Chile’s Changing of the Guard Goes Full Rock with AC/DC Music

The changing of the guard at La Moneda Palace has always been a carefully choreographed ritual, one rooted in decades of Chilean tradition. Visitors usually expect the polished brass, the crisp uniforms, and the stately march that has marked the ceremony for nearly a century. What they didn’t expect was the unmistakable roar of AC/DC’s riffs cutting across Constitution Square on a Wednesday morning.

The Orfeón Nacional de Carabineros de Chile brought that surprise to life when it swapped its standard ceremonial repertoire for a setlist straight out of rock’s loudest history books. “Highway to Hell,” “Back in Black,” and “Thunderstruck” were played with electric guitars and full drum kits—the first time in the band’s 96-year history that it embraced a rock-style arrangement in an official performance. Crowds gathered in front of the palace were caught between disbelief and excitement as the familiar anthems echoed through the plaza.

The moment landed at a perfect time. With AC/DC’s “Power Up” world tour approaching its South American leg, anticipation among Chilean fans is already high. Seeing the country’s own national police band honor the group in such a bold way added a unique local spark to the countdown.

AC/DC Anthems in the Heart of Santiago

The Orfeón Nacional is known across Chile as a cultural ambassador, but this performance pushed its reputation into new territory. The ensemble has toured the country for generations, representing Chile in Latin America and Europe, yet the choice to go full rock at such a formal ceremony was a first. It showed how the institution has evolved with the times without losing its identity.

Bringing in a full set of electric instruments transformed the typically solemn event into a lively spectacle. Visitors who came expecting tradition instead watched a marching band lock into the unmistakable shuffle of “Back in Black” and the explosive energy of “Thunderstruck.” Even longtime observers of the ceremony admitted they had never seen anything like it.

The timing also carried symbolic weight. The band’s tribute coincided with AC/DC’s upcoming return to the country, where more than 100,000 tickets have already been sold for their 2026 shows at Parque Estadio Nacional. For fans, the performance felt like an unofficial welcome mat rolled out on behalf of the entire nation.

A Tour Still Rolling at Full Power

AC/DC’s current run of shows has revived a momentum that many thought ended years ago. The “Power Up” tour began in North America in 2025, hitting major stadiums from Minneapolis to Cleveland. After that, the band brought the same energy to Europe, performing across ten countries and making first-ever stops—including a debut in Estonia—and returning to Scotland for the first time in a decade.

By the time the group closed its European leg in Dublin in August 2024, it was clear that the tour had become one of AC/DC’s strongest comebacks. The dates were not just a nostalgic reunion; they marked a new lineup solidifying its place. Brian Johnson returned to the stage after stepping away in 2016 due to hearing issues, Angus Young carried the band’s founding spirit, and the newer members—Stevie Young, Matt Laug, and Chris Chaney—proved they could hold the weight of a legacy that spans generations.

South America’s shows in 2026 are shaping up to be some of the most anticipated stops. With Chile, Brazil, and Argentina all on the schedule, AC/DC will once again find itself performing before some of its loudest and most loyal crowds. Wednesday’s ceremony in Santiago only built on that excitement.

A Legacy That Still Thrives Worldwide

AC/DC’s global influence gives context to why their music resonated so easily during a formal state ceremony. With over 200 million albums sold, the band’s catalogue has crossed borders, languages, and generations. “Back in Black” alone stands as one of the best-selling albums of all time, and their unmistakable sound continues to pull massive crowds nearly five decades after their debut.

The band’s 2020 album “Power Up” served as both tribute to the late Malcolm Young and a statement that the group still had something to say. Recorded in Vancouver with producer Brendan O’Brien, the album brought AC/DC back to the top of charts worldwide. For many fans, it felt like a revived spark—the kind that only a band like AC/DC could carry into the modern era.

That legacy is exactly why the Orfeón Nacional’s performance felt so fitting. Even in one of the most traditional settings in Chile, AC/DC’s music blended seamlessly with the atmosphere. It showed how deeply rock culture has embedded itself in global society, and how a band born in Australia can inspire a ceremonial moment in Santiago nearly half a century later.