For decades, the music of AC/DC has been defined by its raw, blue-collar masculinity—a foundation of denim, sweat, and thunderous riffs. But this February, that foundation is getting a fabulous renovation. GAYC/DC, the self-proclaimed world’s first and only all-gay tribute to the Australian rock titans, is set to touch down for their inaugural tour of the continent, promising a show that is equal parts technical precision and flamboyant reinvention.
The tour, which hits six cities starting February 19 in Brisbane, marks a significant moment for the Los Angeles-based outfit. Founded by bassist Christopher Freeman—a legend in his own right as a member of queercore pioneers Pansy Division—and drummer Brian Welch, the band has carved out a unique niche in the tribute circuit. Rather than simply mimicking the source material, they recontextualize it, filtering the Young brothers’ iconic catalog through a lens of leather, glitter, and queer identity.
While the concept might sound like a gimmick on paper, GAYC/DC has earned a reputation for taking the music deadly seriously. The band’s approach creates a fascinating tension: the visuals may be campy, but the sonic delivery is faithful and ferocious.
The setlist features clever, tongue-in-cheek lyrical tweaks that transform classic anthems into queer celebrations. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” is reimagined as “Dirty Dudes (Done Dirt Cheap)“, while the driving rhythm of “Bad Boy Boogie” is repurposed as “Gay Boy Boogie“.
The video for the latter track famously paid homage to Twisted Sister‘s rebellion anthem “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, a creative choice that caught the eye of Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider. The rock icon gave the project his stamp of approval with a succinct endorsement:
“I think this is great!”
The band’s credibility extends far beyond viral video moments. Their recording of “Highway to Hell” served as a testament to their standing in the hard rock community, featuring guest contributions from heavyweights like Johnny Martin of L.A. Guns, dUg Pinnick of King’s X, and former Anthrax vocalist John Bush (Armored Saint).
For the upcoming Australian run, Freeman and Welch will be joined by a formidable lineup including bassist Glen Pavan, guitarist Topher Ruby, and lead guitarist Steve McKnight, a musician well-known to melodic hard rock fans for his tenure in Cry Wolf.
GAYC/DC 2026 Australian Tour Dates:
- Thursday, February 19 – Brisbane @ The Brightside
- Friday, February 20 – Gold Coast @ Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
- Saturday, February 21 – Melbourne @ Stay Gold
- Wednesday, February 25 – Adelaide @ Lion Arts Factory
- Thursday, February 26 – Perth @ Milkbar
- Friday, February 27 – Sydney @ Mary’s Underground
