Bob Dylan at a show earlier in the year.
Camera IconBob Dylan at a show earlier in the year. Credit: Supplied/Christopher Polk

Bob Dylan Perth review: first show in Australia – sharp but no spectacle at Perth Arena

Angie Raphael, AAPEastern Reporter

BOB Dylan’s eloquent lyricism may have earned him a Nobel Prize in literature but he had nothing to say to his fans as he began his Australian tour in Perth.

Instead, the famed musician let his meaningful songs do all the talking during his almost two-hour concert at Perth Arena on Wednesday night.

Dylan’s excellent band was not even introduced and the show overall lacked any spectacle at all.

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There wasn’t even a screen for fans at the back of the venue to see him clearly.

But the 77-year-old has never been much of a showman compared to rock stars like Mick Jagger or Bruce Springsteen.

It has always been about the powerful message of Dylan’s lyrics, many of which remain as relevant today as they were when he penned them decades ago.

Some fans were probably disappointed that a few of his biggest hits did not make the setlist.

But there were some favourites including Blowin’ In The Wind, It Ain’t Me Babe, Simple Twist of Fate, Highway 61 Revisited and Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright.

Dylan barely sold out half the arena but it hardly seemed to matter as the audience cheered at the end of each song.

They were especially vocal when Dylan played his harmonica, but he spent most of his time behind the piano.

The Pulitzer Prize winner last toured Australia in 2014.

Given his age, and the fact that some of his contemporaries are embarking on farewell tours, this may well be the final time Australian fans will have a chance to see him perform live.

But for now, Dylan clearly still enjoys playing music in front of thousands of fans.

* Dylan will also visit Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Brisbane.