An Emotional Night In Dublin

“Now this song is nearly over

We may never find out what it means

Still there's a light I hold before me

And you're the measure of my dreams, the measure of my dreams”

As Bob Dylan sang these words, the final verse of “A Rainy Night in Soho” the crowd’s energy, excitement and emotion seemed to fuel Bob. As we stood, so did Dylan, rising as the song reached its climax, pounding on the piano and nodding in approval, appreciation and achievement.

The whole experience almost feels like a dream. Back when the fall tour was announced, I noticed that the last date would be during Thanksgiving week when we were off and I proposed the idea to my wife. She was game to indulge me in my sickness. I was finally going to check off my last Bob Bucket List Item: See Bob Dylan in Europe✅.

I did some things the same and some things different this time around. First and foremost, locked up plans with my ride or die, Michael Glover Smith. We were going to experience what he said would be the final Rough & Rowdy show (oops) together. Along the way, Erin Callahan became a fifth member of the Heydemann-Bernsteins as we traveled through Dublin and suffered through jet lag together. The one main difference this time around was that Michael and I vowed to not listen to any recordings of the tour. We decided to go in as cold as possible. I wanted to experience the feeling of what it was like to hear Key West for the first time like we did back in 2021 in Milwaukee (the first show). Mike said, “We were there at the beginning and we'll be there at the end!” Oops. 😂

Ok enough of the preamble. Onto the show:

The Venue:

This was an odd one because for the last 4 years, every show I've seen has been in a historic, gorgeous theater, a souless university auditorium or something in-between. This was the first time seeing RRW in an arena and I have to say, not bad! The sound was excellent. The lighting was gorgeous. The staff were friendly, helpful but also took the job very seriously. The announced over the PA like 15 times that Mr. Dylan would come on at 8 sharp, no photos etc. Our seats were slightly to right of the piano, on Bob Britt’s side, 4th row. Pretty perfect.

The Crowd

I had been told that European crowds were much better behaved and civilized at Dylan shows than in the states. That was mostly true. Everyone was super excited to he there, everyone seemed engaged, no complaining about the songs or the sightlines and mostly no talking. This of course was with the exception of the two dudes behind me who exclaimed how much they loved Key West then proceeded to yap through the whole thing 🙄. The crowd really came alive at the end, as previously mentioned. I recognize my privilege of being up so close, because I was told by others that further back was lots of nonsense, folks talking, getting kicked out, etc. Oh well. I was locked into Bob.

The Performance

Usually I call this section “The Setlist” but I'm not going to go song by song. Please check out Laura T’s review on Ray Padgett’s Substack and Erin C’s on the Dylan Review (Hi Paul!).

As I said before I truly didn't know what to expect. I had heard rumblings of some new arrangements but my god I had no idea what I was getting into.

The first thing that popped me was the guitar in It Ain't Me Babe. I was hoping that this would be one of those shows where he played 5x guitar but I'll take what I can get. I love his guitar playing. The simple melody up and down the scale works, and his guitar sounded gorgeous.

Apparently we were partying like it was 2009 because on almost every line of Multitudes, Bob brought back the dreaded “up-singing.” Funny how nostalgia works. I was like “awww remember up-singing?”

For False Prophet Bob and the band were locked in. This was when Bob’s voice became really crystal clear. This would become a theme throughout the night: CLARITY

Black Rider - now with more echo! If you like the echo effect then you'll love this version!

My jaw dropped when My Own Version of You started and it took about 3 verses for me to pick it up. This was a completely new arrangement which I'm so glad wasn't spoiled. The band seemed to come together on two chords at the end of each verse going into the next. Very reminiscent of the Outlaw version of “Forgetful Heart (the superior version imo)” and a little like Cold Irons Bound as Mike pointed out to me. The way he keeps reinventing himself and his own songs is astounding.

What can I say about Desolation Row that I haven't said in every review? A top 5 song for me. I am so grateful to Bob for adding it into the setlist during RRW, keeping it during Outlaw and then back again on RRW. It is now tied with Like A Rolling Stone at x14 on my all time heard list! I will not express the same gratitude for I'll Be Your Baby Tonight as my most heard live at x23. 😉

Always a treat listening to Key West sitting next to Michael, for whom it is a favorite. This particular version had some strange and interesting percussion at the beginning. Some sort of African shaker type instrument. Good job Anton Fig! And this was the most clear I've ever heard Bob on this song. Every single word was enunciated and handled with care.

I had heard there was a gorgeous new It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, and man were they right. A very simple repeating melody (as Michael again pointed out) almost identical to the style of 2019’s Girl From the North Country. Now I'm not a 100% sure, but I'm pretty certain that he was playing Baby Blue in a minor key. I need someone like Eyolf or Steven Rings to check that for me. It was beautiful. The harmonica made me cry.

Mother of Muses was particularly interesting because Bob Britt played a lap/pedal steel guitar! It was on a swivel stand next to Dylan, and while still wearing his Stratocaster, he hunched over it and played it beautifully.

Every Grain Of Sand might be the best closing number of all time. What other song can sum up the Bob Dylan experience/career but also life itself? The harmonica brought the house down as it always does.

Then, on our tip toes, holding our collective breath, we waited as the band did NOT put down their instruments. Suddenly, those familiar Irish, opening notes and the words

“I've been loving you a long time

Down all the years, down all the days…”

Bob did the thing we wanted him to do! He played an extra song on the final night and it was the one we all wanted to hear! (For the record, Michael Glover Smith predicted it). It was highly emotional. A true final stamp on a magnificent story told.

Enjoy nightly moth’s recording here.

Thanks for sticking with me! Shout-out to all the wonderful European friends I finally met in person and to my pals who made the schlep with me from the states. It was a magical night. I love you all!

I'm not sure when I'll see Bob again but hopefully sometime in Spring 2026!

Your Pal,

Henry