Legendary musician Bob Dylan is coming to Great Britain later this year for his first UK performances since he co-headlined London's BST Hyde Park alongside Neil Young in 2019. However, in a controversial move, fans won't be allowed to video the performance.
Anyone in the audience will be required to lock their phones in a Yondr bag for the duration of the performance. This will prevent footage of the gig from being distributed on social media.
The iconic singer has sold over 125 million records worldwide, including hugely recognisable tunes like "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", "Blowin' in the Wind", "Like a Rolling Stone", and "The Times They Are A-Changin'."
Read more: Sir Tom Jones gives health update after cancelling show last minute and claims he had 'collapsed'
"Rough and Rowdy Ways" – Dylan's 39th studio album – was released in June 2020. Among his other ventures, Bob Dylan now sells his own brand of "Heaven's Door" whiskey worldwide, as well as his art and book collections.
How do Yondr bags work?
Concertgoers will be made to place their back into a Yondr back when entering the gig. The Yondr website states: "Yondr uses a patented system to create phone-free spaces for artists, educators, organisations and individuals."
It goes on to say: "Each phone is placed into a Yondr Pouch that locks when it is closed. Guests flow in and out of the designated phone-free space – as guests enter, secure their phone in a pouch and unlock their pouch as they exit."
Views from social media
Dylan's decision split social media users, with some coming out in support of the move and others vehemently protesting. @luciella27397 tweeted: "Absolutely well done for banning phones from your gigs. This should be a universal rule!"
However, @ElaineJackson12 took a different view, tweeting: "Nanny state. It's up to those people, they paid for the ticket, who are you to tell them what they should be doing?"
@popasart tweeted, "I agree with the principle of not using mobile phones and switching them off during a performance. They are surely a distraction for the performers and for the audience. In practical terms, I think it's a bit ridiculous to enforce it, if that is the intention."
When is Bob Dylan touring the UK?
Available via Ticketmaster, Bob Dylan's "Rough and Rowdy Ways" tour is coming to the UK in October. The currently announced list of dates includes:
- 19 OCT 2022 London, The London Palladium (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 20 OCT 2022 London, The London Palladium (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 23 OCT 2022 London, The London Palladium (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 24 OCT 2022 London, The London Palladium (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 26 OCT 2022 Cardiff, UK Motorpoint Arena (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 27 OCT 2022 Hull, Bonus Arena (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 28 OCT 2022 Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 30 OCT 2022 Glasgow, SEC Armadillo (ON SALE 7/15/22)
- 31 OCT 2022 Glasgow, SEC Armadillo
READ NEXT:
- Bryan Adams played a Cardiff gig and was totally obsessed with the city's beautiful castle
- Pete Tong at Cardiff Castle review: Sunset set brought Ibiza vibes to Welsh capital
- Primal Scream and Lewis Capaldi Cardiff Bay gigs move to Cardiff Castle and Simply Red cancelled
- Rammstein in Cardiff review: German shock rockers bring the roof down at Principality Stadium
