Angus Young Brings High Voltage to Madison with AC/DC’s Power Up Tour

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AC/DC’s Power Up Tour drew a capacity crowd to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 19, 2026, marking the band’s first performance in the state since 2008, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The concert, which featured lead guitarist Angus Young, was part of the Australian rock group’s ongoing global tour promoting their 2020 album Power Up. The event, held on a Thursday evening, was the second stop on a North American leg that includes dates in Chicago and Detroit.

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The show began with an opening set from The Pretty Reckless, a New York-based rock band that has toured with AC/DC in the past. Fans reported long lines for entry, with security staff managing crowds from early afternoon. Camp Randall, a 75,000-seat stadium, was fully occupied by the time the headliners took the stage at 8:30 p.m. CDT. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s on-site reporter noted that the venue’s parking lots were nearly empty by 7 p.m., as attendees arrived via shuttle buses and public transit.

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Angus Young, 63, performed in his signature schoolboy uniform, a costume choice that has defined his stage presence since the 1970s. The band’s setlist included hits such as "Back in Black," "Thunderstruck," and "Highway to Hell," alongside tracks from Power Up like "Shot in the Dark." A spokesperson for AC/DC confirmed the tour’s focus on "reconnecting with longtime fans while introducing new audiences to the band’s legacy," according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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Local officials reported no major incidents during the event, with Madison Police Department officers stationed at all stadium entrances. The city’s transit authority operated additional bus routes to accommodate the influx of attendees, a measure that followed similar adjustments for the 2023 NFL Draft in the same venue. A representative for the Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau stated the concert contributed an estimated $2.1 million to the local economy, citing data from a 2022 study on large-scale events.

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The Power Up Tour has faced logistical challenges this year, including a June 2026 postponement in Glasgow due to illness among crew members. AC/DC’s 2026 schedule includes 34 dates across North America and Europe, with the Madison show marking the first of three Midwest stops. The band’s current lineup includes vocalist Brian Johnson, drummer Phil Rudd, and bassist Cliff Williams, with Young and guitarist Stevie Young forming the group’s original core.

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Tickets for the Madison concert, priced between $75 and $350, sold out within 12 hours of their June 2026 release. A secondary market analysis by TicketMaster showed scalped tickets reaching $1,200 on July 18, though the band’s official website did not comment on pricing practices. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s coverage highlighted the event’s significance as "a rare opportunity for Wisconsin fans to experience AC/DC’s iconic sound live," given the band’s infrequent visits to the region.

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The concert concluded at 11:15 p.m., with attendees exiting through 18 designated gates. Madison’s fire department conducted routine safety checks of the stadium’s electrical systems after the event, a standard procedure for large gatherings. A follow-up report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted that the venue’s staff received "over 500 positive feedback submissions" via a post-event survey, with 89% of respondents describing the experience as "excellent" or "very good."

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AC/DC’s next scheduled performance is July 23 in Chicago’s Soldier Field, with the tour concluding August 15 in Lisbon, Portugal. The band’s current tour has grossed over $200 million globally, according to Billboard’s 2026 mid-year report. For Madison residents, the event added to a summer of high-profile concerts, including a June 2026 set by Pearl Jam at the same stadium.

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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s coverage of the event included photographs by Kiesen Williams, the credited photographer for the original source material. The article was published on July 20, 2026, the day after the concert, with no immediate statements from AC/DC’s management beyond the band’s official tour announcement.

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The Power Up Tour’s Madison stop underscores AC/DC’s enduring popularity, with the band’s 1980 album Back in Black remaining one of the best-selling albums of all time. The group’s recent work, including Power Up, has been praised for blending their classic sound with modern production techniques. As the tour progresses, fans and critics alike will be watching how the band balances its legacy with new material in upcoming performances.