Dirty DC: You want AC/DC? You Got It!

Dirty DC: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Hells Bells – Its Dirty DC!

The Dirty DC boys are back in town. Welcome back to Brighton Dirty DC! 2 Hours and All the AC/DC songs you want and LIVE!

Dirty DC – live at Concorde 2 – 27/09/2025

Never underestimate this lot, just because these guys are a tribute band. They do the job, and do it well! Welcome back to Brighton Dirty DC!

The stage on Concorde 2 looked big and full. The venue has recently undergone a make-over. New lighting rigs and a massive back screen. Amp cabinets and heads stamped Marshall could not fail to impress. Anyone who has ever attended a real AC/DC concert knows that if anything the stage is important. Dirty DC had filled the stage with the furniture for a set of rock and roll.

Dirty DC: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Now, if you’re going to replicate a musical rock outfit with a global fan base, then firstly you better know the material, and then you have to put on the actual performance. And you better make sure you do it well. Top tribute act Dirty DC? Well, I can confirm they did and carried it off perfectly with total style, authenticity and amps set to 11.

Dirty DC: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The lights dimmed with the Dirty DC logo and screen glowing red. The stage smoke started up, there was to be rather a lot of that tonight. Drums, guitar and bass players got into position as opening chords of Rock and Roll Train thundered into the venue.

Dirty DC: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Brian Johnson/Chris Hill:

Authentic? Oh yes! This guy hits it at full tilt. With the trademark flat cap, he was also running around the stage, screaming out those the songs. And his voice is on point. I think he sounded exactly as Brian does. Does he sing? I think more accurately the best way to describe it is that he really screams it out. An awesome vocal display.

Up to 11!

Hell Aint A Bad Place To Be and Shoot To Thrill were next. Back in Black, from the classic 1980 album of the same name, is delivered early in the set. That gut wrenching riff sends the Concorde 2 crowd wild. This had all the makings of a really good show even in at three songs, the sound quality was top notch and loud!. Dirty DC were playing really tight, and all generating all of the energy one could expect was there as well as the sheer joy of the crowd and musicians. And then monster that is Thunder Struck blasted out. The crowd reacted perfectly with the chants for thunder!

Angus Young/James Gould:

Argued as possibly as the spirit of AC/DC and a wikipedia definition of a rock n’ roll guitarist. Gould was going supernova tonight. He handles everything authentically from lengthy solo breaks to those riffs all the while cavorting over the Concorde 2 stage, running, jumping, and donning the trademark schoolboy uniform. He seemed unstoppable was really a breathtaking performance to watch.

Dirty DC: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Dirty DC:

The rest of the Dirty DC band were rock solid, but not really getting into the stage spotlights, or lost in the clouds of smoke. You could feel Sam power as he pounded the hell out of his kit at the back as the percussion pounded out. The other Dirty DC players — included top bass player Tim, whom I recall seeing with Dizzy Lizzy, and a super guitarist Danny, he is rock solid, laying down the supporting riffs and backing vocals. I love this outfit! If you want AC/DC then these guys will give it to you.

All three guys in the Dirty DC driving seat delivered a power driven, non-stop solid background for James’s/Angus and his guitar antics, and Chris’/Johnson’s athletic vocal tirade. The packed in crowd recognised the authenticity as nearly everyone sings along exultantly with every song, The Jack and Hells Bells!

Dirty DC: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

If you have never seen AC/DC live, these guys will take you close to it. The setlist tonight was filled with all the AC/DC classics and some of the maybe lesser well known tracks from the archives.  And so Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and High Voltage sparked up the heaving, hot and sweaty crowd.  It’s hit after hit and riff after riff. Dirty Deeds elicited a massive roar from the crowd, and so did You Shook Me All Night Long as the riff started. Chris leaned forward and whispered “Let me tell you a story about a woman I know…” Whole Lotta Rosie! Perfectly delivered.

Concorde 2 was packed pretty solid, I think this gig had actually sold out. In the crowd we saw crews of metal head veterans, we could see a group of younger gig goers proudly wearing AC/DC and Dirty DC T shirts. This scan across the crowd reassured me that AC/DC music breaks any age boundaries. It is still cool to like their simple, yet extremely catchy riffs, which make up for a powerage of a show. Dirty DC are top of their game, they look great and sound, well, like AC/DC!

We Salute You

Let There Be Rock was fired up supported by a massive salvo of Concorde 2’s finest creative lighting and lots of smoke. These two songs have been a staple part of an AC/DC gig for more years than I care to remember, what an encore! No cannons tonight, but two smoke machines blasted out streams of the stuff in time with the music.

You can feel the audience’s reactions the best during many of the songs but the opening of Highway To Hell “Angus” plays the true axe-man role here and you can just see his seemingly endless energy and during every song!

Dirty DC: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The set list was filled with all the big hitters and also with representations of the AC/DC heavy back catalogue. These guys really play a very straight and tight version of AC/DC rock and roll.

There were mass singalongs to Thunderstruck and Hells Bells and when announcing Whole Lotta Rosie, the crowd went nuts, sadly there was no giant inflatable doll erected on stage for us. Actually the lack of props and theatrics took nothing away from the Dirty DC boys performance. I saw AC/DC with Bon Scott back in the day on one of the Rock Goes To College shows, there were no props or massive video screens back then!

James Gould, now after a teasing striptease removing his jacket and shirt hammered out the opening riff for Let There Be Rock, the drums kicking as Chris then fired up the vocals. James nailed a super guitar solo slot, nearly 5 minutes of astonishing guitar.

Dirty DC finished up with the same two songs – Highway and For Those About To Rock, two bangers  that have been the AC/DC encores many times. But then we are served up It’s A long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock And Roll! A perfect ending to a blistering show.

Until next time guys! Dirty Dc have a full gig itinerary taking them up until Christmas, just go see them!

A VIDEO: THUNDERSTRUCK

Dirty DC are on the WWW – here!

And Finally…

Huge thanks to Dirty DC
Thanks to Black Rabbit Productions
Thanks to the team, was great to be back home at Concorde 2

Black Rabbit Productions hosted the evening. They work hard promoting live music on the south coast. They are a promotion company with years of experience putting on music shows. Tonight was superb. They have some great gigs lined up. You can find Black Rabbit Productions on the WWW 

Words and photos by Ian Bourn.

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