Phil Rudd, the long-serving legendary drummer of AC/DC, is preparing for a significant return to the stage this summer. The 70-year-old musician is scheduled to perform as a key part of the Full Metal Orchestra concert at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, as reported by Stuff‘s Annemarie Quill. This high-profile appearance marks a notable live comeback for Rudd, who recorded AC/DC‘s 2020 album Power Up but has been absent from the band’s recent live performances.
The Full Metal Orchestra event promises a unique fusion of hard rock and classical power, featuring anthems from iconic bands performed alongside the 29-piece Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams and produced by Jol Mulholland, the show is billed by organizers Duco Touring and Liberty Stage as a “symphonic experience like no other,” where fans will “witness massive metal anthems from the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and AC/DC and more — amplified by soaring orchestral arrangements, searing guitars, powerhouse vocals, and epic visuals.”
Securing Rudd for the event was a major goal for the organizers. David Higgins, founder of Duco Touring, told New Zealand’s Stuff publication, “Phil Rudd was always in my mind as the dream ‘get’ as one of the world’s best known rock stars, living right here in New Zealand.”
Rudd himself expressed considerable excitement about the unique format. “It’s going to be massive, fueled, we’ll take off the roof…you wait. It’s going to be thumping, boom boom, bang,” he told Stuff. “It’s exciting, like nothing else I’ve ever done, putting the best raw banging rock songs with a classical orchestra.”
The drummer has confirmed several tracks he’ll be performing, including the AC/DC classic “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll),” Stevie Wright‘s 1975 hit “Black Eyed Bruiser,” and Billy Thorpe‘s “Rock ‘n’ Roll City.” He specifically commented on tackling the iconic AC/DC track, which the band hasn’t played live since Bon Scott‘s era: “It was Bon’s song,” Rudd explained. “Adding those bagpipes was Bon genius… now we’ll have the whole orchestra.” The broader event setlist will also feature orchestral renditions of tracks by bands like Tool, Motörhead, Led Zeppelin, and Guns N’ Roses.
While still officially a member of AC/DC, Rudd‘s recent live activity has been limited. He was notably absent from AC/DC‘s performance at the Power Trip festival in October 2023, where Matt Laug filled the drum seat, and subsequent live dates. This absence followed legal troubles in 2015, which included a conviction for threatening to k*ll and dr*g possession, resulting in an eight-month home confinement sentence that hindered his ability to tour internationally with the band. Despite missing recent gigs, Rudd told Stuff in 2023 regarding AC/DC: “I look forward to playing with them again in the future… Rock on.”
Aside from a European solo tour several years ago and a brief guest spot with a local New Zealand band in late 2023, the Full Metal Orchestra concert represents Rudd‘s most significant scheduled live performance in years.
Tickets for the July 26th event at Spark Arena go on sale at 10 am on Thursday, May 1st, 2025.
