bob dylan - O2 May

wow sierra · 06-05-2009 07:10PM

Gig started at 8.10 and finished at 10.05 - DO NOT ARRIVE AT 8.30.

While I was there I enjoyed it - but I have to say I would like some sort of interaction with the crowd. I mean he does a radio programme its not like he is averse to talking. I know, I know, I have seen him a few times before so I knew what to expect. But I actually enjoyed my visit to the cinema for "I'm not there" more.

Wont be bothered going to see him live again - but I am damn glad he has produced all the great music he has.

McCruiskeen · 06-05-2009 07:11PM

Cheers for the heads up. The skates are on!

fraglerocks · 07-05-2009 12:42PM

Well, I have to say that was one of the worst concerts I was at, and that includes a Smashing Pumpkins concert I nearly got crushed to death at a few years ago. He was sh1te. The songs were unrecognisible and it sounded like he was belching out words. I've been listening to him for about 17 years, mostly his old albums, all from before the 80's, so one would think I would be able to recognise the songs, but up to Like a Rollin' Stone, I could only barely recognise about 4 of them.

The reason the old songs ment something and were so powerful was the way he used to spit the words out, the tempo of the tune and the pitch. The only thing that's the same now are the words.

I think he should just hang up the mike now and concentrate on the writing (still great) and not be fleecing punters of nearly €100 a head to see a rubbish gig.

Wishbone Ash · 07-05-2009 12:45PM

I don't know why I keep putting myself through this!

He was crap in Slane in '84, crap in the RDS in '89, crap in Kilkenny in '05 and last night he was just horrendous. All round me, people were bored, talking, texting and taking pics of each other. Many even left half way through.

I stick to the albums from now on.

Driver 8 · 07-05-2009 01:18PM

After every Bob Dylan gig, I'm reminded of Dylan Moran's words about heroin, whereby he feels sorry for people who get messed up by it, because you think they would have heard about the ill effects from someone by now :P

Same complaints every time, "the song's don't sound the same" "his voice is wrecked" "no interaction" etc etc

Dylan gigs should be a known quantity at this stage, he plays here so frequently. You should know the songs are going to be differently arranged, and a cursory listen to any of his last four albums should mean you're acquainted with the sound of his voice in its present condition.

I'd never heard the new arrangements of any of the songs and was able to recognise them relatively quickly, as were most of the people I talked to about the gig afterward. Like I said, his gigs should be a known quantity, and if said quantity isn't for you, then so be it. But we will have the same complaints on here the next time he plays, guaranteed. Dylan's been attracting controversy for his live performance for about 43 years to be fair.

Easy Rider · 07-05-2009 01:22PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I don't know why I keep putting myself through this!

He was crap in Slane in '84, crap in the RDS in '89, crap in Kilkenny in '05 and last night he was just horrendous. All round me, people were bored, talking, texting and taking pics of each other. Many even left half way through.

I stick to the albums from now on.

Well it was the first time I went to see him, people told me not to go but wanted to at least give it a try. So looks like Wednesdays gig was the same all round, pretty rubbish. But man you have been caught out 4 times now! Ouch.

Anyway, I think some people will defend Bob Dylan no matter what and say they really enjoyed it etc etc which is fine maybe they did, but I do feel people in their hearts will be disappointed....every other gig I have been too has been better than Dylans.....there is nothing wrong with saying you did not enjoy a Bob Dylan gig, you can still be a fan.

Wishbone Ash · 07-05-2009 01:33PM

Driver 8 wrote: »

After every Bob Dylan gig, I'm reminded of Dylan Moran's words about heroin, whereby he feels sorry for people who get messed up by it, because you think they would have heard about the ill effects from someone by now :P

Easy Rider wrote: »

But man you have been caught out 4 times now! Ouch.

I take the point lads. (I was given the ticket for last night - otherwise I wouldn't have been there

.) Perhaps it's too many years of listening to the 'Live at Budokan' album that leaves me disappointed.

I don't go to many concerts but some artists can be way above expectations. Roger Waters blew me away last year. It was many times better than I expected.

crazzzzy · 07-05-2009 01:38PM

Hey guys, I think everyone expects dylan to sound like he did years back but hes voice isn't the same anymore and he changes around the songs because of this.

Im not making excuses for him...I was disappointed but not surprised he didn't speak, but thats dylan for you. he does what he wants!!

