Whole lotta rock: City of Melbourne plans tribute to AC/DC

Melbourne is gearing up to celebrate one of Australia's most iconic rock bands, with the City of Melbourne backing a series of events to honour AC/DC’s enduring legacy and the 50^th anniversary of a defining moment in Aussie music history.

At the the Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting on July 1, councillors voted to begin planning celebrations to coincide with AC/DC’s upcoming show at the MCG on November 12 – part of the Australian leg of their international POWER UP tour.

It will be the band’s first performance in the country since 2015.

Councillors also threw support behind a proposal to mark the 50^th anniversary of the filming of It’s a Long Way to the Top on February 23 – the iconic 1976 music video that saw the band performing atop a flatbed truck as it rolled down Swanston St.

“This is all about celebrating Australia’s most successful rock band,” Lord Mayor Nick Reece said.

“If you’re ever having a bad day or feeling a bit flat, just put on Long Way to the Top and watch AC/DC rolling down Swanston St, right past where we are having this meeting. I promise your spirits will be lifted immeasurably.”

Councillors requested that council management begin engaging with the band’s representatives to help shape the celebrations.

They also called for collaboration with the Victorian Government, corporate sponsors, venue operators and Melbourne’s wider music industry to help deliver a city-wide tribute that maximises cultural and economic benefits.

Funding for the events will be drawn from the Councillor Discretionary Fund, with additional operational budgets to be confirmed.

A full report outlining event proposals and budget allocations will be presented to the committee by August 19.

The events aim to build on Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s major event capital and a global destination for arts, culture and entertainment.

Large-scale music events continue to drive significant economic benefits – such as Taylor Swift’s three sold-out shows at the MCG in 2024 reportedly bringing in $175 million in local spending.

With more than 200 million albums sold worldwide, AC/DC remains one of Australia’s most successful and beloved musical exports.

Their influence has spanned generations and continents, and Melbourne is ready to celebrate that legacy in style.

“This is going to be an incredible moment for our city – a moment for us to feel good, and to recognise our greatness as one of the rock ‘n’ roll capitals of the world,” Cr Reece said.

“It will be dynamite; it will be TNT – it will be a great moment for our city.”