDLive at River Plate, to be released on 10 May 2011.[19] Footage was also used in the video for "Shoot to Thrill", on theIron Man 2 soundtrack, along with another video with footage and audio from the Buenos Aires shows of "Highway to Hell" which is also featured in theIron Man 2 soundtrack. Earlier in November, it was falsely reported that a group of fans had issued a complaint to the band, criticising the setlist; it was merely a request to mix up the current touring setlist.[20][21]
In January 2010, the group began a round of dates in New Zealand,[22] subsequently reaching their native Australia in February.[23] The Australian shows were the fastest selling concerts in the history of the country, with extra dates added in most markets due to demand.[24] In early February, Johnson responded to the internet fans who had asked for a setlist change, saying "Fuck them", and that the stage show was too complicated for them to change songs easily.[25] Following the Australian tour, which ended inPerth, Western Australia, the group played three shows in Japan.
On the Oceania tour leg from 28 January 2010 – 8 March 2010, "High Voltage" was played in tribute toBon Scott around the 30th anniversary of his death. Scott appeared on the screen during the chorus.
In April 2010, the band returned to the United States to play the five shows rescheduled from October 2009. Later that month,Iron Man 2 – soundtrack to thefilm of the same name – was released. It comprised a host of the group's hits and lesser-known songs from early to recent years, and debuted at number four on theBillboard 200 album chart.
In May 2010, the band commenced a third leg of Europe, which included an appearance at theDownload Festival in the U.K. "The reports that AC/DC believe their record-breakingfourth appearance at the Donington site to be their own gig, rather than part of the festival, is compounded by the fact that they've brought their own stage," remarkedClassic Rock. "In Brian Johnson's grunted banter between songs there's no reference to this being anything other than another AC/DC gig, but another AC/DC gig these days is better than almost anything else you're gonna see."[26]
In Oslo in late May, the group were forced to cut their set short due to the local curfew, after an aircraft malfunction caused a delay to the band's arrival. "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" was omitted from the setlist for the first time since 30 July 2003.[27] The tour wrapped up inBilbao, Spain atEstadio San Mamés in late June.
The tour won the "Major Tour of the Year" award at the 2009 Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.[28] The tour was also nominated in the "Top Tour" and "Top Draw" categories at the 2009Billboard Touring Awards.[29] According toBillboard, the tour "has clearly tapped into a demand for AC/DC, resulting from the band's eight-year absence from touring, and takes its place as one of the band's most successful tours."[30]
By the tour's culmination, the group had played over 160 shows to approximately 4.9 million people. It was one of history's highest grossing concert tours, grossing $441.6 million, third behindThe Rolling Stones'A Bigger Bang Tour, which grossed $558.3 million in the mid-2000s, andU2's360° Tour, which grossed $736.1 million in 2011. It dropped to fourth place afterRoger Waters'The Wall Live tour when the latter ended in 2013.
Encore
Notes
| Date (2008) | City | Country | Venue | Opening act | Attendance | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 October[b] | Wilkes-Barre | United States | Wachovia Arena | N/a | 13,500 / 13,500 | N/a |
| 28 October | The Answer | $920,000 | ||||
