Expecting Rain

If the stage configuration and setlist this fall is identical to that of this past summer's tour, keep in mind that if you purchase a front row package ticket-

If you sit in the centre section, you will not be able to see Bob at all when he is seated at the piano (Bob standing at the piano is okay though)

If you sit on the right hand side (facing Bob), you will not be able to see Bob when he is standing centre stage (as he hung back this summer thus you were completely blocked by the piano).

The left hand side (facing Bob) should be fine.

First row ticket holders used to be able to stand at the rail for arena shows, no more. They can stand but not at the rail, only by their seat. However, seat holders behind you will not let you stand at your seat and shout at you to sit down. Therefore, if you are seated in a front row seat, you may not be able to see Bob at all for portions of the show. Yet, his people have no problems charging $500+ for this privilege. But at least you get a foam clock that breaks when you take it out of the box.

Find a link to your venue of choice seating chart before tickets go on sale so you will be prepared (buyer beware).
http://www.slotix.com/tours/4

Also, special early pre-sale to American Express card holders.

Same prices as Valley Center & Las Vegas? Most-likely.

These packages, incuding front row, are a complete waste of money

What's the closet you can sit and still have a good view not blocked by the piano?

It depends on high the stage is , I'd say. A bit like a game of russian roulette then. to spend all that money. the packages are outrageously priced, but hey it s Bob; he could be worth it. depends what you expect i guess. But actually from the seventh row center is great too...

I saw him in the 5th row center at the Academy of Music in Philly a few years ago and was definitely worth it but the stage was probably set up a bit different.

I guess I'll try to shoot for rows 5-10 center left at the Tower.

I was in the eighth row (centre) for a show this summer and I had a good Bob view throughout the concert.

Bob Dylan making his core audience sitting as far away as possible, at inflated prices, vol.5.

But... but.... a VIP ticket gets you a giant plectrum!

Exactly what I thought when I saw Las Vegas prices!!

This is very true. Well said.

Cool!

This should be updated

You may or may not see bob at the piano while standing. If the stage is high, your view will be obstructed. Regardless of stage height if he’s sitting you won’t see him.
If you are center right, you’ll see everything. If you are far right, you’ll be blocked from the center song performances.
Far left is fine still.
He only sang 4 songs center then it turned to 5. That’s 12-15 minutes of a 105 minute set.

Here's footage from Dublin in May

https://youtu.be/kvPiOKIU1Oo

And the Beacon in November

https://youtu.be/x8tbz93pCek

I don't see any significant change in the piano angle?

Right. There's been no significant change in the setup in many years.

Well it’s not simply about the configuration. Each venue is different.
How close the first row is to the stage varies from venue to venue.
So does the height of the stage in relation to the elevation of the seats.

The fact that Bob’s piano is somewhat closer to the front of the stage and angled a bit more head-on has made a difference over the years. No question. Real life examples from this tour:

Example 1: Saw him in Vermont in early summer and we stood between center mics and piano fairly close (2 or 3 people back) and saw him clearly the whole time, including his boots. My friend always wants to see his boots and was amazed that we could easily almost look “down” on them the whole time from so close. Usually not the case. Usually looking “up.”
We were somewhat elevated above the low stage, granted it was GA and we were standing.
Fantastic show, by the way!

Example 2: Then in Richmond last month in the 2nd row, I was further away than VT (even though it was still 2nd row), losing a lot of view at times...seats were way lower than the elevated stage and much vision was blocked. Especially when our boy was sitting. Could only see his forehead & sometimes his eyes, like the famous “Kilroy was here” war graffiti. Great show, regardless.

Example 3: In Boston recently, 9th row was where it was at. Beautiful view and better sound. I did join a friend up in 2nd row center for a bit, they let me do one cheek on each seat between them...but slinked back to 9th row after a couple songs after realizing it was better back there because we couldn’t see shit from 2nd row at that venue because we were too low in relation to the stage height...mostly piano in the way. Sound is usually better a few rows back and we were on the aisle with a straight unblocked view of the stage. Best of the 3, but they were ALL good!

Bottom line: it’s not exactly the same from venue to venue.

Of course not. That's why you have to be selective about the seats you choose to purchase.

Or...at least be selective about where you choose to watch from, yes.

After years of scrambling and sometimes overpaying I find a front balcony seat and binauculars works out just fine for me. Great view point for the beauty of the older theatres and binauculars for a closeup of Bob and the band.

I too love the vantage of the balcony seats in the theaters. You can see everything, and the sound is usually excellent.

That’s bc you’re watching a video. I had front row center this summer and this fall. I could see if I stood in the summer, but had trouble when he sat. Over the summer he didn’t sit as often as the fall.

You really can’t comment and understand what I’m saying unless you sit there. Regardless of your height, you WILL have a problem seeing. I promise.

And there was a change in piano angle. A friend of mine was front row center in San Diego. Had no problem seeing. Had front row center for many shows with high and low stages, and always had an issue if he was center and bob sat.

People saying there is no significant change obviously don’t sit there. If you can say there is no change, then it’s quite clear you don’t know what you’re talking about bc many ppl complained at the show about trouble seeing. It was always the center section.

Two shows I had front row left and front row right. Perfect view regardless of what bob did.

A few friends of mine said the same. I’m not a fan of looking through binoculars but for some it’s great. Beacon balcony seats were 500 a piece

Well each time you were second row, like I said, you couldn’t see him seated. Regardless of stage height it was the same issue. Albany had the lowest stage I’ve ever seen. When he was seated, the center section couldn’t see him. Our seats weren’t on top of the stage either. We had ample leg room and more.

In 2012, bobs piano was angled sideways and his electric organ thing was next to it. 2013 his piano was angled as well as 2014 and 2015 and 2016. 2017 it changed. It faced straight out during the fall.

Saying the set up hasn’t changed since 2012 just points out that you’re oblivious.

With all due respect, my friend, WTF are you talking about?
Please reread the 2nd paragraph of my post you are reacting to.
(Maybe I'm oblivious for agreeing with you? ha ha)