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Arts & Culture
28 January 2025

Bob Dylan Announces 2025 Tour Dates Across Midwest

The legendary musician returns to the stage with four small-town performances this spring.

Bob Dylan has announced his initial batch of 2025 tour dates, marking the continuation of his acclaimed Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour. Kicking off on March 25th at the Tulsa Theater in Oklahoma, the tour will also make stops in Wichita, Kansas; Mankato, Minnesota; and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ticket sales will begin on January 31st for the later shows, with the Minnesota stop being particularly notable since it’s at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Event Center, set to welcome back Dylan after decades.

At 83, Bob Dylan remains one of music's most enduring figures, opting for performances in smaller towns over major city shows. According to Rolling Stone, the Mankato venue is often referred to as one of the “awesomely remote” locations on the tour, which aligns with his history of surprising concert choices. This will be the first Green Bay appearance for Dylan in 24 years, making it a highly anticipated event for local fans.

The tour follows the recent release of the biopic A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet as the young Dylan. This film, which has garnered significant acclaim, received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Chalamet. Dylan himself expressed approval of the film, stating, “There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!).” He elaborated on Chalamet’s portrayal, claiming, “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me.”

For concert-goers, it’s unclear whether Dylan will continue the trend of focusing on songs from his 2020 album, Rough and Rowdy Ways, or if he’ll mix his setlist with classics. Last summer, during the Outlaw Music Festival alongside Willie Nelson, Dylan's setlist saw significant changes, which excited long-time fans. The current tour offers speculation on whether Dylan will revert to his acoustic roots or present new interpretations of his repertoire.

Tickets for these shows will be available through various platforms, with prices ranging depending on venue and seat selection. The last time Dylan played the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Event Center was more than two decades ago, making this return especially impactful for many attendees.

Dylan's Never Ending Tour has been running since 1988, featuring over 3,000 performances internationally. Fans of his music know to expect the unexpected at his shows, with prior performances rarely replicable night-to-night. Dylan's concerts are known for their dynamic setlists, rich with deep cuts from his vast catalog.

The excitement surrounding the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour is palpable, especially as it coincides with the release of A Complete Unknown. This film details Dylan’s rise to prominence during the 1960s and gives fresh insight for new fans, and with these upcoming concerts, Dylan is set to add to his already storied legacy. If the biopic’s success can invigorate both new and old fans, the Tulsa show is bound to be buzzing with anticipation.

On social media, Dylan has encouraged fans to engage with the film, even recommending reading Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric! for more background on his tumultuous early years. It’s evident Dylan remains invested not just in performing, but also in how his legacy is perceived.

Overall, the 2025 tour promises to blend nostalgia with new energy as it brings Bob Dylan back to the stage. Concerts on March 25, March 29, April 4, and April 6 signal not just another chapter of his Never Ending Tour, but also the connection between his past work and its current appreciation through multimedia.

With fervent anticipation, fans are gearing up to witness the iconic musician, excitedly awaiting the first notes of the performance. With aspirations high and expectations ripe, Bob Dylan’s concerts always offer layers of experience—rich musical landscapes set against the backdrop of his storied career.