| 30 October | Rosemont | Allstate Arena | 27,770 / 27,770 | $2,485,415 | ||
| 1 November | ||||||
| 3 November | Indianapolis | Conseco Fieldhouse | 14,458 / 14,458 | $1,314,215 | ||
| 5 November | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 15,189 / 15,189 | $1,276,091 | ||
| 7 November | Toronto | Canada | Rogers Centre | 45,000 / 45,000 | $4,477,500 | |
| 9 November | Boston | United States | TD Banknorth Garden | 13,718 / 13,718 | $1,255,040 | |
| 12 November | New York City | Madison Square Garden | 28,136 / 28,136 | $2,465,450 | ||
| 13 November | ||||||
| 15 November | Washington, D.C. | Verizon Center | 14,931 / 14,931 | $1,381,117 | ||
| 17 November | Philadelphia | Wachovia Center | 15,402 / 15,402 | $1,424,685 | ||
| 19 November | East Rutherford | Izod Center | 20,000 / 20,000 | $1,790,000 | ||
| 21 November | Columbus | Value City Arena | 13,704 / 18,325 | $1,226,508 | ||
| 23 November | St. Paul | Xcel Energy Center | 15,419 / 15,419 | $1,380,001 | ||
| 25 November | Denver | Pepsi Center | 12,000 / 12,000 | $1,074,000 | ||
| 28 November | Vancouver | Canada | General Motors Place | 14,000 / 14,000 | $1,393,000 | |
| 30 November | Tacoma | United States | Tacoma Dome | 21,460 / 21,460 | $1,920,670 | |
| 2 December | Oakland | Oracle Arena | 28,502 / 28,502 | $2,565,180 | ||
| 4 December | ||||||
| 6 December | Inglewood | The Forum | 28,594 / 28,594 | $2,673,539 | ||
| 8 December | ||||||
| 10 December | Phoenix | US Airways Center | 14,004 / 14,712 | $1,352,852 | ||
| 12 December | San Antonio | AT&T Center | 14,491 / 14,491 | $1,235,229 | ||
| 14 December | Houston | Toyota Center | 13,317 / 13,317 | $1,178,626 | ||
| 16 December | Atlanta | Philips Arena | 16,090 / 16,090 | $1,268,752 | ||
| 18 December | Charlotte | Time Warner Cable Arena | 15,125 / 15,125 | $1,360,148 | ||
| 20 December | Sunrise | BankAtlantic Center | 14,388 / 14,388 | $1,276,696 | ||
| 21 December | Tampa | St. Pete Times Forum | 15,218 / 15,218 | $1,347,033 |
| Date (2009) | City | Country | Venue | Opening act | Attendance | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 January | Cleveland | United States | Quicken Loans Arena | The Answer | 20,500 / 20,500 | $1,875,750 |
| 7 January | Pittsburgh | Mellon Arena | 12,937 / 13,118 | $1,145,063 | ||
| 9 January | Toronto | Canada | Rogers Centre | 45,350 / 45,350 | $3,414,693 | |
| 11 January | Cincinnati | United States | U.S. Bank Arena | 11,864 / 12,004 | $1,053,863 | |
| 13 January | St. Louis | Scottrade Center | 14,394 / 14,394 | $1,276,091 | ||
| 15 January | Omaha | Qwest Center | 14,591 / 14,591 | $1,305,895 | ||
| 17 January | Fargo | Fargodome | 21,692 / 21,692 | $1,870,334 | ||
| 19 January | St. Paul | Xcel Energy Center | 15,499 / 15,499 | $1,387,161 | ||
| 21 January | Kansas City | Sprint Center | 15,000 / 15,000 | $1,387,500 | ||
| 23 January | Dallas | American Airlines Center | 14,521 / 14,521 | $1,253,179 | ||
| 26 January | Tulsa | BOK Center | 17,000 / 17,000 | $1,555,500 | ||
| 28 January | North Little Rock | Alltel Arena | 11,858 / 11,858 | $953,327 | ||
| 30 January | Memphis | FedExForum | 13,673 / 13,673 | $1,155,086 | ||
| 31 January | Nashville | Sommet Center | 14,476 / 14,476 | $1,263,441 | ||
| 18 February | Oslo | Norway | Telenor Arena | 22,100 / 22,100 | $1,387,217 | |
| 20 February | Stockholm | Sweden | Ericsson Globe | 27,000 / 27,000 | $1,844,100 | |
| 22 February | ||||||
| 25 February | Paris | France | Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy | 33,000 / 33,000 | $2,758,140 | |
| 27 February | ||||||
| 1 March | Antwerp | Belgium | Sportpaleis | 16,279 / 16,279 | $1,157,604 | |
