Dylan delights Beijing fans, respects censors
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Bob Dylan's first live performance in China at Beijing's Worker's Gymnasium on Wednesday was a display of the veteran artist's supreme professionalism.
Playing a two-hour set culminating in two encores, the 69-year old folk hero displayed a workman-like resolve, addressing the audience only once to briefly introduce his band. With the energy of a man half his age, the Panama hat-clad icon displayed his still-amazing virtuosity, trading between keyboards and guitar as he sang in his signature "chameleon" style, and wowing the crowd with periodic harmonica solos.
The nearly 6000-strong crowd was comprised mostly of Chinese fans but Beijing's large expatriate population occupied around a third of the seats. The audience reaction was reverential but often jubilant – especially to standards such as "Tangled up in Blue," "Ballad of a Thin Man," and "All Along the Watchtower". A standing ovation followed his 1965 classic "Like a Rolling Stone," named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest song of all time. When the artist closed with a second encore featuring his 1974 ballad "Forever Young," it was clear concertgoers believed he would remain so.
38-year old Lester Ng, who works in media relations in Beijing, said the performance was well worth the steep price of admission, which ranged from 240 to 1,962 yuan per seat.
"The concert had a shaky start and Dylan was still getting into the groove, but midway, the band began to hit it off and got a lot tighter," Ng said.
Dylan's mainland debut was much hyped in the media, especially since the singer had been denied permission to play in China last year. The Ministry of Culture's decision to allow Dylan to play Beijing and Shanghai this April may pave the way for other international performers.
"The decision to let Dylan play in China was a brave one by the government," Ng said. "I hope that this can be a precedent for future international acts."
Despite fears that his activist history might alienate the Chinese audience, Dylan displayed grace and respect to his hosts by simply putting on a great show.
Dylan will continue his Asia tour at the Shanghai Grand Stage on April 8, followed by dates in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Singapore later this month.
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