Expecting Rain

Easily visible in this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQrqBuKDLcw

I know various microphones have appeared and disappeared again over the last few years...could we be in for some backing vocals? (Unlikely)

I remember a thread years ago about someone who had spoken to George who apparently said they'd been rehearsing some backing vocals.

Anyone else remember that?!

I also had a theory about the two old fashion microphones either side of Bob's main center stage Mic. They are actually monitors right at Bob's ear level, they came in around the time of the Sinatra stuff, where he was focussing more on delicate vocals, hitting and holding notes. There are also no wedge monitors infront of Bob which is something towards supporting this theory.

Whaddya think?!

Stu has a great voice !!!

Remember the Tom Waits performance in Chicago a few years ago (Jesus is gona be here tonight)

I don't that these "mics" are monitors since I never seen any cables. Whatever they are – there are not used in any way that need electricity. My guess is that they are just there to make it harder for people to take photos of Bobs face. by the way: when he's middle of stage he usually takes a few steps back from those "mics" and stand rather near the drums when he's singing into a real mic, i.e. he to fare away from those fake mics to use them as monitors.

Don't they make battery powered microphones now?

So every microphone on stage they actively use has a cable and the two that don't seem to have any use (and no cable) have wireless technology. Bit far-fetched, maybe?

As for Stu's microphone. It seems to be gone now? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9NRC5lecj0

Maybe it was for something like the Tom Waits thing he did a few years back but then they decided against it?
Maybe it was just there from a Bob-less soundcheck and they forgot to put it away?
Maybe he needed it for some more direct contact with the sound guy (who's on the other side of the stage) (Although in this case, it wouldn't have to be out front).

Regular backing vocals seem unlikely, as Charlie didn't get a microphone?

Wireless mic's and wireless guitar/amp connections are commonplace, and have been for years. They are frequently used on the same stage as conventional leads, often at the preference of the performer (someone like Buddy Guy uses a radio based lead for his guitar so he can roam around the venue while playing, yet his bass player will be using a normal lead).

Not saying that is happening here, who (apart from Bob and his sound crew/roadies) knows what set up he has? But such a combination is commonplace.

I stand corrected. Looking at this, it appears that all mics near Bob do have conventional leads?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icZjoc_bWwY

They use cords.

The Mic near Stu is clearly visable in this clip too. Probably its just one of those odd Dylan things where its placed there for months and never used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9NRC5lecj0

so funny i swear i just thought yesterday i really missed Stu's jokes

I remember seeing stu using maracas at two shows a few years back and he had an sm57 at a lower high but this just looks like another way for people in the audience to not film/ photograph bobs face.

It's beside Bob's guitar amp and presumably just in case Bob feels like picking up the guitar. Bob also does a lot of wandering this tour and often leaves his main mic all over the stage. I'm sure I've seen him go to that guitar/stu mic when the other mic has been left the other side of the stage.

Many touring bands have a combination of wireless & wired. Some use all or none of either.

Random mics could be for show, distraction or as cancelling devices.

Dylanswife can't you just ask Bob ?

moab