Bob Dylan returns to Barcelona for two no-phone gigs

Bob Dylan was back in Barcelona this week as part of the tour for his latest album, 'Rough and Rowdy Ways,' five years after his previous shows in Catalonia.

The legendary musician played two nights at the prestigious Liceu Opera House, where both nights saw the use of mobile phones from the audience prohibited. 

The Nobel Prize for Literature winner played for almost two hours each night in a packed Liceu with more than 2,000 people as part of the Guitar BCN festival. 

Arriving at the venue, cases from the company Yondr were made available to attendees for their phones, which remained locked during the live show. In case of emergency, it could be unlocked and used only in a specific marked area.

Guitar BCN explained that this idea, which has been tried and tested in other recent tours, "creates better moments for all attendees" and contributes to enjoyment and presence. "Our eyes open a little more and our senses are slightly sharpened when we lose the technological crutch we've grown accustomed to. And yes, it's non-negotiable," they explained.

The concert moved between blues and folk with touches of rock and mostly followed the line of the live shows Dylan is giving on this tour, making the most out of the beauty of his surroundings in the Opera Hall with the sound of the full band. 

As usual in his performances, the American artist did not perform any of his most popular big hits from the 1960s, but instead, most of the gig was focused on his latest album 'Rough and Rowdy Ways.' 

Anticipation for Dylan's concerts has been high, as more than 15,000 tickets for performances across Spain were sold within hours after going on sale. Both nights in Barcelona were sold out. 

Organizers of the tour say this is one of the last chances fans will get to hear one of the "most influential" figures of the 20th century live.