Knowing what to expect from a Bob Dylan show is crucial. Few artists are going to subvert their hits and play around with their contemporary songs as much as the Desolation Row songwriter. It’s his right, and it’s what makes the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour so indefinable yet so sincere. That balance is struck perfectly by Dylan at the First Direct Arena, a venue which has played host to the likes of Sam Fender, Fontaines D.C. and Nick Cave in the last year. With the veteran performer confirming the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour will continue next year, now is the perfect time to figure out what Dylan is offering his audience. His and the band’s sharpness at this Leeds gig is a very high bar of quality. Those who have attended before will love the nuances, the extended intros and blows of the harmonica. Those who mark this as their first Dylan gig are given a phenomenal show.
But it all depends on what you made of the contemporary material. Rough and Rowdy Ways dominates the setlist, no surprise given it’s the title of the tour. But for some in the crowd, those milling back and forth from bar to seat to toilet to seat again, the restlessness comes from the unexpected. Performers with decades behind them are expected to play their hits because, for many attendees, it makes sense to shut up and play the hits. You could argue Dylan doesn’t do this, but with the likes of It Ain’t Me, Babe, Desolation Row, and It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue in the mix, it’s clear that he does offer his hits. Contemporary work is, naturally, going to feature heavily, and it sounds just as wonderful as the classic tracks. Accepting the change in tone, the difference in voice, and the so-called Dylanism’s of his vocal range, are all part of giving yourself up to the experience.
You may not be able to see him, but you’re there to listen. Give yourself up to the show as Dylan gives himself up to the audience with a truly touching rendition of I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You. Commentaries on mortality reign in the latter half, with Mother of Muses and Every Grain of Sand hammering home a sort of finality which had people believe last year would be his last on the road. Not so, and thankfully not. A performance like this one proves Dylan has much more to give. Rousing performances of When I Paint My Masterpiece and Crossing the Rubicon are real highlights. The instrumental class, the daringness of that baby grand piano and the longevity of the touring musicians around Dylan offers a comfortable foundation to riff on and expand these songs.
At the best of times, like with To Be Alone with You or Desolation Row, the results are revelatory. You’ll find something in yourself you never knew was there with a Dylan show, so long as you give yourself up to missing this lyric or that note. Things have changed for Dylan as a performer. These are not moments to be documented by a camera or talked over, but if you truly give yourself up to the show, then connecting with it is no harm at all. No screens, dim lighting, these are self-made blockades for a crowd needing visual stimulation. What Dylan provides here is an all-time great performance, a truly exhilarating time that digs deep into what makes his songs so long-lasting. He just about finds out how it comes to be, but in true Dylan fashion, you’d have to be there, in the moment, to understand why they still click with a new generation.
Your review is excellent. This was my 10th time of seeing Dylan going back to the early 80’s including the Albert Hall last year. I genuinely think that his voice and overall sound was the best by far. Whilst he was more visible on previous occasions this was a concert to lose yourself in everything that makes Dylan Dylan. Clearly some newbies expected giant screens and a string of 60’s classics but for the rest a night of pure magic.
People voted with their feet from the 4th song, that’s the true measure. Loads of em. Keep it real
Spot on.greatnight of Dylan
Sultry set & appreciated no screens but sitting invisible behind his piano for the whole gig wasn’t appreciated. Great to hear his voice but understand why many left early as interaction was lacking. As a life long fan of Dylan – having this one and only experience to actually SEE this great man left us sadly disappointed.
last night was a show from the master i have seen dylan now from earls court to blackbush to every city in europe to madison square gardens i was privileged to see him finally in my home town if you go to see dylan expecting tambourine man you will be disappointed if not your in for a treat Thanks Bob
Absolute rubbish! The bright lights at the back of the stage totally obscured everyone. Not one word was spoken to the audience throughout, not on arrival or on the sudden departure. Poor material. Avoid this one.
It was the worst thing I’ve experienced. And I once saw a seagull peck a hole right through a pigeon in Soho. There’s so much Kool-Aid being drunk here, we ought to declare a threat of national poisoning. Harrumph.
From arrival outside the stadium massive queue in pouring rain. Really badly managed by the arena,leaving people standing outside in the freezing rain and wind, meaning by the time you got into the gig you we’re freezing and wet. Totally agree with the comments about the lighting behind him, which dazzled and blinded the audience.No interaction what so ever from him, just felt rude. A simple thank you would have sufficed but nothing. Having seen other gigs where at least the artist says thank you at the end. Definitely not value for money.
