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Bob Dylan Debuts Joel Paterson at Austin Show

6/30/2026

Summary

Bob Dylan Performs

Bob Dylan performed his June 29 show at Austin’s Amphitheater with guitarist Joel Paterson after Bob Britt announced his departure.
The band lost Doug Lancio and missed Julian Lage because he was booked at Sawdust in Brooklyn.
Tony Garnier and Anton Fig were the remaining members.
Paterson’s performance earned praise for handling guitar parts while Britt said he left to focus on session work and his wife Etta’s gospel record.

Summary

Bob Britt Quits

Bob Britt confirmed he quit Bob Dylan’s tour after seven years, citing private reasons.
He announced on Facebook that he will resume session work and finish Etta Britt’s gospel record.
On June 27 he posted an Austin-to-Nashville flight-path image captioned “Sayonara Bobby” and said he was not fired, leaving the door open for future touring.
Meanwhile, Colin Linden substituted for Charlie Sexton, illustrating ongoing guitarist changes in Dylan’s band.

Summary

Julian Lage Conflict

Dylan’s team gave no comment to the Los Angeles Times about Julian Lage’s permanent status.
Julian Lage has played seven shows since June 17, but gigs on June 29 in New York and July 4 in Montreal clash with the tour.
Anton Fig has replaced longtime drummer Jim Keltner, marking another unannounced lineup shift.
The June 30 Austin concert at Moody Amphitheater will test Julian Lage’s ability to appear despite the conflicting dates.

Summary

Dylan Returns

Dylan performed “I Shall Be Released” after an 18-year hiatus on the Long Hot Summer Tour ’26.
The June 24 Tucson concert opened with “Watching The River Flow,” with Dylan on guitar, a rarity.
Dylan added the obscure “Baby, Will You Be My Baby” to the setlist.
Dylan stayed silent on the June 17 Santa Barbara personnel shuffle, while the Austin Moody Amphitheater show lists band members as TBD.

History

Historical Context

In 1975-76 Bob Dylan launched the Rolling Thunder Revue, a 57-show North American caravan that included Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn and guitarist Mick Ronson. Since the Never-Ending Tour began in 1988, Dylan has routinely reshuffled his band, a habit echoed in his 2026 Long Hot Summer Tour, where guitarist Julian Lage stepped aside after a scheduling clash and drummer Jim Keltner was replaced by Anton Fig.

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Bob Dylan Performs

Bob Dylan performed his June 29 show at Austin’s Amphitheater with guitarist Joel Paterson after Bob Britt announced his departure.
The band lost Doug Lancio and missed Julian Lage because he was booked at Sawdust in Brooklyn.
Tony Garnier and Anton Fig were the remaining members.
Paterson’s performance earned praise for handling guitar parts while Britt said he left to focus on session work and his wife Etta’s gospel record.

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