The Never Ending Tour is the popular name for Bob Dylan's endless touring schedule since June 7, 1988. In 2014, his schedule ran from March to December.
Background
The first leg of the tour taking place solely in Japan was announced on Christmas Eve 2013, with large gaps between several dates. Three extra dates in Tokyo were eventually announced in late February 2014.
It was announced via Dylan's official website that he and his band would perform two shows in Hawaii in April, one taking place in Maui and the second taking place in Honolulu. This was the first time that Dylan had performed in the state in twenty-two years; he last performed there in April 1992.
Dates of a European tour were slowly published through several unofficial Dylan websites before being officially announced on BobDylan.com in March 2014. The European leg began in Cork, Ireland, at the Live at the Marquee Festival and his appearance was met with relatively positive reviews.
On May 26 a six-city Australian tour was announced, with several extra dates being added later throughout the early (Southern Hemisphere) winter. The same announcement revealed two New Zealand shows, bypassing the city of Auckland. On August 18 a one-off small club show at the Tivoli in Brisbane was announced, billed as a "once in a life-time concert performance".
The final leg of the tour, taking place in North America throughout the autumn and early winter, was announced on August 27, one day after the announcement of The Bootleg Series Vol. 11: The Complete Basement Tapes.
Set list
This set list is representative of the performance on October 24, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.
Set One
"Things Have Changed" "She Belongs to Me" "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" "Workingman's Blues #2" "Waiting for You" "Duquesne Whistle" "Pay in Blood" "Tangled Up in Blue" "Love Sick"
Set Two
"High Water (For Charley Patton)" "Simple Twist of Fate" "Early Roman Kings" "Forgetful Heart" "Spirit on the Water" "Scarlet Town" "Soon After Midnight" "Long and Wasted Years"
Encore
"Blowin' in the Wind" "Stay With Me"
Tour dates
Notes
Reception
Dylan's 2014 leg of the Never Ending Tour has been met with almost completely favorable responses and reviews. Many complimenting his quality of shows, now that he has focused on one particular set list.
In Japan Dylan was applauded for his selection and arrangement of the songs in his current set list, with one reviewer for the Japan Times in Tokyo "This [Dylan] is an artist still forever pushing the envelope, with one rendition of a song only rarely the same as any other". In Osaka Dylan's vocal approach and quality were praised and a review called his vocal ability "solid".
When Dylan visited the island of Hawaii straight after a run of concerts in Japan he was praised for "honey coated" vocals and the ability of his backing band. It was also noted how Dylan can make a concert feel "essential" for a fan whilst not particularly engaging with the audience.