AC/DC’s first Australian concert in a decade was so powerful that it triggered seismic activity, setting off local earthquake detection equipment. On Wednesday, November 12, the iconic rock band launched their long-awaited hometown tour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, delivering a performance that resonated not only with fans but also with the earth beneath them.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the Seismology Research Centre detected vibrations within the two to five hertz range at their Richmond office, located approximately three-and-a-half kilometers from the concert venue. Adam Pascale, the centre’s chief scientist, explained that these readings were not solely due to the music’s volume.
“The sound waves that people were experiencing nearby and feeling something through their bodies, that’s the equivalent to what our seismographs feel. We’re picking up the ground motion, we’re not picking up the sound from the air,” Pascale noted.
The Science Behind the Shaking
Pascale elaborated on the phenomenon, stating that the vibrations were a combination of the speakers’ output and the crowd’s enthusiastic participation. “You’ve got speakers on the ground pumping out vibrations, and that gets transmitted through the ground, but also the crowd jumping up and down is feeding energy into the ground,” he said.
He further explained that synchronized movements of the crowd can amplify these signals, making them more detectable. “If everyone’s sort of bouncing in unison, it tends to amplify the signal so we can pick it up a little bit better,” Pascale added. This effect is not uncommon in large gatherings, as seen during major events such as the grand final at the MCG.
Community Impact and Fan Reactions
The concert’s reach extended beyond the venue, with residents up to 10 kilometers away reporting they could hear the music. In nearby Hawthorn, locals also noted the audible performance, underscoring the concert’s magnitude.
AC/DC’s return to their homeland was marked by a setlist that thrilled fans, featuring classics like ‘Back In Black’, ‘Thunderstruck’, and ‘Shoot To Thrill’. The band also surprised the audience with the return of ‘Jailbreak’, performed live for the first time in 34 years.
Tour Dates and Future Performances
The Melbourne concert was just the beginning of AC/DC’s ‘PWR UP’ Australian tour, with several dates lined up across the country. The tour schedule includes:
- November 16: Melbourne – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- November 21: Sydney – Accord Stadium
- November 25: Sydney – Accord Stadium
- November 30: Adelaide – bp Adelaide Grand Final
- December 4: Perth – Optus Stadium
- December 8: Perth – Optus Stadium
- December 14: Brisbane – Suncorp Stadium
- December 18: Brisbane – Suncorp Stadium
Looking Ahead
AC/DC’s electrifying return to the stage not only delighted fans but also highlighted the band’s enduring impact on both music and popular culture. As they continue their tour, the anticipation for each performance grows, promising more unforgettable nights for audiences across Australia.
Meanwhile, the seismic activity recorded during their Melbourne concert serves as a testament to the band’s legendary status and the powerful connection they maintain with their fans. As the tour progresses, both concert-goers and local residents are likely to feel the ground shake once more, both literally and figuratively.
