A man who needs neither a support act nor introductions, the great legend Mr Bob Dylan graced the stage of the Riverside Theatre in Perth with the air of musical royalty, and the same savagely cool grace he has carried for the last 50 years.

There was little pomp and circumstance, and little ceremony as he opened his Australian leg of the ‘Never Ending Tour’, just a few simple licks of guitar, and off he went. His first trip back to Australia since Bluesfest 2011, it was a sold-out room and people were dying to hear him again.

Whether too cool, too tired, or just too damn old for any crowd interaction, apart from his lyrics Dylan kept silent most of the night, with just a single utterance of “Thank you” as he departed the stage for an intermission. This in no way discouraged the crowd who called a virtual constant stream of adoration and praise throughout the night.

He even managed to receive a standing ovation before he uttered a single note – a feat few artists could boast. Security were kept on their feet with the over-enthusiastic elders in the audience barely able to contain themselves to their seats – several people were politely ushered away from the stage and out of the aisles where their hearts led them to dance like back in the old days.

Opening with his 2000 number ‘Things Have Changed’, controversial for its use in the 2014 Superbowl, he had the crowd drawn in from the get go, and despite the lyrics of the song, it was clear nothing had changed in their minds and hearts – Bob is Bob, and he is always the same.

His next number, the much earlier ‘She Belongs to Me’ earned him his third standing ovation for the night as fans leapt from their seats to cheer, clap, call, and for some just wave their arms wildly and shamelessly. Seriously, there was as much enthusiasm and adoration from this crowd, not dissimilar  to what 1 Direction or 5 Seconds Of Summer could expect from their 15-year-olds.

As gravelly and growly as ever, and bluntly – missing as many notes as he always has – it’s not Dylan’s voice that people come for, and it’s certainly not his banter – but his charm and charisma are unmistakable when he’s in the moment, and of course his iconic lyrics cannot help but draw you in.

He can’t sing, but dang it can he write some words that really mean something. People were grinning, chuckling, and nodding along, as he sang through his classics like “Tangled Up in Blue”, and newer (in the grand scheme of his career) material like “Workingman’s Blue #2” and “Forgetful Hearts” – the clear crowd favourite from the main set.

Another favourite number of the night was 1975’s ‘Simple Twist of Fate’ which sent out a few chuckles from the older members of the audience. Whether deep in nostalgia, or understanding the lyrics all over again, this was the number that had people sitting back and sighing contently, only before amping right up again for their enthusiastic applause.

Tragically, Dylan did not pick up a guitar all night, but entertained more than sufficiently alternating between grand piano, and his box of harmonicas. He didn’t move or groove much, but pulled out a couple of old man dance moves as he belted out his set.

After leaving the stage at the conclusion of “Long and Wasted Years”, another number which hypnotically dragged people from their seats to dance more freely in the aisles, a few fans seemed to panic that they weren’t coming back for an encore, prompting them to rush to the front and ‘encourage’ their fellow gig-goers to cheer louder to get them back out.

Whether planned, or overcome with gratitude for their adoring audience, (Hint, you probably know the answer), the band returned to the stage to officially close the night with two of Dylan’s biggest and oldest numbers, “All Along the Watchtower”, and “Blowin’ in the Wind”. Spectacularly performed, Dylan didn’t mess around with any thanks or farewells, he just stood revelling in the applause before taking his final leave.

A legend among legends, Bob Dylan is unmissable, and the opening leg of his Australian tour has proved he has It, as much as he ever has.

Set List

1. Things Have Changed
2. She Belongs To Me
3. Beyond Here Lies Nothin’
4. Workingman’s Blues #2
5. Waiting For You
6. Duquesne Whistle
7. Pay In Blood
8. Tangled Up In Blue
9. Love Sick

(Intermission)

10. High Water (For Charley Patton)
11. Simple Twist Of Fate
12. Early Roman Kings
13. Forgetful Heart
14. Spirit On The Water
15. Scarlet Town
16. Soon After Midnight
17. Long And Wasted Years

(encore)
18. All Along The Watchtower
19. Blowin’ In The Wind

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