Eighteen times. That’s how many times I’ve now seen Bob Dylan perform live, stretching from my first encounter at Earls Court in 1978 to this latest performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2024. Each time has been different, sometimes mesmerising, sometimes challenging, sometimes unexpected, but always an experience. With Dylan now 83 years old, I couldn’t help but wonder: could this be the last time he will grace a UK stage?
Dylan performed three nights at the Royal Albert Hall, a venue steeped in his own history. Back in 1966, it was here (or more accurately, in Manchester, before the tapes were mislabelled) that he was famously heckled with a cry of “Judas! “as he shifted from folk to electric. Nearly 60 years later, he was back—still unpredictable and always, still rewriting his own rulebook.
The show was part of his Rough and Rowdy Ways world tour, an era that has seen Dylan settle comfortably into the crooning, jazz-infused, storytelling style he’s been refining over the past two decades. The setlist was carefully curated, blending selections from Rough and Rowdy Ways with reimagined versions of classics from his immense back catalogue. A performance shrouded in mystery and surprise.
Firstly, no photographs allowed. We each had to have our phones placed in a small, sealed wallet while in the performance. This was actually a smooth process and did not take as long as I feared. I am not quite sure what the purpose was, but the result was that it forced me to concentrate on Dylan and his performance without any distractions. Hence no photographs, the images are a selection of my programmes from over the years, my poster from the Albert Hall and a picture of me with 250000 others watching Dylan at Blackbushe Aerodrome in 1978 (see image, I am the guy stood in the centre with long black hair and beard, those were the days)
One thing was immediately clear …. this was a concert on Dylan’s terms. The Royal Albert Hall stage was dimly lit, wrapped in an atmospheric golden glow. As has been the case for years now, no cameras, no phones, no distractions, just music. There was no spoken word from Dylan, no greeting, no small talk. He let the songs speak for themselves.
He opened with “All Along the Watchtower,” an immediate reminder that while his voice has changed, the power of his words remains eternal. Stripped of its anthemic energy, this version was slower, moodier, drenched in blues and introspection. From there, “It Ain’t Me, Babe” followed, its defiance softened by Dylan’s aged, world-weary delivery. Hearing “Desolation Row” live was also a special moment, Dylan’s phrasing bending and twisting each line, revealing new nuances in a song I’ve heard a thousand times before.
“When I Paint My Masterpiece” was another highlight—its theme of travel and artistic longing feeling especially poignant, as though Dylan himself was reflecting on his endless journey. Although I didn’t know much of his newer material, “I Contain Multitudes” and “Black Rider” stood out, both tracks sounding even richer in a live setting. Dylan has long blurred the lines between personal confession, poetry, and theatre, and in these songs, he seemed to embody the mysterious, wandering figure he’s always hinted at being.
Perhaps the most moving moment of the evening came with “Every Grain of Sand,” Dylan’s meditation on fate and grace. His voice, ragged but expressive, carried an undeniable weight as he delivered the final words of the set.
And then—just like that—it was over. No encore, no grand farewell. Dylan left the stage as quietly as he had entered, slipping away into the shadows, just as he always has. At 83, Dylan is still reshaping his own legacy. The raw energy of those early performances—where he sneered through protest songs and reinvented rock music—has given way to something more reflective, almost intimate. This wasn’t a show for casual fans expecting Blowin’ in the Wind singalongs. This was a deep, immersive experience, rewarding those willing to listen rather than just remember.
As I left the Royal Albert Hall, I couldn’t help but feel a quiet gratitude. Eighteen times I’ve seen Dylan live, and each time has been different. If this was to be the last, it was a fitting end—subtle, masterful, and completely on his own terms. Fingers crossed though … perhaps number 19 could be waiting for me in the hopefully not too distant future. Oh, and wouldn’t it be wonderful to get to number 20 Mr Dylan.
Many thanks to Laura for assisting with the blog and Chris for helping manipulate the site. And to carers Jan and Jackie both of whom enjoyed the experience as much as me. An iconic artist in an iconic building which carries so many memories for him and me. Wonderful. Legend cannot even begin to cover it.
Setlist: All Along the Watchtower, It Ain’t Me, Babe, I Contain Multitudes, False Prophet, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Black Rider, My Own Version of You, To Be Alone With You, Crossing the Rubicon, Desolation Row, Key West (Philosopher Pirate), Watching the River Flow, It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue, I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You, Mother of Muses, Goodbye Jimmy Reed, Every Grain of Sand.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by TerriersFan on February 11, 2025 at 6:23 pm
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Posted by johnmadden660 on February 11, 2025 at 6:31 pm
That’s a lovely review. I was at one of the Edinburgh shows and was equally transfixed. I’d seen Nick Cave only a few days before in Leeds. Both really excellent gigs on their own quite different terms. Was only my third Dylan gig, the other two being Blackbushe, like yourself (great pic btw!) and Edinburgh Playhouse in 2010 I think.
Cheers
Posted by vintagerock on February 11, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Hi John glad that you liked my review. I have not seen Nick Cave for some time. Which I went to Leeds this time around. Blackbushe was magnificent. The guy is awesome Peter
Posted by TerriersFan on February 12, 2025 at 9:55 am
Wow! Eighteen times! You’re a glutton for punishment, Peter! Only joking. 🙂
I haven’t seen him myself, but my daughter saw Dylan and Neil Young at Hyde Park a few years ago, and she preferred NY. Like me, she intensely dislikes artists who don’t indulge in any kind of conversation with the audience; it smacks of downright rudeness and arrogance.
Anyway, as ever, yours is a good review and I am pleased that, as ever, you enjoyed yourself.
Keep ’em coming!
Roger 🤘👍
(PS. Apologies for my previous “comment” – my tablet has been playing-up recently)
Posted by vintagerock on February 12, 2025 at 10:49 am
I am a massive Bob Dylan fan and the guy can do no wrong in my eyes Roger. He is a living legend and so many of today’s artists would not be here without him laying the ground for them. Happy days Peter
Posted by Mike Tulloch on February 12, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Magnificent! I’m in awe of you as much as you are of Dylan. You deserve to be Knighted for your contribution to music.
Here’s to number 21!
Mike
Posted by vintagerock on February 13, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Many thanks indeed Mike. Yes Dylan is indeed a legend. Happy days Peter
Posted by SICKS6SIX on February 14, 2025 at 12:21 pm
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Posted by ciarant1step on February 14, 2025 at 6:05 pm
I’m also amazed at 18 Dylan concerts! And the latest sounds extraordinary. This review, taking in all your past experiences was super.
Really liked the photograph of you in the middle of it all too.
Posted by vintagerock on February 15, 2025 at 1:41 pm
Many thanks Ciaran Bob Dylan is an extraordinary legendary artist. My hair is sadly nowhere near as thick as it was in those days. Happy days.