Bob Dylan at Wembley Arena
- Posted on April 17, 2007 12:59 PM
- 3 comments
Wembley Arena, Saturday 15th April 2007
By Katie Spain
I'd been looking forward to Bob Dylan for months - he's one of those artists you just have to see. No excuses, no "I can't afford it" rubbish. You owe it to your parents, past generations and to yourself. I'd even say you owe it to Bob, but the demand for tickets to his concerts is so strong, I doubt he'd notice your absence.
This, in a nutshell is why I didn't enjoy the concert as much as I thought I would. Wembley Arena is a great venue, but sometimes, just sometimes, you crave the type of intimacy you're never going to get with such a massive living legend. The days of chilled gigs packed full of close up Bob Dylan atmosphere are dead and buried. Luckily, ol' Bob isn't and for most, sharing a venue with thousands of others is a small price to pay for a date with a musical genius.
I'm sure the experience was mind-blowing for the people up the very front. The two youngsters singing and flirting in the seats in front of me seemed to have a ball too. By the looks of things, the magic of the evening may have provided enough 'mood' for their first kiss... let's face it; Dylan's music was responsible for a number of 'first times'.
For near-blind it was impossible to see anything but flashing lights and a mammoth drum kit. One lady in my row had the foresight to bring a pair of binoculars. I wish I'd done the same. Dylan spent the entire concert hunched over his guitar or keyboard, making the task of spotting him a little like 'Where's Wally'. There was however, no mistaking the voice. Rasping, mesmerising and dripping with 'cool', he took us on an understated journey through the 60s. His commentary was non-existent but his harmonica spoke for him. I guess words aren't always necessary - but I was left hungry for a glimmer of between-the-lines personality. For that you’ll have to tune in to his radio show.
If nothing, the concert split the true hard-core fans from the distant admirers. The mix of tunes weren't over-run with the well-known hits; for that experience you'll need to whack a 'Best Of' album in the CD player, close your eyes and enlist the help of your imagination. Like a Rolling Stone made an appearance but was so re-worked you’d be forgiven for missing it. The Dylan-obsessed knew every word of every song... while the rest of the audience wished they did.
Around me, the audience sat and soaked up the experience in what can only be described as awe. Next time, I won't go it alone, I'll take my mum... sometimes a concert isn't just made by the person you're seeing but by sharing age-old memories with the person beside you.
In the meantime, I’ll hope to stumble upon a one-off, impromptu gig in a small, dusty country pub. Who knows… miracles do happen.
- Katie Spain
Comments (3)
James
I went on the Monday....
I tend to agree but i braced myself for a "non greatest hits" and thats what it was... It was a nice chilled out show.. i didnt know any of the songs really but he had a good band behind him and the sound was warm and made you tap a toe... All in all - a good gig but if u go to see Dylan get schooled on his last 3/4 LPs because that's what you are going to hear..
Posted on April 18, 2007 4:07 PM
Ron
Dylan is the master of reinvention, so few of his audience ever see him as exactly the same artist twice in a lifetime. You were lucky to see him, Katie. Most of us in Oz never have, nor ever will, but he is a gift to modern music, whether live or on recordings. If ever the word "genius" had a home, its on that man.
Posted on April 25, 2007 6:52 AM
Michael Snell
I went to both nights 15th and 16th (i wanted to make 2007 a good year of seeing Bob) i saw him once in 2005 in London Brixton and then i saw him in 2006 in Cardiff (which was an amazing show) Anyway i prefered the 1st night "15th" as the set list was on fire! i myself was lucky and had a perfect view and saw Bob in a vision of awe. Katie i understand if you don't get the best view its harder to enjoy (BUT i am a hardcore fan so i am grateful to even be in the same room as the guy) but in Glasgow i was in front row and directly infront of him! so it just felt like i was in the spotlight hehehe. Well Katie i recommend you go see him a few more times, it will sink in nicely i promise.
Posted on March 12, 2008 7:56 PM
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