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Riverside’s Fox Performing Arts Center thundered with nostalgia on October 25 as the Black Jacket Symphony delivered AC/DC’s Back in Black in its entirety, followed by a set of the band’s biggest hits. The performance wasn’t just a tribute show; it was a meticulous recreation of one of rock’s most iconic albums, played note for note and sound for sound.
Stephen Day
From the moment the opening chime of “Hells Bells” rang out, the energy in the room was electric. The crowd rose to their feet, fists pumping and heads nodding as the band tore through the album in order, just as it was released in 1980. “Shoot to Thrill” hit with the same swagger and muscle as the original recording, while “You Shook Me All Night Long” had the entire venue singing along word for word.
Stephen Day
The Black Jacket Symphony’s formula is deceptively simple. Founded in 2009 by J. Willoughby, the group assembles top-tier musicians to perform classic albums start to finish, treating rock records with the same reverence that orchestras give to symphonies. Every tour features a rotating cast of players chosen to match the style and spirit of the album. The result is something more than a cover band, more like a living museum of sound.
Stephen Day
At the Fox, that concept came fully alive. The venue’s elegant art deco setting became a cathedral of guitar riffs, with lighting that flashed and flared in sync with the music’s pulse. Between songs, the band offered little banter, letting the music speak for itself. The accuracy of the tone, from the sharp crack of the snare to the crunch of the rhythm guitar, showed how deeply they studied AC/DC’s distinct sonic texture.
Stephen Day
After the final crash of “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution,” the band returned for a second set packed with fan favorites from across AC/DC’s catalog. “Highway to Hell,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” and “T.N.T.” brought the crowd roaring back to life. It was the kind of encore that turned the Fox into a full-scale arena for one more night.
Stephen Day
What makes Black Jacket Symphony special isn’t just nostalgia. It’s the reminder that an album like Back in Black isn’t a collection of songs, it’s a story told in twelve tracks. Hearing it performed live from start to finish invites a kind of focus and appreciation that streaming culture rarely allows. It’s a shared moment between musicians and audience, recreating the magic of dropping the needle on a record and hearing it unfold as a complete work.
Stephen Day
For one night in Riverside, the Fox became a time machine powered by guitar riffs and pure rock precision. AC/DC might not have been on stage, but their spirit, and the spirit of rock itself, was loud and clear.
Stephen Day
