Bob Dylan is drafting in a host of on-stage changes with both Bob Britt and Julian Lage missing from last night’s show.
Britt confirmed he had quit the tour after seven years of working with Dylan earlier this week. Lage, a guest guitarist who had featured on occasional shows since June 13, was also absent from the performance at the Moody Amphitheater in Austin, Texas, last night (June 29). Dylan and his team seemingly brought in a guitarist in time for the show and performed a relatively familiar setlist for those who have been keeping up with the tour so far. Lage’s absence was confirmed as being due to a conflicting date in New York. Joel Paterson has since been signed on as Dylan’s touring guitarist, or at the very least was the guitarist during last night’s performance. Whether he sticks around is yet to be seen.
A full setlist for the Moody Amphitheater show in Austin, Texas, can be found below.
- Watching the River Flow
- Man in the Long Black Coat
- It Ain’t Me, Babe
- Tryin’ to Get to Heaven
- False Prophet
- I Can Tell (Bo Diddley cover)
- Black Rider
- Share Your Love With Me (Bobby Bland cover)
- When I Paint My Masterpiece
- I’ll Make It All Up to You (Jerry Lee Lewis cover)
- Crossing the Rubicon
- Soon After Midnight
- Under the Red Sky
- I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You
- Goodbye Jimmy Reed
- Every Grain of Sand
Britt confirmed he had quit the band in a post to his Facebook page that has since been shared by Dylan fans, Cult Following reported. The surprise departure comes amid speculation that Doug Lancio has also left the group, replaced by jazz guitarist Julian Lage. Britt, who has been a touring member of Dylan’s band since October 2019, confirmed he had quit the tour earlier today (June 28).
He took to Facebook and wrote: “Sayonara Bobby.” When pressed for further detail, he confirmed: “I quit.” Lancio is also believed to have been removed from the tour, though whether he left of his own volition or was fired is yet to be confirmed. Fans have wished both guitarists well as their roles look set to be filled by jazz guitarist Lage.
Users of the Expecting Rain forum also shared their well-wishes for Britt. One gig-goer wrote: “Blessings to Mr. Britt. He and Doug worked very hard to build beautiful textures and structures to the last few tours since when they joined. It was very touching Mr Britt’s Harrison touches. Best wishes to your new time. Enjoy home.”
Another fan noted the mood of the show, saying it was a less-than-stellar experience. They wrote: “A poor show. Bob has seemingly given up on performing anything interesting. Bob Britt was totally checked out the whole time – he seemed pissed off about something (not sure I blame him to be honest, sidelined to acoustic background noise), and that notably angered Bob trying to get his attention.
“Julian Lage was great, although again it was just background noise. A few good concentrated jams but not enough to offset the overall poor set. It’s so plodding! So pedestrian! It’s boring! What’s going on?”
Some fans believe Lage is not a permanent addition to the group and is merely a transitional member of the band until Dylan finds a more suitable replacement. A fan speculated: “I don’t think we’ll see Julian Lage again on stage with Dylan. Going back and forth between two guitar players would make very little sense financially, logistically and would be difficult to accomodate musically as well, with the ever-changing arrangements?
“Colin Linden subbed for Charlie Sexton, because he, Sexton, was the long term replacement. We know Julian Lage is not the long term replacement, so it’ll be someone else, I’d imagine.”
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