Bob Dylan has sparked a rather fierce debate among his fans after implementing a strict rule about the use of camera phones at his gigs.
The 83-year-old recently announced he’d be returning to the UK later this year with a string of new dates in Edinburgh, London, Nottingham, Wolverhampton and other English cities.
Dylan has been touring his album, Rough and Rowdy Ways, since 2021, performing for crowds in London, Glasgow and Oxford already back in 2022.
For the 2024 dates, as has been a trend throughout the tour, phones will be banned.
When arriving at the venue, concertgoers will be required to put their phones in a secure pouch before getting to see Dylan perform.
The pouch closes automatically and fans won’t be able to retrieve their devices until Dylan has finished performing and they make their way out of the venue.
Bob Dylan is returning to the UK later this year for a string of shows
GETTY
Reacting to the news following the release of further UK dates this year, it’s safe to say not all fans were on board with the idea.
In response to a BBC article about the ban, some applauded the move, including one music fan who penned on X: “Fantastic. About time gigs were like this, actually listen and engage with the artist you’ve paid so much money to watch…not through your phone screen. Well done Bob.”
A second agreed: “The way it should be. Brain dead morons who spend whole concerts with their phone out recording don’t just waste it for themselves but those behind them trying to watch.”
Elsewhere, a third similarly sided with Dylan: “(He’s) done this at his shows the last couple of times he toured England.
Bob Dylan fans will have to lock their phones away before seeing the singer perform
GETTY
“Surely people can be without their phones for 1.5 hours… also if you are desperate to check it you can just go back outside,” they added with a laughing emoji.
And a fourth bluntly weighed in: “Phones shouldn’t be in his gigs anyway as it’d spoil the atmosphere.”
However, not everyone was convinced it was a fair move on fans who’ve paid their admission money and may want to use their phones.
“Bob Dylan wants phone free concerts. Where your phone is locked in a provided bag until the concert ends. What mad times we have arrived at,” one fan criticised.
And a second argued: “Can understand them wanting people to be more present in the moment, but at the same time it would be weird not being able to take any photos or videos! At least they don’t take the phones off you, just lock their usage…” (sic)
Dylan finishes the US leg of his The Rough and Rowdy Ways tour in September before jetting across the pond to kick off the European leg in Prague, Czech Republic on October 4.
Bob Dylan and His Band present the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour this fall in North America!
See for October dates, which go on sale this Friday, August 25.
More dates will be posted soon.
Don’t you dare miss it! pic.twitter.com/cCZOtoUxh4
— Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) August 21, 2023
Dylan kicks off his UK leg of the tour in Bournemouth on November 1 before heading up to Liverpool on November 3.
He will perform for the Edinburgh crowds at the Usher Hall on November 5 and 6 before heading back south of the border.
Nottingham awaits on November 8 before Dylan entertains crowds in Wolverhampton on November 9 and 10.
He’ll round out his UK leg with gigs at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 12, 13, and 14.
Source Agencies
