When you think of dream gigs in rock ‘n’ roll, stepping up to the mic as the lead vocalist of AC/DC has got to be near the top of the list. But for Nic Cester, frontman of Australian rockers Jet, that dream nearly became reality—only it came wrapped in serious pressure and a whirlwind of expectations.
Back in 2016, as AC/DC faced the sudden departure of legendary singer Brian Johnson due to hearing issues, the band began exploring options to fill the massive void left behind. While the world saw Axl Rose step in for the Rock or Bust tour, what most didn’t know at the time was that Nic Cester was among the few vocalists who got the call to audition.
Speaking to Tone Deaf, Cester recounted how surreal the whole experience was. He was personally approached by Angus Young himself. “It was like a dream,” he admitted, but also one of the most nerve-racking situations of his career. With barely any prep, Nic found himself in a room with rock royalty, guitar in hand, and Angus launching into track after track.
“He just kept throwing songs at me one after another,” said Cester. “No breaks, no discussion—just straight-up go, go, go! I could barely catch my breath.”
Despite the pressure cooker atmosphere, Cester gave it everything he had. And while we now know Axl Rose ultimately took the spot, Nic looks back on the opportunity with gratitude and awe. “It was an incredible honor just to be considered,” he reflected.
Jet, best known for their early-2000s hits like Are You Gonna Be My Girl, were riding high during that era, and Nic’s vocal style has often been praised for its gritty, classic-rock edge—a tone not too far off from what AC/DC fans love.
It’s not every day you get a phone call that could change your career overnight, and Nic Cester’s near-shot at joining one of rock’s most iconic lineups remains a story worth telling. Even if he didn’t get the gig, he certainly earned a place among those rare few who could even be considered for such a role.
