AC/DC in Denver: a comeback headed straight for the stadium
AC/DC is coming to Empower Field at Mile High in Denver as part of the PWR UP tour, with the program beginning at 7:00 PM. The stadium lineup consists of Angus Young on lead guitar, Brian Johnson on vocals, Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, Matt Laug on drums and Chris Chaney on bass.
The band is returning to Denver for the first time since its performance in February 2016, giving the concert the significance of a comeback after ten years. The Denver date falls between performances in San Antonio and Las Vegas, in the middle of an active summer run across the United States and Canada.
Tickets for this event are in demand. It is worth securing them in time, especially if a particular section, view of the stage or access to the field is important.
Why AC/DC still sounds recognizable within seconds
AC/DC's musical identity is based on short guitar riffs, a firm rhythm and choruses designed for thousands of voices. "Back in Black", "Highway to Hell", "Thunderstruck", "Hells Bells", "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" moved beyond the boundaries of the hard rock audience long ago.
At the center of the performance is Angus Young, whose schoolboy outfit, Gibson SG, duckwalk and extended guitar passages are an integral part of the show. Brian Johnson brings the raspy vocals of the period from the album "Back in Black" onward, Stevie Young maintains the rhythmic structure, while Laug and Chaney build a powerful stadium pulse.
The audience consists of longtime fans, younger listeners who know the band from films and sports arenas, and lovers of classic hard rock. AC/DC does not change its own language to follow trends, and it is precisely this consistency that allows a few opening chords to set the entire stadium in motion.
What previous tour performances indicate about the repertoire
The exact setlist for Denver has not been announced in advance and should not be considered guaranteed. Nevertheless, previous performances on the PWR UP tour provide a fairly clear framework. Songs appearing at concerts during 2026 included "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)", "Back in Black", "Thunderstruck", "Hells Bells", "Highway to Hell", "Shoot to Thrill", "Sin City", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "High Voltage", "Riff Raff" and "You Shook Me All Night Long".
More recent material included "Demon Fire" and "Shot in the Dark". The emphasis is on songs with a clear introduction, a huge chorus and room for Angus's guitar.
Recent performances in Charlotte, Madison and Mexico City lasted a little more than two hours. This does not confirm the duration of the Denver concert, but it helps when planning the journey back and public transportation. Because a supporting act is also performing, the event's starting time is not the same as the time AC/DC takes the stage.
Reviews of previous stadium performances highlight Angus's extended solos, the band's discipline and the strong audience response. The expectation should be a loud, direct rock performance in which the production supports the songs rather than concealing them.
PWR UP as the current framework of the career
The tour takes its name from the 2020 album "Power Up", AC/DC's seventeenth studio album. Brendan O'Brien, who collaborated on the albums "Black Ice" and "Rock or Bust", produced 12 new songs, including "Realize", "Shot in the Dark", "Through the Mists of Time", "Demon Fire" and "Witch's Spell".
The album retains short riffs, firm choruses and guitar-focused production, allowing the new material to fit naturally alongside the older songs. "Power Up" reached number one in 21 countries, but the concert focus remains broader than a single release: PWR UP is the name of the current phase, while the performance spans the band's career, which began in Sydney in 1973.
The Pretty Reckless opens the evening
The Pretty Reckless, a New York rock band fronted by Taylor Momsen, has been confirmed as the supporting act. Their sound combines hard rock, post-grunge and a darker blues-rock texture, while the songs "Heaven Knows", "Going to Hell" and "Death by Rock and Roll" have earned them an audience beyond their role as a supporting act.
The concert takes place one month after the release of their fifth album, "Dear God", issued on June 26, 2026. It includes "For I Am Death", "When I Wake Up" and the title track, so the audience can expect a band in its current phase, not merely a review of old hits.
The stage time of each performer has not been announced. The program begins at 7:00 PM, so it is best to be at the venue before that time to avoid missing part of The Pretty Reckless's performance because of crowds.
Empower Field at Mile High changes the way the concert is experienced
Empower Field at Mile High is located at 1701 Bryant Street, near downtown Denver. It opened in 2001 and has 76,125 seats on five levels in its standard sports configuration. The concert configuration differs because of the stage and field sections, so that number is not the same as the number of tickets for AC/DC.
The steep stands and horseshoe shape provide a broad view of the field, but the distance from the stage depends significantly on the section. The lower levels create a greater sense of proximity, while the upper levels provide an overview of the entire production. In an open stadium, the sound can vary according to elevation, distance and position in relation to the speakers.
The stadium stands at an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level. Visitors from lower-lying areas may notice drier air and faster fatigue, especially after long periods of walking or standing, so it is useful to drink enough water and allow time for arrival.
