AC/DC played their first official gig at Chequers nightclub in Sydney on 31 December 1973. The New Year’s Eve performance marked the public debut of the newly formed Australian rock band under the name AC/DC.
The original lineup featured Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, Angus Young on lead guitar, Dave Evans on vocals, Larry Van Kriedt on bass and Colin Burgess on drums. Before the band developed its famous international sound, its early sets mixed original material with covers associated with Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.
Chequers is sometimes confused with other Sydney venues connected with the group’s early history, including later club and pub appearances. Some fan records also distinguish between an earliest rehearsal or informal performance and the first official AC/DC booking. The standard historical account—and the answer used by the band’s official site—is Chequers on New Year’s Eve 1973.