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Magness Arena is no stranger to big acts. Two years ago it held eight Nobel Peace Prize winners (including the Dali Lama) and last year it was host to then-presidential candidate, Barack Obama. This past Wednesday was no different when legendary folk/rock artist Bob Dylan played a two hour set in Magness Arena with his accompanying band, and let’s just say that I was pleasantly surprised. 

With the release of his newest studio album, Together Through Life, Bob Dylan has been touring the country playing a mix of both new material and the classic hits we have come to know and love. After his show at the Rothbury Music Festival in Michigan, where his age was reflected in the quality of his performance, expectations were not so high.

As we grow older, so do our favorite artists and when one has had such an impact on society like Bob Dylan has, it makes the aging process a little more painful to watch. While Bob Dylan has never had the conventional “pretty” voice, it has a raspy quality that gives his singing a little extra something. As he has gotten older, however, his voice has lost some of its strength and his performances have become less and less understandable. Fortunately, this performance showed a different side to Bob Dylan.  

Dressed in all black and looking like the dashing young man he used to be, Dylan gave a performance that brimmed with energy and attitude. Although he rarely dons a guitar during his performances now, Dylan alternated between playing the piano on songs like “Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again,” and the harmonica on songs like fan-favorite, “All Along the Watchtower.” Members of his band, which has been touring with him for years, were all dressed in coordinating black outfits with matching black hats. While younger musicians may find the folk-rock god intimidating to play with, his band performs with a fluidity that displays talent and showcases Dylan’s abilities without hogging some of the spotlight.   

Dylan must be resting more or has re-gained some of the love he has for playing because he interacted with the audience more and played his songs with an energy not seen in some of his more recent performances. Although he played a two-hour set, ending the show at 9:30 p.m., he left the audience wanting more. Together Through Life is available on I-Tunes along with the rest of his discography.