Bob Dylan’s Outlaw Festival Setlist 2025: A Night of Surprises

Bob Dylan Setlist

On May 13, 2025, Bob Dylan took the stage at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, Arizona, for the opening night of the Outlaw Music Festival. In a performance that defied expectations, Dylan delivered a set brimming with surprises, deep cuts, and unexpected covers, setting a high bar for the rest of the tour. Willie Nelson‘s Setlist for 2025 is also revealed.

Bob Dylan Complete Setlist 2025

Here is the exact setlist of Bob Dylan’s performance on May 13, 2025, at the Outlaw Music Festival in Phoenix, Arizona:

  1. I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
  2. It Ain’t Me, Babe
  3. Forgetful Heart
  4. Axe and the Wind
  5. To Ramona
  6. Route 66
  7. All Along the Watchtower
  8. I’ll Make It All Up To You
  9. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry
  10. Mr. Tambourine Man
  11. Under the Red Sky
  12. Scarlet Town
  13. A Rainy Night in Soho – Setlist.fm
Bob Dylan – It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry – 05/13/2025

A Night of Surprises

Bob Dylan Setlist Opening with Familiar Favorites

The evening began with Dylan’s rendition of “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” a familiar opener that quickly transitioned into “It Ain’t Me, Babe.” Notably, Dylan switched from his usual piano to guitar, signaling a shift in his performance style for the night.

Bob Dylan

Deep Cuts and Rare Performances

Dylan then delved into “Forgetful Heart,” a track from his 2009 album Together Through Life, marking its first live performance since 2015. This was followed by “Axe and the Wind,” a live debut of a George “Wild Child” Butler cover, showcasing Dylan’s willingness to explore new material.

The surprises continued with “To Ramona,” a song from his 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan, performed live for the first time since 2017. This was followed by a cover of Bobby Troup’s “Route 66,” marking its first live performance since 1986.

Unexpected Covers and Fan Favorites

Dylan’s set also featured a rendition of “All Along the Watchtower,” a staple in his repertoire, followed by “I’ll Make It All Up To You,” a Charlie Rich cover making its live debut. He then performed “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,” a song from his 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited, before surprising the audience with “Mr. Tambourine Man,” a track from his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home, performed live for the first time since 2010.

Willie Nelson & Bob Dylan

Closing with New Material

The evening concluded with “Under the Red Sky,” a song from his 1990 album of the same name, followed by “Scarlet Town,” a track from his 2012 album Tempest. Dylan closed the set with “A Rainy Night in Soho,” a cover of a song by The Pogues, marking its live debut.

Bob Dylan Setlist in Phoenix Setting the Tone

Dylan’s performance in Phoenix was a masterclass in reinvention and surprise. By incorporating deep cuts, rare performances, and unexpected covers into his setlist, he not only delighted longtime fans but also set a precedent for the rest of the Outlaw Music Festival tour.

As the tour progresses, audiences can expect more of the same: a celebration of musical history, a showcase of new talent, and a reaffirmation of the enduring legacy of Bob Dylan. The Phoenix show set a high bar, and the upcoming performances are poised to continue this tradition of excellence.

Bob Dylan and Susan Tedeschi Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan’s performance at the Outlaw Music Festival 2025 in Phoenix was a testament to his enduring talent and influence in the music industry. The thoughtfully curated setlist not only honoured his past but also embraced the future, setting the stage for the rest of the tour. With such a strong start, the Outlaw Music Festival promises to be a memorable journey for fans across the country.