Bob Dylan Announces First UK Tour In 5 Years — With A Catch

Rae Batchelor
Honoree Bob Dylan speaks onstage at the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Getty | Michael Kovac

Bob Dylan, 81, has just announced his first tour in the UK in five years, but he's implementing a unique rule that not all fans will love.

There are a lot of different things to enjoy about concerts. Whether it's getting to experience your favorite acts live, getting to be surrounded by other passionate music fans with a real sense of community, or creating memories to look back on in your golden years, there's something to love. Some artists, like Bob Dylan, are making moves to make sure these memories only exist in your head.

Bob Dylan is a legend in folk music.

Bob Dylan holding his sunglasses up to the camera.
Giphy

"Like A Rolling Stones," "Blowin' In The Wind," "Mr. Tambourine Man," "End Of The Line," "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," "The Times They Are A-Changin'," — it might be easier to list songs of his that didn't have a huge impact on music or pop culture.

Getting to see this legend on tour is pretty rare.

Even though he's in his 80s, Bob still gets out there and tours his music, but it's getting rarer and rarer — for instance, he only just announced a new tour in the UK, which is his first tour there in five years.

On top of that, he's making sure the times aren't a-changing TOO much by implementing a new rule.

There will be no phones allowed at his shows.

Bob Dylan and Jimmy Fallon cheersing their drinks.
Giphy | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

In a press release, Dylan's shows were revealed to be "non-phone events," which means anyone attending the shows will have to keep their phones in a special pouch that seals shut and can only be open at certain stations in the venue. That means if you were hoping to get a vid of Bob singing your favorite song on your phone, you are going to be out of luck.

What do you think?

Are you in favor of artists making their shows non-phone events, or do you think if you paid for a ticket it's your right to have your phone out if you so choose? Let us know what you think in the comments!

h/t: Nine