photo: Christof Graf
Once Upon a time … Bob Dylan live in Bangor/ Maine
09/05/25 – Bangor, Maine – Maine Savings Amphitheater
Es war einmal in Bangor/ Maine. Bob Dylan war beim dritten Leg von Willie Nelsons „10th Anniversary Outlaw-Festival“ dabei. Die Stadt ist u.a. bekannt dafür, dass man dort Stephen Kings House besichtigen kann, wenn auch nur von außen. Der 5. September 2025 war ein kühler, windiger und teils verregneter Freitag.
Bevor Willie Nelson den Abend als musikalisches Highlight beendete, spielte Dylan ein Set von ca. 75 Minuten und 17 Songs. Das Publikum im fast ausverkauften „Maine Savings Amphitheater“ war von Dylans Auftritt etwas enttäuscht. Warum? Dylan versteckte sich quasi hinter seinem Piano, trug eine Regenjacke, Schal und einen Hoodie. Er stand kaum auf und man hatte kaum eine Chance ihn zu sehen. Hin und wieder erhob er die Hand und winkte kurz ins Publikum. Das Konzert war trotz herbstlicher Temperaturen. Der Opener „Masters Of War“ lies jedoch schnell erkennen: Bob Dylan war musikalisch in guter Stimmung und der Gig wurde zu einem seiner besten auf der 2025er Outlaw – Festival-Tour. Nur zu sehen bekam man ihn so gut wie nicht. Die kleinen leuchtenden Tannenbäumchen auf dem Piano erschwerten zu dem die Sicht auf eine Legende, die sich sichtlich und zunehmend ihrer optischen Wahrnehmung entzieht.
Once upon a time in Bangor, Maine. Bob Dylan was present at the third leg of Willie Nelson’s „10th Anniversary Outlaw Festival“. The city is known for the fact that you can visit Stephen King’s House there, even if only from the outside. September 5, 2025 was a cool, windy and partly rainy Friday.
Before Willie Nelson ended the evening as a musical highlight, Dylan played a set of about 75 minutes and 17 songs. The audience in the almost sold-out „Maine Savings Amphitheater“ was a bit disappointed by Dylan’s performance. Why? Dylan hid behind his piano, wearing a rain jacket, scarf and hoodie. He hardly got up and you hardly had a chance to see him. Every now and then he raised his hand and waved briefly to the audience. The concert was despite autumnal temperatures. However, the opener „Masters Of War“ quickly made it clear: Bob Dylan was musically in a good mood and the gig became one of his best on the 2025 Outlaw festival tour. But you hardly got to see him. The small glowing fir trees on the piano also made it difficult to see a legend that visibly and increasingly eludes its visual perception.
Setlist:
| 1. | Masters Of War (Bob on piano) |
| 2. | I Can Tell (song by Samuel Smith) (Bob on piano) |
| 3. | Forgetful Heart (Bob on piano) |
| 4. | Axe and the Wind (song by George „Wild Child“ Butler) (Bob on piano) |
| 5. | To Ramona (Bob on piano) |
| 6. | Gotta Serve Somebody (Bob on piano) |
| 7. | Under The Red Sky (Bob on piano) |
| 8. | I’ll Make It All Up To You (song by Charlie Rich) (Bob on piano) |
| 9. | All Along The Watchtower (Bob on piano) |
| 10. | ‚Til I Fell In Love With You (Bob on piano) |
| 11. | Desolation Row (Bob on piano) |
| 12. | Love Sick (Bob on piano) |
| 13. | Share Your Love With Me (song by Alfred Braggs and Deadric Malone) (Bob on piano) |
| 14. | Blind Willie McTell (Bob on piano) |
| 15. | Soon After Midnight (Bob on piano) |
| 16. | Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on piano) |
| 17. | Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Bob on piano) |
Band:
Bob Dylan – piano, harp
Tony Garnier – electric and standup bass
Anton Fig – drums
Bob Britt – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Doug Lancio – acoustic guitar, electric guitar