| 5 March | Leipzig | Germany | Messehalle | 16,700 / 16,700 | $1,390,108 | |
| 7 March | Düsseldorf | ISS Dome | 12,488 / 12,488 | $1,039,501 | ||
| 9 March | Oberhausen | König Pilsener Arena | 11,545 / 11,545 | $961,005 | ||
| 11 March | Bremen | AWD-Dome | 11,764 / 11,764 | $979,235 | ||
| 13 March | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Sportpaleis van Ahoy | 9,700 / 9,700 | $666,293 | |
| 15 March | Dortmund | Germany | Westfalenhalle | 12,254 / 12,254 | $1,020,022 | |
| 17 March | Prague | Czech Republic | O2 Arena | 14,000 / 14,000 | $1,045,520 | |
| 19 March | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum | 23,000 / 23,000 | $1,817,000 | |
| 21 March | ||||||
| 23 March | Budapest | Hungary | Budapest Sportaréna | 14,400 / 14,400 | $999,282 | |
| 25 March | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle Frankfurt | 13,079 / 13,079 | $1,088,695 | |
| 27 March | Munich | Olympiahalle | 11,136 / 11,136 | $926,960 | ||
| 31 March | Barcelona | Spain | Palau Sant Jordi | 17,880 / 17,880 | $1,330,203 | |
| 2 April | Madrid | Palacio de los Deportes | 15,911 / 15,911 | $1,189,202 | ||
| 4 April | Bilbao | Bizkaia Arena | 16,320 / 16,320 | $1,206,635 | ||
| 6 April[c] | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | Redwood | 12,500 / 12,500 | $858,625 |
| 14 April | London | England | The O2 Arena | The Answer | 36,383 / 37,310 | $2,155,362 |
| 16 April | ||||||
| 18 April | Dublin | Ireland | The O2 | 12,060 / 12,060 | $979,364 | |
| 21 April | Manchester | England | Manchester Evening News Arena | 15,000 / 15,000 | $812,250 | |
| 23 April | Birmingham | LG Arena | 11,800 / 11,800 | $638,970 | ||
| 13 May | Leipzig | Germany | Zentralstadion | 51,000 / 51,000 | $4,758,810 | |
| 15 May | Munich | Olympiastadion | 70,000 / 70,000 | $6,531,700 | ||
| 17 May | Gelsenkirchen | Veltins-Arena | 58,000 / 58,000 | $5,411,980 | ||
| 19 May | Cologne | Müngersdorfer Stadion | 45,724 / 45,724 | $4,266,506 | ||
| 22 May | Hockenheim | Hockenheimring | 90,000 / 90,000 | $8,397,900 | ||
| 24 May | Vienna | Austria | Ernst-Happel-Stadion | 60,000 / 60,000 | $5,488,800 | |
| 26 May | Belgrade | Serbia | Partizan Stadium | The Answer Amajlija | 32,716 / 45,000 | $2,363,549 |
| 28 May | Athens | Greece | Olympiakó Stádio | The Answer | 45,000 / 73,997 | $5,100,750 |
| 3 June | Lisbon | Portugal | Estádio José Alvalade | Mundo Cão The Vicious Five | 51,500 / 51,500 | $3,537,535 |
| 5 June | Madrid | Spain | Vicente Calderón Stadium | The Answer | 55,000 / 55,000 | $4,093,100 |
| 7 June | Barcelona | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys | 64,196 / 64,376 | $5,906,138 | ||
| 9 June | Marseille | France | Stade Vélodrome | The Answer Cafe Bertrand | 57,000 / 57,000 | $5,123,160 |
| 12 June | Saint-Denis | Stade de France | 78,000 / 78,000 | $6,123,000 | ||
| 15 June | Oslo | Norway | Valle Hovin | The Answer Skambankt | 40,000 / 40,000 | $4,136,860 |
| 17 June | Helsinki | Finland | Helsinki Olympic Stadium | The Answer Blake | 44,522 / 44,522 | $4,640,928 |
| 19 June | Copenhagen | Denmark | Parken Stadium | The Answer The Floor Is Made of Lava | 48,869 / 48,869 | $5,363,954 |
| 21 June | Gothenburg | Sweden | Ullevi Stadion | The Answer Bullet | 56,568 / 56,568 | $4,518,232 |
| 23 June | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Amsterdam Arena | The Answer Drive Like Maria | 50,541 / 50,541 | $4,361,233 |
| 26 June | London | England | Wembley Stadium | The Answer The Subways | 70,000 / 70,000 | $5,209,400 |
| 28 June | Naas | Ireland | Punchestown Racecourse | The Answer The Blizzards | 69,354 / 69,354 | $6,826,792 |
