Bob Dylan bans mobile phones from 2022 U.K. concerts

We had front seat tickets to see him in Birmingham a few years ago. Everyone rushed to the front as soon as he came on so we could hardly see anything. There was also a ban on photography. Everyone was still taking pictures with cameras and mobile phones. Security staff did nothing either to control the crowds or stop the photography. I'm not sure why he still performs. His music was terrible and clearly he has no interest in his fans. I wouldn't bother again!

Off topic but when we saw Woodstock in London cinema a lot of the audience were smoking marijuana.

I’ve seen Bob live three times. The first was absolutely marvellous, the second was good but the last one- no. He came across as very arrogant then and kept prissing with his hair. Not the Bob I remembered so fondly at all. That last time he only played his new stuff that no one knew and he was only on a very short time. I like to remember the first time, so very good and in those days the marijuana scent was so powerful you didn’t need to actually smoke it yourself !

I was told about 10 years ago that Dylan was no longer worth seeing live...

I never get my phone out during a gig, preferring to be "in the moment", plus other people take much better photos/videos than me, especially those with a good view, which I can find online later! Generally find it annoying and distracting!

Prince was another one who banned mobiles - I was lucky enough to be at an afterparty in 2007 (his 21 nights at the O2) and the guy next to me nearly got thrown out, because his GF kept texting him! Security were patrolling the whole time!

My husband has seen Bob in concert a few times. He said he's a miserable git on stage.

I’ve attached a Photograph of tickets to see Dylan from 1978 that are on the wall in our music room.
He’s playing the Armadillo in Glasgow in Oct. sadly we can’t make it.

Saw him in Newcastle. Fantastic. He did a great version of Masters of War which the audience loved (he must know something of the city's heritage). He is widely known to specify requirements and only perform in places he is happy with.

Woodstock I'm very envious!

In the 90s we did a tour of the eastern US and drove through the area - a very lush, expensive farming county if I remember rightly.

Galaxy I knew very little about Dylan; and last year there was a series of documentaries about him on R4 which I listened to.
It was absolutely fascinating how creative he is and the depth of his work.
But then I listened to his music, wanting to love it, and… ‘meh’.
I’m probably just a massive Philistine.

Iam64 Wow! ?
You should definitely do an Ask Me Anything thread!
I’ve read that in some ways it was actually quite unpleasant because they totally underestimated just how many people would turn up.
Was it quite hard going?
Who was your favourite act?

Iam64 you were at Woodstock!! I am so jealous. What an experience to remember.
The closest I got was the film at Odeon Leicester Square. 1970.

My husband will be going to see him Fanny but he’s not my cup of tea.

I saw him at Woodstock and in Manchester but 40 something years ago. I wouldn’t bother now.
I don’t blame him for fanning mobiles, though it does confirm his image as a grumpy old codger

I've just checked, his London dates are at the London Palladium - obviously his people know that he's never going to fill the O2 Arena!

Saw him at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969, he was awesome! Or is that just my memory playing tricks!
I’d rather prefer him as he was, so won’t be seeing him this time.!

Yes I have seen him live and he was awful.

I saw Dylan many years ago (40?) in Dublin. Big disappointment, the supporting group was better. We couldn't even see his face, and we didn't recognise one song. He wore a hoodie with the hood pulled over a baseball cap. I sometimes wonder was it really him .
However I would think about going, but he's not coming here. Scotland, Wales, England, but not Ireland.

I agree about banning mobiles - it's very distracting having phones held high in front of you, plus it's a strange thing to prefer to watch a concert via a screen when the artist is live in front of you!

I used to love Dylan and would have liked to have seen him in his heyday but don't think I'd bother now - like Macca at Glastonbury would only want to hear his old stuff!

I think that other artists have done this too. Madonna springs to mind.
Do they have to be unlocked by hand? It must take ages.

I know that there are a lot of big Dylan fans on here.
Is anyone going to see him, I wonder