Bob Dylan surprisingly sharp in sold-out, phone-free Rochester concert (review, setlist)

Bob Dylan wasn’t rough or rowdy on Tuesday night at the Rochester Auditorium Theatre, treating nearly 2,500 fans to a spectacular 18-song performance that featured surprisingly sharp vocals.

The 82-year-old Nobel laureate and his five-man backing band played an hour and 50-minute long set that contained a multitude of older songs spliced in with his Rough and Rowdy Ways tracklist (minus the almost 17-minute long “Murder Most Foul”).

Shortly after 8 p.m., a recording of Beethoven began to play as the band took to the stage under dim red lights; Dylan’s entrance prompted a spirited standing ovation that quelled as the seemingly ageless folk hero opened his set with “Watching the River Flow,” a song he’s now played 652 times.

Many of the songs Dylan featured were just as well worn as the opener, yet still retained their magic. Tracks like “Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)” and “Gotta Serve Somebody” sounded fresh even after all the years, especially when grouped in with new songs like “I Contain Multitudes,” “Crossing the Rubicon,” and “Key West (Philosopher Pirate)”. Dylan even included a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Stella Blue,” and fans should be pleasantly surprised to learn this is just the second time that Dylan has performed this song live.

On average, the songs lasted around six minutes each, with room enough for Dylan to stretch out with a piano solo or sit back and let his bandmates play a lead on the lap steel guitar or violin. Dylan’s vocal performance was superb, especially for someone who so frequently catches flak for his live vocals. The singer was equally as stellar on the piano, which he played throughout the show.

The majority of the songs featured Dylan’s classic, clean, folk-driven sound, but the thumping riff of “False Prophet” and spooky blues of “Black Rider” featured grooving rock sections that offered a nice alternative to other instrumentally stripped-back tunes.

Dylan commanded his audience’s undivided attention, thanks in part to a no-phone rule which he instituted himself. While a Bob Dylan audience is going to be composed of many serious fans intent on watching every second of the show, the folk veteran wasn’t taking any chances.

The Auditorium Theatre, per Dylan’s request, required guests to turn their phones to silent or vibrate mode and place them inside of a pouch, which was then magnetically locked. The pouches remained locked until the end of the show (designated phone areas were set up in the lobby, and Theatre staff were present to unlock phone pouches whenever necessary).

The unique stipulation curbed screen glares and other phone-based distractions, but some fans were probably disappointed to not be able to take pictures and videos.

Dylan’s music, aura, and rules created an atmosphere that felt direct and personal, and he relied little on audience interaction between songs to engage his listeners. Other than saying a few thank-yous, the only time Dylan spoke was to introduce his band after they finished “Mother of Muses.”

After introducing all his bandmates, Dylan said, “Now that’s a good band! It’s not easy playing these songs, but this band can do it. Sorta.”

Fittingly, the band ended with two of the most impressive performances of the night, new track “Goodbye Jimmy Reed” and old classic “Every Grain of Sand.” Representing the best of Dylan’s discography old and new, these two songs were the perfect closing to a sublime set. Fans loved hearing the newer song, but it was “Every Grain of Sand” which brought the house down – as the song drew near a close, Dylan leaned in and played a sensational harmonica solo, the first of the night, that sang with all the emotion and expression that first established Dylan all those years ago.

Bob Dylan has performed for nearly 60 years, and a ticket to one of his concerts still delivers on the promise of an intimate experience with one of America’s most prolific songwriters.

Setlist:

Watching the River Flow

Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)

I Contain Multitudes

False Prophet

When I Paint My Masterpiece

Black Rider

My Own Version of You

I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight

Crossing the Rubicon

To Be Alone with You

Key West (Philosopher Pirate)

Gotta Serve Somebody

I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You

That Old Black Magic

Stella Blue

Mother of Muses

Goodbye Jimmy Reed

Every Grain of Sand