| 30 June | Glasgow | Scotland | Hampden Park | The Answer The Subways | 52,000 / 52,000 | $3,571,880 |
| 28 July | Foxborough | United States | Gillette Stadium | The Answer Anvil | 46,500 / 46,500 | $3,162,000 |
| 31 July | East Rutherford | Giants Stadium | 46,673 / 53,567 | $3,266,661 | ||
| 2 August | Albany | Times Union Center | The Answer | — | — | |
| 6 August | Moncton | Canada | Magnetic Hill Concert Site | Anvil The Answer | 70,000 / 90,000 | $12,044,900 |
| 8 August | Montreal | Stade Olympique | The Answer | 53,049 / 53,049 | $4,234,534 | |
| 10 August | Ottawa | Scotiabank Place | 14,071 / 14,071 | $1,290,639 | ||
| 14 August | Chicago | United States | United Center | 12,995 / 14,381 | $1,163,053 | |
| 16 August | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 11,920 / 15,100 | $938,248 | ||
| 18 August | Grand Rapids | Van Andel Arena | 10,124 / 10,788 | $895,896 | ||
| 22 August | Winnipeg | Canada | Canad Inns Stadium | 41,536 / 41,536 | $3,665,372 | |
| 24 August | Regina | Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field | 41,271 / 41,271 | $3,531,449 | ||
| 26 August | Edmonton | Commonwealth Stadium | 55,838 / 55,838 | $4,764,061 | ||
| 29 August | Vancouver | BC Place Stadium | 47,021 / 47,021 | $4,122,831 | ||
| 31 August[d] | Tacoma | United States | Tacoma Dome | 19,906 / 19,906 | $1,781,587 | |
| 2 September | San Jose | HP Pavilion at San Jose | — | — | ||
| 4 September | Fresno | Save Mart Center at Fresno State | — | — | ||
| 6 September | San Diego | San Diego Sports Arena | 11,033 / 11,258 | $965,379 | ||
| 8 September | Anaheim | Honda Center | 12,123 / 12,892 | $1,080,749 | ||
| 16 October | Washington, D.C. | Verizon Center | 11,258 / 14,048 | $1,010,930 | ||
| 18 October | Buffalo | HSBC Arena | — | — | ||
| 21 October | Philadelphia | Wachovia Center | 8,546 / 15,134 | $744,907 | ||
| 23 October | Atlanta | Philips Arena | 10,416 / 12,469 | $832,481 | ||
| 25 October | Greensboro | Greensboro Coliseum | 13,681 / 14,934 | $923,101 | ||
| 28 October | New Orleans | New Orleans Arena | 8,613 / 17,000 | $770,864 | ||
| 30 October | Jacksonville | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena | 9,778 / 10,550 | $792,307 | ||
| 2 November | Dallas | American Airlines Center | 9,241 / 13,214 | $742,313 | ||
| 4 November | Oklahoma City | Ford Center | 8,027 / 11,775 | $686,376 | ||
| 6 November | Austin | Frank Erwin Center | 11,500 / 11,500 | $1,029,250 | ||
| 8 November | Houston | Toyota Center | 11,115 / 12,895 | $653,958 | ||
| 12 November | Mexico City | Mexico | Foro Sol | Mustang | 50,853 / 53,536 | $2,766,306 |
| 15 November | El Paso | United States | Don Haskins Center | Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights | — | — |
| 19 November | Orlando | Amway Arena | Megaphone | 17,740 / 17,740 | $1,605,470 | |
| 21 November | San Juan | Puerto Rico | José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum | Mil Muertos | 18,500 / 18,500 | $1,655,750 |
| 27 November | São Paulo | Brazil | Estádio do Morumbi | Nasi | 69,354 / 69,354 | $6,928,7000 |
| 2 December[e] | Buenos Aires | Argentina | River Plate Stadium | Héroes Del Asfalto Las Pelotas | 170,630 / 191,649 | $9,202,394 |
| 4 December[f] | ||||||
| 6 December[e] |
| Date (2010) | City | Country | Venue | Opening act | Attendance | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 January | Wellington | New Zealand | Westpac Stadium | The Checks Shihad | 60,400 / 60,400 | $6,253,709 |
| 30 January | ||||||
| 4 February | Auckland | Western Springs Stadium | 49,963 / 49,963 | $5,484,920 | ||
| 11 February | Melbourne | Australia | Etihad Stadium | Calling All Cars Wolfmother | 184,469 / 184,469 | $23,356,091 |
