Music Notes: AC/DC Announces Return to the Road with 2025 North American Tour

The rumor is true: Legendary Australian hard rockers AC/DC will be hitting stadiums across the U.S. for their 2025 “Power Up” Tour, which kicks off on April 10 in Minneapolis and wraps up on May 28 in Cleveland. While the 13-city itinerary doesn’t currently include a stop at Petco Park, San Diegans can roll up to Pasadena’s Rose Bowl for their show on April 18.

This is the first time in nine years the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have toured North America. The last time they were here, lead vocalist Brian Johnson was forced to drop out of 2016’s “Rock or Bust” Tour to avoid total hearing loss. Axl Rose stepped in as “guest vocalist” to finish out the shows for the singer.

Johnson, who took over for the late Bon Scott in 1980 and made his debut on the landmark Back in Black album, returns to the stage for the North American “Power Up” Tour, which shares its name with the band’s 2020 album. He’ll be joined by only one original AC/DC member: iconic guitarist Angus Young. 

The remainder of the band’s current lineup includes rhythm guitarist Stevie Young (nephew of founding member Malcolm Young, who died in 2017), former Slash’s Snakepit drummer Matt Laug (who replaced Phil Rudd after he pled guilty to threatening murder in 2015), and former Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney (longstanding bass player Cliff Williams retired in 2016). 

Get your tickets to the LA show here.

Primed for a New Drummer

Eccentric Bay Area-based rock group Primus needs a new drummer. Tim “Herb” Alexander unexpectedly quit in October after 25 years with the power trio because, as he explained to his bandmates, he “lost his passion for playing.” According to Primus’ Instagram page, this news “came as a complete shock.” 

So what did they do?

Frontman/bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry LaLonde decided to hold open auditions, so anyone can apply. In their on-brand ad in search of a new drummer/percussionist, also appearing on Instagram, the band wrote, “Flashy chops are wonderful, but groove, pocket, and the ability to listen, react, and contribute to the musical conversation is a must.”

Those who consider themselves “a well-mannered, affable individual with original sensibility and aesthetic” can submit their resume and a recent video performance to drumsearch@primusville.com.

The band — which formed in 1984 and received a “Best Hard Rock Performance” GRAMMY nomination for their 1996 album Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver — aims to have the permanent new drummer in place by April 2025, just in time for their Sessanta tour dates.

Louis XIV Reunite & Return to the Casbah for Two Nights

San Diego’s beloved alt-rock band Louis XIV, which released three studio albums and four EPs from 2003 to 2008, has reunited and will perform two nights, Jan. 10-11, at The Casbah; the very venue where the group played their first show 20 years ago. 

The band first locked in the eleventh but tickets sold so fast they added the preceding night. Up-and-coming act Mystic Knights, featuring Chris Cester of Jet, will open both nights, and hip-hop artist Tre Aces joins the second night.

Louis XIV’s three co-founders — Brian Karscig and Jason Hill (both on vocals, guitar and piano) and Mark Maigaard (drums) — remain in place; Jake Pinto recently joined the band as bassist for shows and tours. “Jake fits in perfectly,” Karscig shared. “It feels like he’s been part of the band for a while with how great he fits in with us and the music.”

For the Casbah gigs, the foursome will commemorate the 20th anniversary of their sophomore release, The Best Little Secrets Are Kept, which yielded the catchy single “Finding Out True Love Is Blind.”

“We’ve always talked about doing reunions and have done a couple of one-off shows over the years,” Karscig said, “but 20 years since the release of ‘The Best Little Secrets Are Kept’ felt like the right time to do some shows for everyone in the band.”

As for what attendees can expect to hear both nights, Karscig preferred to keep the details a surprise, but did share that the band plans to play much (if not all) of Secrets, as well as other songs from their catalog. He also teased that fans may hear some new, unreleased material.

Kicking off 2025 with a two-night stint at The Casbah sounds like just the beginning for the revived Louis XIV. “We’ve actually recorded new music over the past couple years,” Karscig revealed, “and releasing material we’ve worked on is definitely being discussed.” 

Donovan Roche, a San Diego-based writer and editor, has covered the music, entertainment and arts scene for more than 30 years. To be considered for an upcoming edition of Music Notes, send your story idea to droche617@gmail.com.