Julian Lage

Julian Lage’s unexpected turn as Bob Dylan’s electric guitarist continued over the weekend.
As previously reported, on Wednesday at Santa Barbara, CA’s Santa Barbara Bowl, Lage filled in for Doug Lancio, who has been Dylan’s regular guitarist since the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour began in 2021, without any explanation.

The next day, at Highland, CA’s Yaamava’ Theater at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, Lage was once again back on guitar in place of Lancio, and the California-bred, New Yok-area based musician remained part of the band throughout Dylan’s entire show. The Bard mostly stuck to the same set as the night before, though he did replace his final two selections, “Nervous Breakdown” and “I Shall Be Released,” with “Goodbye Jimmy Reed” and “Every Grain of Sand.”

Then, on Saturday at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, CA, Lage made his third appearance as Dylan’s guitarist. The setlist was almost identical to the Highland, CA show, with of the notable exception of the show-opening Nashville Skyline tune “To Be Alone With You” being replaced with another enduring number, “Watching the River Flow.” However, as Dylan likes to keep fans on their toes, “To Be Alone With You” was back in the setlist as the opening number last night, as Lage continued his run of shows as part of Dylan’s band at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CA,.

Lage is expected to play guitar once again when Dylan appears at Phoenix, AZ’s Arizona Financial Theatre tomorrow. His next appearance under his own name will be at Brooklyn, NY’s National Sawdust on June 29.