Seats disappear quickly when it comes to sections with a direct view of the stage and areas closer to the field. When choosing a ticket, it is more useful to compare the section's position with personal priorities than to automatically select the lowest level.
Key facts about the stadium and entry
- Parking lots open at 3:00 PM.
- Gates open at 5:30 PM.
- The program begins at 7:00 PM.
- The stadium warns of increased traffic and recommends arriving before the gates open.
- Standard rules concerning clear bags and prohibited items apply to this event.
- After leaving the stadium, re-entry with an already scanned ticket is not permitted.
- The stadium operates without cash.
How to arrive without unnecessary waiting in traffic
Public transportation is a practical alternative to driving. The E and W light rail lines stop at Empower Field at Mile High station, about an eight-minute walk from the stadium. Decatur-Federal station on the W line is equally far away. Passengers arriving on the A line from the direction of the airport can transfer to the E or W line at Union Station.
Drivers should expect limited parking and increased traffic. Arriving earlier leaves time for the security check, orientation around the complex and finding the appropriate entrance.
Drop-off and pick-up locations for vehicles ordered through apps are not the same. Drop-off is planned near Gate 5 on the northeastern side of the stadium, while the pick-up zone is at the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot, approximately a 15-minute walk east of the stadium. After the concert ends, a slower departure of tens of thousands of people and heavy pressure on transportation should be expected.
For travelers, the area around Union Station and downtown is a practical base, from which the journey toward the stadium can continue by public transportation. Because this is an evening outdoor event, the weather forecast and traffic changes should be checked before departure.
Bag and item rules that may slow down entry
A small bag up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches or a clear bag up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches is permitted. Larger backpacks, camera bags and large opaque bags will not pass inspection. Lockers are available outside Gate 8 for a fee, but using them may slow down entry.
An empty clear plastic water bottle of up to one liter, a portable charger and a camera with a lens of up to six inches may be brought inside. Dedicated video cameras and laptop computers are not permitted. Outside alcohol, large umbrellas, laser pointers, artificial noise-making devices, glass and metal bottles, and objects that could be used as projectiles are prohibited.
For an AC/DC concert, earplugs may be a sensible choice, especially for children, sensitive visitors and audience members near the sound systems. They do not diminish the experience of the guitars and drums, but reduce fatigue during the program lasting several hours.
Who will find this concert particularly appealing
The concert will appeal most strongly to fans of the albums "Highway to Hell", "Back in Black", "For Those About to Rock We Salute You" and "The Razors Edge", as well as visitors who know the band only through its greatest hits. The repertoire relies on recognizable points from the catalog, while The Pretty Reckless connects the evening with contemporary hard rock.
Families with younger visitors should consider the volume, duration, crowds and distance to transportation. People who have difficulty with prolonged standing or steep stairs may benefit from choosing their section carefully. The stadium has accessible seating on every level, as well as sensory bags and dedicated sensory rooms.
Ticket sales for this event are underway. Before arriving, the opening time, traffic notices, entry rules and mobile ticket display should be checked once again, because the stadium may update operational details immediately before the event.
A relaxed plan for the evening
The most practical option is to arrive in the wider stadium area before 5:30 PM. This leaves enough time to walk from the station or parking lot, pass through security and find the seat before the 7:00 PM start. Payment inside the stadium is cashless, and because re-entry is prohibited, everything needed should be brought before the ticket is scanned for the first time.
After the concert, arrange a meeting point with the group in advance. Mobile networks may be overloaded, and the vehicle pick-up zone is not immediately beside the main exit. The evening should not be planned only around AC/DC taking the stage: the supporting act brings a new album, the stadium requires time for entry, and the band's return after ten years deserves an arrival without the final minutes being spent in a traffic queue.
Sources:
- AC/DC - information about the Denver date, the PWR UP tour schedule, the band's current lineup, the group's history and the success of the album "Power Up".
- AC/DC Music - release year, track listing and context of the album "Power Up".
- Empower Field at Mile High - program starting time, gate and parking lot opening times, traffic warnings, address and visitor information.
- Empower Field at Mile High A-Z Fan Guide - public transportation, station distances, re-entry rule, cashless operation, accessibility and transportation locations.
- Empower Field at Mile High Clear Bag Policy - permitted bag dimensions, permitted and prohibited items, and lockers near Gate 8.
- Empower Field at Mile High About Us - opening year, standard capacity, number of levels and stadium shape.
- CBS Colorado and 9NEWS - information about AC/DC's return to Denver after its 2016 performance and confirmation of The Pretty Reckless as the supporting act.
- Fearless Records - release date and content of the album "Dear God" by The Pretty Reckless.
- Setlist.fm and Music Recall Magazine - repertoire patterns, approximate duration and impressions of previous tour performances during 2026.