Legendary musician Bob Dylan recently surprised his audience by performing ‘I Shall Be Released’ at a concert in Oregon, USA, marking the first time the song has featured in his live setlist in 18 years. The Nobel laureate’s rendition of the classic track occurred on June 9, 2026, during his extended ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ tour.
‘I Shall Be Released’ holds a significant place in Dylan’s extensive catalogue. He penned the song in 1967, recording it alongside The Band during their famed ‘Basement Tapes’ sessions. The Band later included their own version as the closing track on their influential 1968 debut album, ‘Music From Big Pink’. Dylan’s last known performance of the song was in Warsaw in 2008.
This recent inclusion follows a trend of Dylan revisiting lesser-played material during his current tour. A previous Washington gig saw him open with ‘You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere’, another ‘Basement Tapes’ cut, which hadn't been performed live since 2012. On that occasion, Dylan’s guitarists, Doug Lancio and Bob Britt, joined him on vocals, echoing a practice from the late 1990s and early 2000s when band members more frequently sang alongside him.
The ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ tour, which commenced in 2021, has seen its North American leg extended into late 2026, much to the delight of his dedicated fanbase. The tour has also featured other unexpected additions, such as ‘Baby, Won’t You Be My Baby’, a song Dylan reportedly had not played since recording it nearly six decades ago.
These rare performances continue to fuel interest in Dylan’s live shows, even as some, including Paul McCartney, have noted his evolving vocal style. McCartney recently shared that he found it challenging to identify some songs during a Dylan concert, though he expressed understanding if Dylan preferred not to perform his most famous hits. Despite this, the enduring appeal of Dylan's artistry and his willingness to delve into his vast musical archives ensures continued engagement from fans worldwide.
Source: NME