I like your philosophical take on Bob’s recent annoying behavior of hiding on stage. But as neatly as the ideas fit, I still think the most likely explanation for it is less lofty and conceptual, but rather more practical and personal.
Dylan is famously hostile to letting attendees photograph or film him in concert. During his own tours, he’s escalated in recent years from aggressive policing by security to stop and even eject would-be photo-snatchers to locking up everyone’s iPhones in pouches during the shows.
But the Outlaw tour is a Willie Nelson enterprise that operates by Willie’s rules, which means cellphones and small cameras are allowed in and permitted to be used.
So Dylan has come up with a different way to inhibit photography during his own sets by making any attempts futile.
While he likely has no objection otherwise to the audience seeing him, it doesn’t bother him enough or at all that this means they can’t.
In fact, as an old curmudgeon - who was once a young curmudgeon at times - he’s likely taking a bit of perverse pleasure in the whole audience having to suffer not being able to see him for the sins of those who refuse to abstain from photograhing and filming him.
I appreciate this thoughtful post, especially the summing up:
"For fans willing to adjust their expectations, Bob offers a different kind of reward: a reminder that art is not always about visibility, but about listening."
Critics have made a career out of accusing me of having a career of confounding expectations. Really? Because that’s all I do. That’s how I think about it. Confounding expectations.
“What do you do for a living, man?” “Oh, I confound expectations.”
Maybe the older among us understand that Bob is simply telling us he won’t be around forever but wants us to listen to his unforgettable songs, hear the music and above all remember the words. He’s said all we need to know, especially now here in Desolation Row
Thank you for putting pen to paper with your thoughts, I am no scholar but really enjoy the work of those more gifted in expression, I agree with everyone and after all these years I am at peace with the various foibles or peccadillos of The Master and when you toil in the same field as Mrs Casper and I then we always find a workaround, all the time being conscious of Mr Dylan’s personal space. If he needs this environment to perform at his best , then so be it . I’m sure it will be ‘ ding,ding , all change’ in Europe 2026
This is an excellent take. Sure, on one level it’s about the photos and videos, but I think you’ve captured a lot of truth about his artistic outlook. It’s about the music. I especially like the idea of the vanishing persona. He’s getting set to be outa here and that’s not morbid, it’s just real. He clearly believes in something more behind the veil of this earthly life. (Love the stoic ideas, but you can’t think of Bob realistically if you don’t recognize his enduring Christian faith.) And by the way, of course he’s read Robert Greene; Warmuth has shown this convincingly. Bob put lines from The 48 Laws of Power in his songs. See Warmuth’s work for the whole story.
The man is 83 years old. Like many folks in their 80s they have balance and eyesight issues. I'd like nothing more than to see him performing front and center and riffing with the band but I'm pretty sure those days are behind him. Enjoy what he still has to offer.
This explanation sounds like somebody’s joke. If an artist has indifference to the audience, why spend years of one’s life on the road performing? I have to wonder what compels the audience to show up? We are social animals and each one’s interaction with the audience as well as the performer is a big part of why we go to concerts. However, I do believe a poet exists on the outside looking in and pays a high price for the gift he gives to the world.
Interesting observations. There may well be philosophical or existential considerations behind this recent decision to hide himself on stage. There might also be psychological explanations, some incident or inner turmoil that caused him to revert suddenly to the pathological aversion to being seen in plain sight that manifested decades ago, when he'd appear on stage in a hat and a hood, his face barely visible. We know that was a particularly troubled time in his life; perhaps something has brought that turbulent, painful mindset upon him again.
I believe you hit the nail on the head with your summary. I read once that he was asked why he had the white paint on his face in concert, we can’t see your face. His answer… I don't want you to see my face, I want you to hear the music.
This was a very interesting read. I saw Bob in Buffalo at this year’s Outlaw, which was just before he started adding things like the lights on poles around his piano (he just had one tree). Still, my view wasn’t great, but I knew it might not be and I was more than happy to hear him and the band and just be where he was for a while. I think anyone who’s followed his career can’t be too surprised that it’s come to this. Perhaps this will be his last Outlaw, and he’ll be a bit more visible on his own tour, where he can control things better. At any rate, when I think of his age, and how much he tours, all those hours on the road, I think we should be grateful for whatever he chooses to share.
Frankly, the more I read about this the more i realize how silly it is. This was my only opportunity to see him and since age and disability prevents any of this from being easy for me, it just may be my last live concert. I was simply disappointed.
Thank you for these very plausible views. There’s an ache in my heart thinking of all that Bob could be feeling at this time. I deeply appreciate what you have written here 🫶
I like your philosophical take on Bob’s recent annoying behavior of hiding on stage. But as neatly as the ideas fit, I still think the most likely explanation for it is less lofty and conceptual, but rather more practical and personal.
Dylan is famously hostile to letting attendees photograph or film him in concert. During his own tours, he’s escalated in recent years from aggressive policing by security to stop and even eject would-be photo-snatchers to locking up everyone’s iPhones in pouches during the shows.
