AC/DC, formed in 1973 by the Young brothers, had already started to make waves in the Australian rock scene with their unique blend of hard rock, blues-rock, and heavy metal. These early years saw the band influencing the burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal, inspiring groups like Iron Maiden and Saxon. Prior to the major milestone in their career, AC/DC underwent several lineup changes, all leading up to their groundbreaking debut album, “High Voltage,” released in 1975.

November 4, 1975, marked a pivotal moment for AC/DC as they headlined their first major concert at the Melbourne Festival Hall. This event showcased the classic lineup of Angus Young on lead guitar, Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, Bon Scott on vocals, Mark Evans on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums. The setlist for this momentous occasion primarily featured tracks from their first two albums, with hits like “Live Wire,” “She’s Got Balls,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer,” and “High Voltage” electrifying the audience.

AC/DC’s Melbourne Festival Hall show on November 4, 1975, was their first major headline concert, showcasing early hits from their debut albums.

This concert was a part of the “Cup Day Rock” event at Melbourne’s Festival Hall, indicating its importance within the larger music events of the area at that time. Contrary to some reports, AC/DC was supported by the band Hush, not Stevie Young or John Paul Young. The Melbourne Festival Hall, with a capacity for 5,400 people, highlighted the significant crowd drawn by AC/DC for their headline performance.

An additional highlight of this historic show was the filming of promo videos for “High Voltage” and “Show Business,” capturing AC/DC’s early career high points. These videos would become instrumental in promoting the band’s dynamic stage presence and raw energy to a global audience. This headline show at Melbourne Festival Hall wasn’t just a concert; it was a breakthrough, solidifying AC/DC’s status as a powerhouse in the rock and roll world.