Small gusts of wind blew in our hair as we queued up early, eager to get a good spot at Bob Dylan’s show in Thomond Park Stadium.

Starting the day were local Last Days Of Death Country with youthful exuberance. Then Alabama 3, with their classic lines getting us bopping, followed by Seasick Steve delivering some foot-stomping blues with his wild collection of homemade guitars. David Grey, classic songs expanded, all the acts seem to reflect elements of the man we’d come to see, every band indicated their respect to Bob, obviously proud to be supporting him this day.

Being right up front it was possible to see the interplay between the band and their leader. The rhythm section of George Receli drums, Stu Kimball rhythm guitar and Tony Garnier (Dylans’ longest serving sideman) bass, provided the backbone of the sound, with Don Herron switching between pedal guitar, mandolin, trumpet and viola and Charlie Sexton lead guitarist, constantly having to check exactly what chords Bob was playing to fit their parts into the whole. For a band to still be so focused on getting it right after hundreds of shows was amazing and obviously still having a ball playing with the man. Being there at the show was for me at times like having a master artist delivering the message through timeless words, his finger pointing straight at me.