The Pretty Reckless, originally slated to warm up the crowd alongside AC/DC, had to drop out of the September 8 St. Louis stop on the "Power Up" world tour at the last minute. Stepping in was Foo Fighters, a band already juggling their own packed arena tour schedule.
This fill-in gig wasn't part of the plan. The Pretty Reckless had been serving as AC/DC's opener throughout this tour, including the 2025 UK and European legs, until their sudden unavailability left room for Dave Grohl and company to step in. Foo Fighters played a ten-song set that night, running from "My Hero" and "The Pretender" to "Times Like These," and closing things out with "Everlong."
What really made the night memorable was Grohl's heartfelt moment right before the final song. "I'm so excited to have the honor of opening for AC/DC — this has never happened before, this is a huge fucking check mark off the bucket list," he told the crowd. "But more than that, I'm excited to get the hell off this stage so I can spend the next few hours watching AC/DC."
He then half-jokingly admitted he wasn't sure if Foo Fighters would ever open for AC/DC again, "but honestly, I think this would make a hell of a tour." No concrete promise was made, but it was enough to send the crowd into cheers. Grohl also made a point of thanking The Pretty Reckless for reaching out to make room for them. "Thank you to Taylor and The Pretty Reckless — we wouldn't be standing here right now without them. Somebody please send them a cheese gift basket."
The two bands had never actually toured together before this. Their only prior crossover was at the 2021 VAX LIVE benefit concert, when AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson joined Foo Fighters onstage for a rendition of "Back In Black" — a show held to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Foo Fighters' current North American tour, with Queens Of The Stone Age along for the ride, continues on to North Dakota, California, Kentucky, Nevada and beyond, before heading to Australia later in the year. AC/DC's "Power Up" tour, meanwhile, moves on to Texas, Indiana, New Jersey and other stops.
