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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2007 > September > 16 > Entry
ACL: Bob Dylan early scene report
A dark sea of listeners swarmed the AT&T stage in Zilker Park on Sunday, as Bob Dylan opened his set with “Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35.” Right away, crowds pushed forward because there were no zoom shots on the big screens, just group pictures, while the band sounded muddy from a distance. Nevertheless, a gravel-voiced Dylan, dressed in black and topped with a cowboy hat, sang “everybody must get stoned” to a delirious response.
Earlier in the day, rock-ribbed Dylan fans raced to secure the best spots by the stage as soon as the gates opened. One pregnant woman wore a T-shirt that read “Baby’s First Dylan Show.” Still, plenty of people poured out of the park only 30 minutes into the set, as they often do during the festival’s final acts, trying to beat the outgoing traffic.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: ACL Festival
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By Robert Zimmerman
September 16, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
What the heck was up with the video — no close up shots? That clearly wasn’t just technical difficulties. It had to be something contractual. Would have been nice to know before-hand that we wouldn’t be able to see him.
By Barbara Lloyd
September 17, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Gravel voiced? How about hoarse, or no voice? No voice, no visual, no good! You can’t give us unrecognizable instrumental versions of your poetry and expect us to keep coming!
By Katie
September 17, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
I only stayed for 30 minutes of the show, but not once did he address the crowd or say hello.Plus, there was nobody in the vip stage area. He must have not wanted ANYONE to see him. Which is too bad, because I was looking forward to a show with depth and passion. But perhaps that was his style. Besides that, it was a bit of a thrill to see such a legend.
By ArsenicJulep
September 17, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Well, you know that Dylan’s not only notoriously shy, but also arrogant and demanding—and not just recently, either, for all those people who say “well, he’s earned it.” If you’ve ever seen the “Don’t Look Back” documentary, he comes across as a smug and self-absorbed even then. Back in ‘85 when he was part of “We Are the World,” even though he’d been performing for 20+ years, he was extremely reluctant to sing his part, and Bette Midler, of all people, had to reassure him and talk him into doing it. I also remember reading a story a year or so ago about how staff and performers at an awards show were directed by Dylan’s people “not to look at the artist.” Hey, just listen to his lyrics. It may be a refreshing break from the usual cliched gushy love song, but “It Ain’t Me, Babe” pretty much says it all.
By Clint
September 18, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
I thought Dylan was amazing and the band was really rocking! I danced through the whole set and from where i was standing his songs were very recognizable. He is not the young man he once was but the man certainly knows how to put on a show. He’s a “song and dance man” as he himself stated if only in jest so long ago and Dylan and his band were great.
By DJ
September 18, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
He really ruined ACL this year. No close ups… No voice… I feel ripped off. What a waste. Dont make excuses. He needs to retire.
By Phillip
September 19, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
I didn’t leave early to beat traffic. I left because it sucked! You couldn’t see Dylan or understand what the F he was saying! What happened to having a happening band play, like when ACL had ColdPlay as the final act? Even moving The Killers or Kaiser Chiefs to Sunday night would have been a better fit. This year’s final act was a disappointment to say the least.