Bob Dylan Performs ‘Masters Of War’ For 1st Time Since 2016

Bob Dylan performed his protest song “Masters Of War” for the first time in nine years on Friday at the Outlaw Music Festival stop at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien, New York. Dylan’s subsequent two Outlaw Festival sets followed the same format and opened with the song that had not been publicly performed since 2016.

“Masters Of War” appeared on Dylan’s 1963 sophomore album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. According to the album’s liner notes posted on Dylan’s website:

“Masters of War” startles Dylan himself. “I’ve never really written anything like that before,” he recalls. “I don’t sing songs which hope people will die, but I couldn’t help it in this one. The song is a sort of striking out, a reaction to the last straw, a feeling of what can you do?” The rage (which is as much anguish as it is anger) is a away of catharsis, a way of getting temporary relief from the heavy feeling of impotence that affects many who cannot understand a civilization which juggles it’s own means for oblivion and calls that performance an act toward peace.

The song was performed once by Dylan in 2016, at the Desert Trip event at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, after having gone absent from his setlists since 2010. Dylan opened his Outlaw set in Darien with “Masters Of War” and did the same on Saturday in Hershey, Pennsylvania and on Sunday in Syracuse, New York.

Watch videos sharing Dylan’s recent “Masters Of War” performances below:

According to a press release issued by White Lake Studios in Colonie, New York, Dylan and members of his band visited the recording facility last week. The studio’s announcement indicated Dylan spent two days at the space located near Albany.

“We want every artist and guest to feel relaxed and at home,” White Lake Studios CEO David Bourgeois said. “We’ve had the privilege of working with many remarkable talents over the years, but this visit was truly special. I’m incredibly proud of our team.”

Additional details regarding Dylan’s use of the recording facility was not disclosed.