The Bob Dylan Week In Review
Bob Dylan on X | Lap Steel on Stage | Tour-Update
Bob Dylan published a short but important message on X this week. He confirmed that the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour will continue in early Spring 2026. The announcement was unexpected and immediately set the tone for the week. It also reassured many fans that the current tour era will not end in Dublin but will move forward into a new chapter next year.
Lap Steel on Stage
A noticeable musical development took place as well. Since the show in Coventry, Bob Britt has been switching between his regular guitar and a lap steel guitar. This change introduces a different sonic character to the performances. Many fans have described the lap steel as adding a broader and more atmospheric layer, which fits well with the current arrangements.
Review of the Tour Week: Swansea, Coventry, Leeds
Bob and the band performed in Swansea, Coventry and Leeds. Audience reports consistently describe a high level of quality and continued improvement. The shows appear to gain in presence, confidence and clarity. Dylan’s phrasing remains focused and expressive, and the band continues to refine its dynamic control. A detailed fan review from the week highlighted how strong the performances have become as the tour progresses.
Read Adam Selzer's review about Coventry here.
Preview of the Upcoming Week: Glasgow, Belfast, Killarney
Tonight the tour arrives in Glasgow for two shows. Afterwards Dylan and band travel to Belfast for another two shows and continue to Killarney on Sunday. With the final run toward Dublin now underway, there is a growing sense of anticipation. The new announcement about Spring 2026 adds an extra dimension to the remaining dates. What once appeared to be the final phase of the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour is now understood as a transition rather than a conclusion.
Video Highlights
High quality video recordings from recent shows have appeared online, including strong performances of Woolhall and The Joker and the Thief. These clips show the current state of the band with notable clarity and underline how focused and consistent this part of the tour has become.
Check out footage from most of the Leeds show here!
Woolhal also posted some snippets from the last shows, you can check it out on his YouTube channel!
For me, Bob’s announcement of a Spring tour was 💥!!! Thank you, Bob 🥹🫶
Dylan the poet/artist carries us into 2026 - ending 2025 “to see a world in a grain of sand”. Enjoyed the video in this post and look forward to live performance this coming week. 🎶🎶🎶