Because nothing says “Happy Holidays” like cannon fire, screaming solos, and Brian Johnson shouting “FIRE!” under a snow globe.
Move over Mariah. Sit down Slade. And somebody please put a sock in Bublé. This year, AC/DC fans are cooking up a plan so thunderous it might just shatter Santa’s sleigh bells.
Welcome to the most rock ‘n’ roll Christmas campaign the UK’s seen since Rage Against The Machine told Simon Cowell to shove it with “Killing In The Name.” Yep, it’s happening again – and this time, we’re going Back in Black instead of dreaming of a white Christmas. 🤘🎅
🎯 The Mission: Christmas No.1 or Bust
The online AC/DC army has risen with one goal: to send a classic AC/DC anthem screaming to the top of the UK charts for Christmas 2025. Armed with hashtags like:
- #ACDCForXmasNo1
- #HighwayToChristmas
- #RockNReign2025
…fans are gunning to make history by out-streaming the usual syrupy holiday tunes and shoving some proper riffs into the Queen’s Speech recap. 📺
What’s the track they’re backing?
🎶 “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” – an 80s cannon-blasting epic that’s as subtle as a snowball full of TNT.
Why that one? Simple. It’s loud, proud, and the chorus is basically a toast – perfect for Christmas dinner:
“We drink to your health, but raise the horns… we salute you!” 🥂💀
🤔 Why Now, Though?
Let’s be honest – the Christmas charts have been a bit… soggy, haven’t they?
Every December it’s the same suspects: Mariah defrosted, Bublé reheated, Ed Sheeran doing acoustic sadboy things in a Christmas jumper. It’s enough to make a grown rocker weep into their Jack Daniels. 🥃
But now, AC/DC are back in the cultural spotlight. Brian Johnson’s been popping up on stage again. Angus Young refuses to age. And let’s face it, “For Those About To Rock” is the kind of festive vibe we actually want in this post-everything world: noisy, nostalgic, and bloody powerful. ⚡
Plus, fans are still bitter the band has never landed a UK No.1 single. That’s criminal, mun. Even Mr. Blobby managed it once. MR. BLOBBY. 😩
🛒 How You Can Join The Rock ‘n’ Roll Rebellion
This isn’t just a passive stream-and-pray situation. The campaign is well organised – proper job! Here’s how you can help fire AC/DC to the top:
📲 Buy It
Yup, old school works best. Jump on iTunes or Amazon Music and buy the digital single during December 20–26. Multiple times if you like. Your nan doesn’t need that 99p, does she?
🎧 Stream It Like You’re Possessed
Whack it on repeat on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, you name it. Make it the soundtrack to your wrapping paper rage.
📻 Request It
Call your local rock station. Message BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music. Slide into Greg James’ DMs. Demand riffs.
🤳 Post Like a Lunatic
TikToks with cannon fire, memes of Angus in a Santa hat, screaming “WE SALUTE YOU” into the frozen night. It all helps. Tag everything with #ACDCForXmasNo1 and @theriffreportuk so we can cheer you on! 🥳
👀 Who Started It?
It’s believed the spark came from a group of longtime UK AC/DC fans, including members of online fan pages, tribute band forums, and even a few TikTok trend-starters who were “sick of the same old sh* every Christmas”*.
The campaign caught fire faster than you can say “High Voltage” and now even some radio DJs are pledging support. Word on the street is a rock-themed Christmas jumper run is also being planned, featuring slogans like:
- “All I want for Xmas is TNT”
- “Santa was Thunderstruck”
- “You Shook Me All Night Sleigh”
(Okay, we made that last one up… but now we want it.)
💥 What If It Works?
Picture this:
🎄 It’s Christmas Day.
📺 You turn on the telly.
📈 The charts are announced.
🎸 BOOM – cannon fire, Angus duck-walking through snow, and “FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK…” blaring from every speaker.
Nan drops her trifle.
The dog starts air guitaring.
Uncle Kev spills his Baileys in pure shock.
We salute you, indeed. 👑⚡
And if it doesn’t quite make it to No.1? Who cares? The rock community showed up, got loud, and made December feel electric again. And that’s what matters, innit?
🧨 Final Riff Thoughts
At The Riff Report, we’re fully behind this madness. Not just because we’d sell our souls to see AC/DC finally get their Christmas crown, but because this is what music is supposed to do: unite people, cause chaos, and turn the mundane into mayhem. 😈
We’ve had enough of musical mince pies – give us musical Molotovs.
So get downloading, get screaming, and if the neighbours complain?
Just shout back:
“IT’S FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK, LOVE!” 🤬🎸
🥁 Let’s Make Christmas Loud Again
Diolch to the legends behind this campaign. You’ve lit a fire under December’s arse – and we’re here for it.
Let’s crank it, cannon it, and raise those horns.
This Christmas… we salute you. 🎅🔥
👉 Are you joining the AC/DC chart charge?
📸 Tag us in your campaign antics @theriffreportuk
📧 Got ideas or a local rock shop blasting the tune 24/7? Tell us – we’ll feature the best ones in our next post!
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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