The Never Ending Tour is the popular name for Bob Dylan's endless touring schedule since June 7, 1988. The 2013 tour marked the Never Ending Tour's 25th Anniversary.^[1][2][3]

Background

On December 3, 2012, it was stated in Isis Magazine that Dylan will be touring Asia in the Spring of 2013 with negotiations for venues being finalised.^[4] It is rumoured that the tour has been moved to the summer of 2013 alongside dates in Australia including an appearance at the Splendour in the Grass festival in Byron Bay, New South Wales and a concert at the Sydney Opera House.^[5] However, on February 25, 2013, one concert in California, Pennsylvania was leaked at Ticketmaster.^[6]

Thirteen dates for the first leg, in North America, were announced at Dylan's official website on February 27, 2013, beginning on April 5 in Buffalo, New York and currently ending in Saint Augustine, Florida on May. More concerts in the South Eastern States were added a week later.^{[7][8][9][10]}

A summer tour of the US was announced in April 2013 called the Americanarama Festival of Music. The tour comprises 26 shows beginning on June 26 in West Palm Beach, Florida and ending on August 4 in Mountain View, California.^{[11][12][13][14]}

Dylan's official website announced a European tour taking place between October and November on June 13, 2013. The tour included nine concerts in the UK, three concerts each in Glasgow, Blackpool^[15] and London. The London concerts took place at the Royal Albert Hall, where Dylan hadn't performed since May 27, 1966.^{[16][17][18][19]}

Reception

The first leg of the tour was met with a very good reception by fans and critics alike. In Akron, Ohio one critic claimed "The performance enthralled the capacity crowd."^[20] In Ithaca Zachary Zahos said "Seeing him move about, listening to what he's doing and witnessing how he continues to make himself relevant at 71 years young – How's that for inspiration."^[21] In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania "Bob Dylan didn't utter a single word to the audience; he knew the music would tell them everything they needed to know."^[22] And in California, Pennsylvania "Bob Dylan played with renewed vigour and the centerpiece was a jangly and textured version of 'Visions of Johanna' that was a slice of heaven."^[23]

Opening acts

• Dawes: Spring 2013 (except April 27 & 28) ^[24]
• The Wild Feathers: April 27 & 28 2013
• Bob Weir: June 26 – 30
• Wilco: June 26 – August 4
• My Morning Jacket: June 26 – August 4 (except July 27)^[25]
• Richard Thompson Electric Trio: July 2 – July 15
• Ryan Bingham: July 18 – August 4
• Garth Hudson (with Wilco): July 21^[26]
• Beck: July 27

Set list

This set list is representative of the performance on November 28, 2013, in London, England. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.

Tour dates

Cancellations and rescheduled shows

Personnel

• Bob Dylan — Piano, Harmonica, Vocals
• Tony Garnier — Bass guitar
• Stu Kimball — Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
• George G. Receli — Drums, Percussion
• Duke Robillard — Lead guitar (April 5 – June 30)
• Charlie Sexton — Lead guitar (July 2–14, 26 & 27, 31, October 10 – present)
• Colin Linden — Lead guitar (July 15–24, 28, August 1–4)