But the Outlaw tour is a Willie Nelson enterprise that operates by Willie’s rules, which means cellphones and small cameras are allowed in and permitted to be used.
So Dylan has come up with a different way to inhibit photography during his own sets by making any attempts futile.
While he likely has no objection otherwise to the audience seeing him, it doesn’t bother him enough or at all that this means they can’t.
In fact, as an old curmudgeon - who was once a young curmudgeon at times - he’s likely taking a bit of perverse pleasure in the whole audience having to suffer not being able to see him for the sins of those who refuse to abstain from photograhing and filming him.
I appreciate this thoughtful post, especially the summing up:
"For fans willing to adjust their expectations, Bob offers a different kind of reward: a reminder that art is not always about visibility, but about listening."
Critics have made a career out of accusing me of having a career of confounding expectations. Really? Because that’s all I do. That’s how I think about it. Confounding expectations.
“What do you do for a living, man?” “Oh, I confound expectations.”
—Bob Dylan’s lovely 2015 Musicares acceptance speech
Well, I try my best to be just like I am
But everybody wants you to be just like them
They say, "Sing while you slave" and I just get bored
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
—Maggie’s Farm
Maybe the older among us understand that Bob is simply telling us he won’t be around forever but wants us to listen to his unforgettable songs, hear the music and above all remember the words. He’s said all we need to know, especially now here in Desolation Row
Thank you for putting pen to paper with your thoughts, I am no scholar but really enjoy the work of those more gifted in expression, I agree with everyone and after all these years I am at peace with the various foibles or peccadillos of The Master and when you toil in the same field as Mrs Casper and I then we always find a workaround, all the time being conscious of Mr Dylan’s personal space. If he needs this environment to perform at his best , then so be it . I’m sure it will be ‘ ding,ding , all change’ in Europe 2026
This is an excellent take. Sure, on one level it’s about the photos and videos, but I think you’ve captured a lot of truth about his artistic outlook. It’s about the music. I especially like the idea of the vanishing persona. He’s getting set to be outa here and that’s not morbid, it’s just real. He clearly believes in something more behind the veil of this earthly life. (Love the stoic ideas, but you can’t think of Bob realistically if you don’t recognize his enduring Christian faith.) And by the way, of course he’s read Robert Greene; Warmuth has shown this convincingly. Bob put lines from The 48 Laws of Power in his songs. See Warmuth’s work for the whole story.
Thanks for the comment and the hint! This makes total sense to me and reminds me of this video from almost 1 years ago from Robert: https://youtu.be/rdJQcJ-Bwjg?si=kUNCKa4KoFs_K4I_
Thanks, and I had it wrong. The quotes are in Chronicles.
The man is 83 years old. Like many folks in their 80s they have balance and eyesight issues. I'd like nothing more than to see him performing front and center and riffing with the band but I'm pretty sure those days are behind him. Enjoy what he still has to offer.
This explanation sounds like somebody’s joke. If an artist has indifference to the audience, why spend years of one’s life on the road performing? I have to wonder what compels the audience to show up? We are social animals and each one’s interaction with the audience as well as the performer is a big part of why we go to concerts. However, I do believe a poet exists on the outside looking in and pays a high price for the gift he gives to the world.
Interesting observations. There may well be philosophical or existential considerations behind this recent decision to hide himself on stage. There might also be psychological explanations, some incident or inner turmoil that caused him to revert suddenly to the pathological aversion to being seen in plain sight that manifested decades ago, when he'd appear on stage in a hat and a hood, his face barely visible. We know that was a particularly troubled time in his life; perhaps something has brought that turbulent, painful mindset upon him again.
I believe you hit the nail on the head with your summary. I read once that he was asked why he had the white paint on his face in concert, we can’t see your face. His answer… I don't want you to see my face, I want you to hear the music.
There’s your answer.
This was a very interesting read. I saw Bob in Buffalo at this year’s Outlaw, which was just before he started adding things like the lights on poles around his piano (he just had one tree). Still, my view wasn’t great, but I knew it might not be and I was more than happy to hear him and the band and just be where he was for a while. I think anyone who’s followed his career can’t be too surprised that it’s come to this. Perhaps this will be his last Outlaw, and he’ll be a bit more visible on his own tour, where he can control things better. At any rate, when I think of his age, and how much he tours, all those hours on the road, I think we should be grateful for whatever he chooses to share.
Frankly, the more I read about this the more i realize how silly it is. This was my only opportunity to see him and since age and disability prevents any of this from being easy for me, it just may be my last live concert. I was simply disappointed.
I find this idea compelling and consistent with all we
think we know about him.
This is a great piece!!
Thank you for these very plausible views. There’s an ache in my heart thinking of all that Bob could be feeling at this time. I deeply appreciate what you have written here 🫶
Rainy weather and chilly air may have a good reason for bundling up. It’s Fall season here on the Northeast Coast!