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Key developments
Julian Lage returns after five Dylan shows
Associated Press reported that guitarist Julian Lage rejoined Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour on July 6 at Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee, Minnesota, after missing five shows. Lage had last appeared June 26 at Sandia Casino in Albuquerque before a New York event conflict, while Joel Paterson had filled the guitar role beginning June 29 in Austin. Rolling Stone Australia’s Neil Griffiths also reported Lage’s return and noted Paterson remained involved, making Shakopee the first show where Paterson shared guitar work with another player.
Why it matters
The return adds another turn to a rapidly changing summer tour band after Doug Lancio’s earlier exit and Bob Britt’s reported departure.
Sources & driving stories
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Associated Press coverageROLLING STONE AUSTRALIA · Neil Griffiths
Rolling Stone Australia coverageDylan plays new Mystic Lake Amphitheater
Inforum’s Jared Kaufman reviewed Dylan’s July 6 performance at the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee, Minnesota, describing a 16-song show centered on Rough and Rowdy Ways and reshaped older material. Dylan did not speak between songs, led a four-piece backing band, and closed with “I Shall Be Released.” Kaufman highlighted a newly styled “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” recast with swing and Spanish-rumba elements.
Why it matters
The show provides fresh evidence of Dylan’s current live approach: stable set architecture, minimal audience interaction, and continued rearrangement of older songs.
Sources & driving stories
INFORUM · Jared Kaufman
Inforum coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Watchtower remains off recent sets
Associated Press and Rolling Stone Australia both noted Dylan’s setlist has stayed broadly steady while “All Along the Watchtower” was recently dropped and “I Shall Be Released” has often served as closer.
WORTH NOTING
Dylan-Dead 1986 tour reassessed
Jesse Jarnow’s Flagging Down the Double E’s installment revisits the final RFK Stadium shows of Dylan and the Grateful Dead’s 1986 test-run, contrasting the Dead’s looser backing with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ more formal Dylan sets.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Lage remain through August?
Reported July 11 Rotterdam and July 12 San Biagio commitments could affect Dylan’s remaining U.S. dates and any upcoming European plans.
OPEN QUESTION
Is the guitar lineup now settled?
Shakopee introduced a two-guitar configuration with Lage and Paterson after several shows of personnel churn, but available reporting does not confirm whether it is temporary or durable.