I was at amsterdam concert few weeks ago and it wasn't great to be honest...the atmosphere wasn't good, the sound wasn't as good as the O2. It won't stop me going again though. I don't have any expectations going to his concerts cause I know its pointless.

The new album was only released and the european leg of the tour started before this so that may be why he hasn't played much off it or maybe its cause he doesn't want to....who knows!!

fraglerocks · 07-05-2009 01:58PM

Well I had seen him in Kilkenny and somewhere else I can't remember now, so I kinda knew what to expect. The song arrangements were just rubbish full stop. I've heard better pub bands to be honest. If I heard what I heard last night on radio, I would have just switched it off.

Nevertheless, I will continue to listen to his old recordings and lament the great memories I have associated with his music and morn the fact I wasn't around during his hay day.

He's sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all
Muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall...

Wishbone Ash · 07-05-2009 04:21PM

bobbyjoe wrote: »

Good to see him play guitar

kaiphas wrote: »

It was a standard enough set - no screens

Easy Rider wrote: »

I knew someone would say 'you're there to listen not to see.' - Well I disagree

I would have liked to see him but, without a screen, it was nearly impossible from my seat. I could just barely make out a chap with a hat and presumed it was he.

He a pic taken from my seat for those who may not be familiar with the venue. (Apologies for the crap quality).

meathmannn · 07-05-2009 06:24PM

Very dissappointing gig.
I've always been a fan, and never had the chance to see him live.
He came on stage and was hidden with the 5 piece band. No hello/goodbye or any interaction with the audience.
I took me a while to figure out that I knew the lyrics but the tunes were just elevator music.
I suppose 50+ years of gigging he must get bored and want to play around with the arrangements etc.
Waste of cash...would have been better buying old albums on cd...to replace my cassettes from the 80's!!

Someone once said you should never meet your heroes.

gaf1983 · 07-05-2009 07:34PM

Glad I saw him, as it was my first time seeing him and would count myself as a reasonably big fan. Wasn't overly thrilled but wasn't disappointed either, I expected his arrangements to be very different to the original recordings of the old stuff.

I had a choice of either getting a 10pm or 12.30am bus back to Limerick, as I was working this morning at 8. In the end I left at 9.30 to get the 10 o'clock bus, about two songs after Highway 61.

Did I miss much?

queensinead · 07-05-2009 08:42PM

Was in the 02 at Dylan May 6th. Got free standing ticket. Am claustrophobic, love Dylan, but have heard brutal stuff about his live shows, so was not going to go. I'm so glad I did. The standing area allowed you to move back, get drinks (bar service is fantastic) dance to the music etc. a real free feeling. I thought the band was terrific. I loved Dylan's haunting version of "Desolation Row" and the whole thing was a rockin' success. The people round me were cheering and having a great time. I sort of pitied those trapped up in the seats, politely applauding The Voice of a Generation (not). Look, Dylan is an old man. His voice is all but gone. That is the reality, but how then did he lift the whole thing to such a level? I don't know but I loved it.
He never really engaged with his audience during any part of his career. That is not good, (people are there to see as well as hear) but it's always been that way, so you know it's not going to happen. Believe me, it used to be worse, with a young, jittery Dylan sulkily strutting around the stage, glowering like a vexed cockatoo. (I saw him in London in '74)
In my view, he is one of the few 60s artists who will outlive his era: a haunting, troubling presence, a real "voice without restraint". Of course there is some nostalgia--for the beautiful 60s minstrel boy with the shades, for the genius "Blood on the Tracks" which his voice no longer reaches....for the time that flies.......Still, I'm so glad I went

wow sierra · 07-05-2009 09:15PM

I wouldn't be as negative as some people about the experience - it wasnt that bad. But I definitely wouldn't go to see him unless you are very familiar with his music.
I must say all the people around me - including myself - were singing and dancing as well and paying full attention to the stage. I was glad I had standing tickets. I would have hated to be in the seats beside someone who was texting/passing in and out to the bar. Just like a woman, Masters of war, blowin in the wind and Stuck inside of mobile would have been my highlights - mind you I think we were just singing our own version of Mobile and ignoring Bob.

