Bob Dylan has been praised for his recent show in Asheville, with some believing it to be the best of the tour.
The veteran songwriter, 84, has been on the Spring 2026 tour since March and has extended his North American tour to continue well into summer. Dylan appeared at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina, last night for a sixteen-song set that featured hits from Oh Mercy, John Wesley Harding, and his most recent studio album, Rough and Rowdy Ways. Fans took to the r/BobDylan subreddit to share their thoughts on the spirited performance given by Dylan last night (April 19).
The fan wrote: “I thought the show was pretty spectacular tonight. The crowd was amazing and very appreciative of Bob and understood what he does these days. Applause and cheers after every song performed. Consistent standing ovations by a decent part of the crowd (I was in row eight, so just my perspective). Bob seemed equally appreciative of the crowd (in his own way, of course).
“He seemed to respond to the energy in the venue by the energy and enthusiasm he performed with. His delivery of certain lyrics had attitude and a performative aspect. I truly felt he gave his all in this performance at almost 85 years old.
“My favourite thing about the show was the contrast of how he played some of the songs very close to how they were recorded originally (Love Sick, Every Grain of Sand), and how he had close but alternate takes (I Contain Multitudes, I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You).
“Yes, he wore his hooded jacket, but he was not hidden like the Outlaw tour this past summer. He introduced his band after a couple of songs. He gave the crowd a big wave at the end of the show. It was a pretty awesome end, musically, with Bob breaking out the harmonica at the end of Every Grain of Sand.”
Another fan agreed with the quality of the show, sharing: “I was front row and blown away. He was wonderful. Animated for Bob. Swaying and bopping along. Standing almost the whole time. Also at the end he had his hand over his heart and did an air punch with the other. It was a warm crowd, and the energy was reciprocated. Amazing show.”
A third added: “He performs completely differently when doing others’ work. I still stand by 2016 being his best late-career live shows. Doing the Shadows In The Night and all those songs.
“He stood front and centre, could completely see his face. He danced around. When he played the piano, he would do that bouncing thing you see back in the 1966 live tour, even. And his voice sounded exactly like it does on Shadows In The Night, which I think sounds great personally.”
A full setlist for Dylan’s Asheville show can be found below.
- To Be Alone With You
- Man in the Long Black Coat
- All Along the Watchtower
- I Contain Multitudes
- False Prophet
- Black Rider
- Love Sick
- Goodbye Jimmy Reed
- I Can Tell (Bo Diddley cover)
- I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You
- Crossing the Rubicon
- When I Paint My Masterpiece
- Forgetful Heart
- Soon After Midnight
- Nervous Breakdown (Eddie Cochran cover)
- Every Grain of Sand