Someone paid for my ticket and i still felt robbed, every aspect of gig was appalling
As a fan for 60 years I was beyond excited to finally see him live … unfortunately I didn’t actually see him – was he even there?? So disappointed… I knew he wasn’t going to sing much of his early songs but I did hope to actually see the guy? There was absolutely no acknowledgment that he had an audience at all, nothing … sorry, just rude and disrespectful of his audience… My best part of the evening was a drink in The Wrens afterwards!!
I’ve loved Dylan’s music for a long time and was so excited to go to a gig of his for the very first time, but whilst I enjoyed the music I was sadly disappointed that, as already mentioned, there was absolutely no interaction with the audience, he was barely visible to me from behind his piano and the lighting wasn’t good either. Found myself closing my eyes a lot to listen as the bad lighting and lack of visibility became frustrating – had to remind myself a few times that Dylan was in the room and I wasn’t listening to him on my Spotify!
Disappointing. Definitely not worth the money or a lasting memory. Bought tickets for my dad and partner (early Christmas present). Poor organisation into venue. Show very poor. No screens, lightening terrible, no interaction. Deflated!
When you spend £100+ a ticket, its worth researching what you are buying.
Too many seemed to anticipate a 30 year old Dylan sprinting around the stage doing a roaring trot through of ‘the hits’. Well you got what you deserved. Disappointment. Buy yourself a time machine next time and/or do your research.
The man is 84, he has moved on from the 60’s, cant actually sing like he did, and plays now for his own pleasure and for musically doodling different versions of songs from his rich catelogue. As for him saying ‘thank you’, it really should be the other way round. Dylan isnt a performing seal.
For me Id have loved to see a 30 year old Dylan, but what we got was much richer than I expected. There were more of the older songs than I expected, and there was more care put into the set than I dared hope. As for not seeing him, well he was hardly a looker in 1965 was he? I saw him at his piano, I saw Dylan perform live. That was well enough
That puts all those moaning non true fans in their place…..l wish l could have been closer situated on the lower balcony with my father, but to hear Dylan live in this late stage of his career was a very moving and profound experience, l felt we were witnessing the expression of his soul on a very intimate level and l will always appreciate and thank him for that
On the whole a very underwhelming experience- I wasn’t concerned about having to hand my mobile phone in but when I was sat up at the top, with no big screen to see the man I left disappointed- The music sounded good , clear & sharp but I thought he would of played a couple of his bigger hits – There was also no interaction with the audience- Rubbish night , average at best , £45 for a ticket would of been the correct price to pay
Bob, For Gods sake a simple hello, goodnight, thank you would of been nice and even an introduction to the band would of been appreciated but no, nothing!!, very poor lighting that actually hurt my old eyes at times, Took my 16yr old grandson because as he said, ” I will never get another chance to see him live”, Well if he ever did I suspect he would pass on another gig after this night. Thank you for the music dude but why do live shows if you don’t want to be seen.
It’s like the incredible shrinking man! Been to 4 Dylan concerts since 2014 and believe me he has got quieter and quieter (ie: not talking) and more and more invisible. May as well stay at home and listen to a CD!
Bob Dylan … where to start
Queuing up outside in the driving rain for 20 minutes.
The production…
The stage was black.
The set/curtains were black.
The Lighting… there were about 6 or 7 60W light bulbs illuminating the stage.
The band were dressed in black.
I couldn’t work out how many were in the band it was so dark … maybe 4 or 5.
I think Dracula was on bass.
Bob played piano throughout .
I was so far from the stage it was impossible to tell if it was Bob or not.
There were no TV screens or graphics… I guess the memo arrived late.
I don’t confess to know Dylans work that well … but I recognised 2 tracks Let the River Flow & Baby Blue.
The set was mainly blues numbers … to be fair the musicianship was good.
Dylan played harmonica 3 or 4 times which pleased the officianados.
His singing was a bit on the croaky side.
He didn’t say hello.
He didn’t say goodbye.
He didn’t say anything.
There was no encore… they didn’t bow or wave.
They just slunk off and the house lights came on.
Apparently Dylan was on guitar for first 4 song sitting at piano with back to us, allegedly. Hats off to you if you managed to stay till end. We didn’t along with hoards of others..
The Arena is the most in personable venue and badly managed, so didn’t help to make the gig at all intimate as it should have been.If he is going to sing he choose a small venue (it was a small venue price£100!) I saw him in at his best 66 Sheffield and it was genius in the making.But sad to say the gig was a let down.