Shimmying his way out from behind a piano twice throughout an hour-and-a-half set, Bob Dylan’s presence on stage has changed. There were those attending his Bonus Arena tour that no doubt has an obsession with the man and his music. Where that line is blurred is unknown territory, but Dylan appears to be aware of that. Tucked away behind a piano for much of the gig, those that were there to see the icon are left instead with just the music. That is no slight, part of performance is artist and their art, but Dylan’s set makes the active choice to put the music into focus, not the artist.
Legacy tour this is not. A confident outing of Rough and Rowdy Ways makes up the core of Dylan’s work. An expectation to shut up and play the hits may have lingered, but like any artist hoping to display their latest work, Dylan perseveres with the latest tracks. Black Rider and Mother of Muses stand out as real highlights of the show, a stunning quality transferred from album to stage. Dylan’s voice may have changed but his consistency as a lyricist and presence on stage, or rather, the presence of the music, shines through. Even then, those hits are still somewhat present, lingering as reminders of his historic work.
A resoundingly good rendition of Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine) marked a nod of approval to the heyday of Blonde on Blonde while Gotta Serve Somebody from the first of the gospel trilogy, Slow Train Coming, marks a nice midpoint for the show. Slotted into a seat a few rows from the stage, there is a sincere and changing reverence for Dylan as a newly formed artist, his presence on stage amounts to nothing more than a bobbing head, up and down behind a piano. It is as he wrote in Chronicles, “With me, it was about putting the song across.” Not much has changed. Dylan’s backing band were quality too, with a sincere, orchestral feel to their simple suits and instrumental variance. There was little time for talk when diving back and forth between a great breadth of instruments. In that way, Dylan did shut up and play the hits, the hits he hopes to continue his career with.
Whatever that next step is, there was no hint of it on stage. Dylan continues on with a legacy like no other, and seeing that on stage was as unique as is to be expected. The perfect set as far as consistency was concerned, with no noticeable flubs, mistimed strokes or botches. Quality musicianship and a strong voice that cuts through in the most unexpected of places, it is clear to see Dylan still has a passion for performing. Keeping consistent with the set he plays each night is a clear belief in the quality of his latest works and the presence they hold on his discography. Every Grain of Sand rounds out the set, a Shot of Love for the audience, who are given a Rough and Rowdy Ways-heavy set (reliant on some appearances of Nashville Skyline and John Wesley Harding material) that confirms and celebrates the intensity Dylan still holds, on stage and off.