I have listened to more Dylan in the last week than I had for months - remembering just how great Modern Times is etc. If his visits to Dublin at least encourage me to dust off my CDs its something!!!!!
Found this on You tube - he can talk in gigs!!!!!! Now it would have been nice to have been at that!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVfvLEhWmbA

Mossy Monk · 07-05-2009 11:15PM

fraglerocks wrote: »

Well, I have to say that was one of the worst concerts I was at, and that includes a Smashing Pumpkins concert I nearly got crushed to death at a few years ago. He was sh1te. The songs were unrecognisible and it sounded like he was belching out words. I've been listening to him for about 17 years, mostly his old albums, all from before the 80's, so one would think I would be able to recognise the songs, but up to Like a Rollin' Stone, I could only barely recognise about 4 of them.

The reason the old songs ment something and were so powerful was the way he used to spit the words out, the tempo of the tune and the pitch. The only thing that's the same now are the words.

I think he should just hang up the mike now and concentrate on the writing (still great) and not be fleecing punters of nearly €100 a head to see a rubbish gig.

What exactly did you expect from a Bob Dylan concert? He should hang up the mic? :rolleyes:

setanta74 · 08-05-2009 11:40AM

I'm no uber-fan of Dylan but have a load of his stuff and it was the first time I saw him live. I knew what to expect (voice, interaction, re-arrangements etc)

I have to say it was a hugely enjoyable experience. The band were excellent. I'd like to see a pub band with a stand up bass player like Dylan had. I was in seats way back yet everyone around me were well into it and seemed to be enjoying it. Didnt see any sour pusses, or moaners on the way out. Everyone was happy out.

His versions of Desolation row, Rolling stone, Highway 61 and Watchtower were top notch.

His voice even held up very well. I think some people had their minds made up before they even saw the show. We got Dylan on guitar, harmonica and organ. Some shows in Europe he actually just plonked himself behind the organ and never budged all night. Well done Bob. Not bad for a 67 year old!!!

crazzzzy · 08-05-2009 01:28PM

Great to finally hear people say they enjoyed the show....thought i was the only one

wow Sierra, I think you hit the nail on the head - younger dylan fans that have been listening to older albums would be disappointed as he sounds alot different.

Met some older fans after the show aswell that hadn't seen him in years and they were disappointed that his voice is much raspier now and he doesn't move as much.

My fave live show is the Philharmonic '64 bootleg or Budokan '78....he sounds like he's really enjoying the shows and even laughing and talking :eek: but thats a rarity for him.

I enjoy when he sings the songs different so you're trying to figure which it is....how many artists out there can change so many songs so many times. He really is a genius.

mosstin · 08-05-2009 07:28PM

My alternate take on Dylan @ The O2 here........

menapian · 09-05-2009 04:30PM

First time seeing Dylan live and overall was underwhelmed by the experience. Dylan is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in modern music but lets face it, the older all these ageing stars get, the smaller the venue they should play. Glad to have seen him but would only go see him again if he were playing Vicar St .. or even better .. my sitting room. On another note with regard the O2 was at the Counting Crows last night and thought the sound (particularly vocals) was terrible. Thought the same for Dylan too.

Notorious · 10-05-2009 03:50PM

crazzzzy wrote: »

Great to finally hear people say they enjoyed the show....thought i was the only one

Haha I was thinking the same thing. I thought it was an excellent gig, slightly better than the only other Dylan gig I've been to (two years ago in the Point, I think). I think people need to respect that Bob Dylan is 67 now (I thought he looked older) and he isn't full of the life he had when he recorded Blonde on Blonde. It would've been cool if he spoke a few words to the crowd, but I don't think that's too important; he did look pretty happy when everyone started singing along to Just Like a Woman.

Have to say I was delighted to see him pick up the guitar too! He stayed solely on the keys last time I saw him.

The Pontiac · 10-05-2009 04:15PM

Dylan NEVER interacts with the crowd, he never did.

Dylan NEVER plays the song as it was originally played, he never did.

I saw him in Kilkenny a few years ago, and while I knew exactly what to expect, I wasn't disappointed at all. His music style has changed dramatically over the years. His current style is very bluesy.

I just don't know what exactly people expect to see/hear.

iHeartRyanAdams · 18-05-2009 12:40PM

i have watched loads of bob dylans concerts but this was my first time actually going to one.
i absoloutely adore his odd little movements and facial expressions on stage but in the second set of seating in the 02 he was a mere, little blur.

adding that to that the fact that he didn't utter a single word to the crowd i never really warmed to the concert, i left with a bemused feeling, he was brilliant, the music flawless but it could have been anyone up there?

i think they really should have had large screens, it kinda ruined the experience for me, i know you go to a concert to hear the performer but actually being able to see them heightens the whole experience to a different plane.

bob dylan - O2 May

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