Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson Charm Hollywood Bowl With Favorites, Deep Cuts at Outlaw Music Festival Tour Stop

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On Friday night, I found myself immersed in an oasis of Americana and country at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, where music icons Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson graced us with the return of their Outlaw Music Festival for a second consecutive year. What an unforgettable experience it was!

As twilight approached, Dylan stepped forward with the stage illuminating like a moody western show, highlighting his distinctive piano. Accompanied by his band who were attired in somber black, reminiscent of outlaws or undertakers, they launched into a confident rendition of “Things Have Changed.

The scene was straightforwardly designed: A tranquil mountain lake image, reminiscent of an upscale water bottle label, harmoniously complemented the nearby Hollywood Hills backdrop, while the audience donned cowboy hats adorned with sparkling rhinestones.

On a Friday night, Sierra Hull and Billy Strings served as the opening acts for Dylan and Nelson. For the upcoming Outlaw Fest 2025 tour, performers like Sheryl Crow, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, and Nathaniel Rateliff will take turns appearing. Previous editions of the Outlaw Fest have featured Neil Young, Brandi Carlile, and Chris Stapleton.

At the age of 83, Dylan remains assertive with his distinctive traits. His piano was given an unconventional prominence in the mix, showcasing both the powerful rhythm and the occasional missed notes. The crowd was understanding, many of whom might have been teenagers when Dylan first released his albums.

As a die-hard fan, I must say that Dylan’s performance was anything but predictable this time around. On the opening nights of this tour, he took a surprising turn by revamping material from his recent “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour. Instead, we were treated to deep cuts, first-time covers, and entirely new takes on classic songs. For some superfans, it might have felt like a repeat of the previous night’s show in Chula Vista, but for many others, including those who had only seen him last year during “A Complete Unknown,” it was a delightful deviation from what we’ve come to expect after decades of touring. The transformation in his live sound is truly something to behold!

Songs such as “Simple Twist of Fate,” “Desolation Row,” and “To Ramona” were reimagined with rhythmic shifts and Dylan’s honky-tonk piano playing a part. The transformation of “All Along the Watchtower” was daring, giving it a Sade-like quality – something I never thought I’d describe. “Blind Willie McTell” took on a style reminiscent of Dire Straits’ hairdo. Even the title track from the album once deemed one of Dylan’s lesser works, “Under the Red Sky,” lost its early ’90s polish and was given room to sound more expansive and beautiful.

Dylan’s additional treasures such as “Forgetful Heart,” “Love Sick,” and “Early Roman Kings” stayed fairly close to their original versions, yet he introduced fresh songs for this tour, including “Axe and the Wind” by George “Wild Child” Butler, “I’ll Make It All Up to You” by Charlie Rich, and “Share Your Love With Me” by Alfred Braggs and Deadric Malone.

In a characteristic manner reminiscent of Dylan, he kept his words minimal during the breaks between songs, even cracking a humorous moment by asking an audience member about their snack. Initially, the speakers at the Bowl remained off for several tunes, as though Dylan preferred to stay out of sight. However, when they eventually turned on for some songs, eliciting applause from the crowd, they displayed a broad view, ensuring that the enigmatic figure remained mostly concealed.

Each time Dylan took hold of his harmonica, the audience would erupt in cheers. The loudest acclaim was saved for the finale, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” which he performed in a fresh, jazzy style with the piano and harmonica.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this:

“If Dylan was the twilight orator on Friday, Nelson was the warm campfire glow. At 92, he’s as authentically American as they come, our living symbol of the bald eagle. Having witnessed him perform in the tenth year of what’s now known as the most cherished festival of outlaw music, it’s tough to disagree with that assessment.

Under the label “Willie Nelson & Family,” the stage shimmered with a warm red and orange hue, a large American flag looming behind them as a backdrop. Willie Nelson, perched with his reliable, well-worn acoustic guitar Trigger, was flanked by his actual family members. Kicking off with “Whiskey River,” the crowd at the Bowl went wild. Nelson delivered one hit after another, without any gimmicks, performing each timeless classic with evident joy and precision.

Among the tunes in his repertoire were songs he either penned or became famous for alongside companions: “Workin’ Man Blues” (Merle Haggard), “Good Hearted Woman” (Waylon Jennings), and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (Kris Kristofferson). Unlike Dylan, Nelson would often engage with the audience, offering anecdotes and introductions to songs, as well as reminiscing about old friends.

Notable moments were a lively performance of “Bloody Mary Morning,” which had the crowd excited about its LA reference, a mass sing-along to “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” and heartwarmingly humorous versions of “(Die When I’m High) Halfway to Heaven” and “Everything is Bullshit.” The latter was particularly amusing as Micah Nelson, sounding remarkably like his father, added cat meows while Willie Nelson scatted “bullshit” throughout the choruses, giving off a mischievous grandpa vibe.

Around 10 p.m., Nelson showed no signs of fatigue. He grinned, bobbed his head, and sang as if every lyric held deep meaning. The night concluded with many members of the Outlaw Fest team rejoining the stage (with Dylan possibly dozing off), collaborating with Nelson for an emotional finale. They performed timeless classics “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” and “I’ll Fly Away” to wrap up the evening.

After saying goodbyes, Nelson departed to the right side of the stage while the remaining group played “I Saw the Light” by Hank Williams, which served as a heartfelt farewell tune.

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2025-05-17 23:54