| Reviews Cologne, Germany LANXESS Arena November 3, 2025 |
Review by Richard Gebhardt
Richard Gebhardt, 4.11.2025
Bob Dylan, Cologne (2025/11/3)
At 8 p.m., the curtain opens. Mr Dylan is never late for work. His magnificent band
warms up, while Dylan himself hides on stage behind his piano, which, amusingly,
is a baby harp piano - but the size serves its purpose fine. Dylan only appears to
the audience after the final chord. One of the greatest rock performers of the
1970s has let his music do the talking for years. The audience is barred from using
mobile phones in Cologne's Lanxess Arena. People are to truly experience the moment,
immediate documentation would just get in the way. The band warms up and the master
sings 'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight'. As they play the classic 'It Ain't Me Babe' next,
it seems initially as though Bob & his band were playing an instrumental version.
But then the lyrics kick in, explaining that he, who swore his love in the previous
song, is not the right one.
But to the Cologne audience, there can be no doubt he still is. "Rough and Rowdy
Ways" is already one of the great albums of the decade, as this evening proves.
Dylan plays almost every song of the not so new record. And every now and then, a
timeless classic will be interspersed. The groovy and light-footed'When I Paint My
Masterpiece' from 1971 is one of the songs on the set list to also delight
nostalgics. And since the evening's chronicler couldn't resist the temptation to
check the set list before the concert, he immediately recognizes 'Desolation Row'.
But a few audience members expecting a best-of gig had by then left the hall
already. (In general, there is a little unrest in the seats, with people wandering
towards the exit and awkwardly pushing their way through the rows of chairs during
the concert. Perhaps many of us old rockers dehydrate more quickly and need a drink
to get through the show. Or they find it difficult to sit still...)
Dylan manages to transform the event hall into a club again tonight, complete with
dimmed spotlights on stage and tinkling piano. The sound is surprisingly good in
the rather formidable arena, which is only a few hundred metres distance from the
Rhine. The slight but huge shadow of the drums falls on the big curtain as the
sounds travel through the arena. And Dylan sings 'It's All Over Now Baby Blue,' one
of the highlights of the evening in its soulful and imploring current version,
which emphasises every word and every decisive tone. There are hundreds of
outstanding cover versions of Dylan songs, but he himself has always been his best
interpreter. What many outside the large Dylan community will never understand is
that he has one of the most versatile voices in rock history. A voice trained in
blues, country and folk. And Tony, Anton, Bob and Dough, the members of his band,
have mastered all these genres; they are wonderfully attuned to each other on
guitar, bass and drums. As has often been the case in recent years, 'Every Grain
Of Sand' is the final song of the concert. Many in the audience refuse to accept
that the evening is over. Well, "Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast", and
that's true tonight as well. And how often did the feeling catch up with us on the
way home, that this could be the last time? But we'll be back for the next concerts,
because even 84-year-old Dylan doesn't age on stage. And why shouldn't he take his
friend Willie Nelson as his role model? Both "Outlaws" still inspire their fan base.
The Cologne audience thanks him with a standing ovation in the almost sold-out
arena, Dylan and the band return to the stage for a second curtain call. Dylan looks
serious and determined at this moment - even with this gesture, he can thank the
audience without saying a word. The curtain falls too soon in Cologne, but hopefully
the tour will continue for a long time to come.
Review by Bruno Tresch
Oberjoyed to have been there in Cologne. A focused and passionate
performance from Baby Tonight to Every Grain of Sand. Standouts for me:
When I Paint My Masterpiece, My Own Version of You, Key West and Baby
Blue. After hearing Helsinki, I was rather put off. But then I found
Stockholm convincing and was full of hope and bright anticipation for
Cologne. My hopes were completely fulfilled. It's exhilarating to see
one of these shows. It couldn't be said better than Lars Joergensen in
his Copenhagen review: Dylan's singing is vulnerable, nasal, rough,
strong and clean.
Bruno Tresch
Review by Bernhard Roth
I took the opportunity to drive from home Stuttgart to Cologne
and spent the weekend there, before heading to the show on Monday evening.
It was the #34 Bob show since Nuremberg 1978.
Fortunately a nice day, no rain, easy public transport from the hotel to the
venue. Having listened to one or two previous shows I knew what to expect
and so it occured. Basically no change in the set list.
The highlight for me was "When I paint my Masterpiece" with a very refreshing
arrangement. Next, of course, "Desolation Row" which always makes me glad when
I hear it in concert.
Overall, the acoustic was ok for such a big sports arena,
although sometimes there was some slight disturbung echo from the far away
seats. Hoping to see him next year again in Germany.
Bernhard Roth
Comments by Steve
My first concert where I couldn't see Bob. Row seven in the middle, great
seats, and the joker doesn't stand up. Unfortunately, I couldn't really
get used to it during the evening, even though the concert was great
musically. Strong voice, great acoustics, even though the arena is
actually much too big for this kind of music. I could do without "To Be
Alone with You," and I get the impression Bob could too, since he had
trouble with the lyrics. I'm really looking forward to the concerts in
Amsterdam. Steve
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