ACDC Family Jewels Exhibit review
“Oh my god I just went to the ACDC exhibit here. It’s amazing! U would LOVE it! I’m going back tomorrow!”
That’s the text I sent to my boyfriend as I left the Western Australia Museum’s ‘ACDC: Australia’s Family Jewels’ temporary exhibition. I have to say it is really something to get excited about.
As I jumped in the car to rush home and write my review telling everyone how cool it was, ‘Back in Black’ came on the radio. Perfect! 96fm was playing it as part of their “All Aussie” super set so I turned it up loud.
It was a beautiful sunny Perth day like any other when I stepped into the gift shop full of ACDC merchandise. That was when Naydene opened the door to the free exhibit and I entered into a cool dark paradise of rock memorabilia. I was expecting it to be wickedly good and it is.
ACDC is an Australian rock band formed in 1973 with Angus and Malcolm Young, Dave Evans, Larry Van Kriedt and Colin Burgess, but you already know that.
In 1974 the legendary Bon Scott took over from Dave Evans as lead singer. Scott spent part of his youth living in Freemantle where there is a statue dedicated to him by the waterfront making Perth a good place for the exhibit for those from Freo who have a special link to him.
The first poster tells how the exhibit is part of the Art Centre’s ‘Icon’ series looking at achievements of Australia’s finest performing artists. It introduces the band as having had an increasingly influential role in popular music culture, a simple mantra of “good, hard rock and roll” and music that people love.
From there it is a fabulous showcase of the band over 35 years of making sure the fans have a good time.
There is something for everyone: CD covers, photos, costumes, personal letters, screens with video footage. There is even an awesome soundtrack as you walk around; coming from the concert-style big screen down the back where you’ll see rows of fans rocking out.
Make sure you have enough time to see everything because there’s a lot to look at.
As you near the end of ACDC Lane, take a moment to add your love note to the huge message board of tribute and thanks:
LET THERE BE ROCK!
RIP BON your the most awesomest band ever keep on rocking -m-
THUNDERSTURCK! Grown up with ACDC. They still bring out the bogan in me. It would be unAustralian not to LOVE these guys!!
Damien Lucas of Newcastle and Hitomi Inukai of Japan said they are in Perth for three weeks and saw the advert for the exhibit in the Jetstar magazine on the plane.
“It’s wonderful,” said Damien, writing his message, “It’s cool to see all the Bon Scott stuff here, with his connection to Freo.”
The free display is on until the 7th of August.
It’s not just an exhibition it’s a whole ACDC experience. Go see it. Then bring your brother, your friends, your mum, your workmates and everyone else you know.