| 13 February | ||||||
| 15 February | ||||||
| 18 February | Sydney | ANZ Stadium | 213,045 / 213,045 | $25,665,711 | ||
| 20 February | ||||||
| 22 February | ||||||
| 25 February | Brisbane | Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre | 90,039 / 90,039 | $10,374,709 | ||
| 27 February | ||||||
| 2 March | Adelaide | Adelaide Oval | 41,569 / 41,569 | $5,396,590 | ||
| 6 March | Perth | Subiaco Oval | 97,907 / 97,907 | $12,363,928 | ||
| 8 March | ||||||
| 12 March | Saitama | Japan | Saitama Super Arena | N/a | 32,000 / 32,000 | $3,332,800 |
| 14 March | ||||||
| 16 March | Osaka | Osaka Dome | 36,000 / 36,000 | $3,749,400 | ||
| 9 April[g] | Las Vegas | United States | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Rival Sons | 13,500 / 13,500 | $1,268,730 |
| 11 April[h] | Kansas City | Sprint Center | Shaman's Harvest | 12,000 / 18,000 | $1,098,000 | |
| 13 April[i] | Louisville | Freedom Hall | Broken Spurs | 16,000 / 16,000 | $1,464,000 | |
| 15 April[j] | Milwaukee | Bradley Center | Black Frog | 20,000 / 20,000 | $2,088,000 | |
| 17 April[k] | Des Moines | Wells Fargo Arena | The Last Vegas | 15,000 / 15,000 | $1,357,500 | |
| 14 May | Sofia | Bulgaria | Vasil Levski Stadium | Konkourent | 60,000 / 60,000 | $7,015,800 |
| 16 May | Bucharest | Romania | Piața Constituției | Down Iris | 60,000 / 70,000 | $6,623,400 |
| 19 May | Udine | Italy | Stadio Friuli | Le Vibrazioni Maurizio Solieri | 46,487 / 46,487 | $3,832,634 |
| 22 May | Wels | Austria | Flugplatz | Boon Kaiser Franz Josef Volbeat | 82,000 / 82,000 | $7,689,140 |
| 25 May | Hanover | Germany | Messegelände | Accept Boon | 80,000 / 80,000 | $7,556,800 |
| 27 May | Warsaw | Poland | Bemowo Airport | Dżem | 63,303 / 70,000 | $4,120,923 |
| 30 May | Oslo | Norway | Valle Hovin | Audrey Horne | 40,000 / 40,000 | $4,403,739 |
| 1 June | Tampere | Finland | Ratina Stadion | Zero Nine | 32,475 / 32,475 | $3,137,809 |
| 3 June | Stockholm | Sweden | Olympiastadion | Hardcore Superstar | 31,790 / 31,790 | $2,859,735 |
| 5 June | Horsens | Denmark | CASA Arena Horsens | Black City | 30,000 / 30,000 | — |
| 8 June[l] | Bern | Switzerland | Stade de Suisse | Krokus | 42,000 / 45,000 | $5,902,680 |
| 10 June[m] | Leicestershire | England | Donington Park | N/a | 90,000 / 110,000 | $17,667,000 |
| 13 June[n] | Stuttgart | Germany | Cannstatter Wasen | 60,981 / 60,981 | — | |
| 15 June | Nice | France | Stade Charles-Ehrmann | 40,000 / 56,000 | — | |
| 18 June | Saint-Denis | Stade de France | 78,000 / 78,000 | $6,123,000 | ||
| 20 June | Dresden | Germany | Ostragehege | 70,000 / 70,000 | — | |
| 22 June | Berlin | Olympiastadion | 65,958 / 65,958 | — | ||
| 26 June | Seville | Spain | Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla | 50,435 / 60,000 | $4,143,863 | |
| 28 June | Bilbao | San Mamés Stadium | 41,759 / 42,387 | $3,345,137 | ||
| Total | $ | |||||
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 November 2008 | Seattle | United States | KeyArena | N/a |
| 3 March 2009 | Antwerp | Belgium | Sportpaleis | Brian Johnson falling ill |
| 10 July 2009 | Stuttgart | Germany | Cannstatter Wasen | Schedule changes |
| 4 September 2009 | Los Angeles | United States | Staples Center | N/a |
| 1 October 2009 | Phoenix | Talking Stick Resort Arena | Brian Johnson resting from a medical procedure | |
| December 2009 | Lima | Peru | National Stadium of Peru | Stadium unavailability |
| 2 December 2009 | Santiago | Chile | Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos | Logistics not meeting the band's production requirements |
| 30 May 2010 | Tallinn | Estonia | Song Festival Grounds | N/a |
