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Bob Dylan bans phones from first UK tour in five years

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Bob Dylan performs as part of a historic double bill with Neil Young at Hyde Park on July 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Bob Dylan performs as part of a historic double bill with Neil Young at Hyde Park. (Getty Images)

Bob Dylan has banned mobile phones from his first UK tour in five years.

The music legend is set to play four nights at the London Palladium in October before playing a number of arenas around the rest of the UK.

But fans attending won't be able to use their phones while Dylan is performing.

Read more: Bob Dylan reveals why he took so long to respond to his Nobel Prize win

Attendees will be required to put their phones in a Yondr case which is then locked with a security tag that venue staff undo at the end of the performance.

Bob Dylan performs on stage at the Hop Farm Festival, Paddock Wood Kent.
Bob Dylan performs on stage at the Hop Farm Festival. (Press Association)

The phone does stay on the person, but cannot be taken out of the pouch until the end of the show unless the fan goes to a phone access zone.

The Yondr pouches have become increasingly popular in recent years to stop the filming of performances. They have been in common use for comedians such as Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle and also musicians such as Jack White.

Dylan has not played in the UK since 2019 when he performed at BST Hyde Park with Neil Young, but his last full tour of the UK was more than five years ago.

As well as the four London dates, Dylan will also be visiting Cardiff, Hull, Nottingham and Glasgow this October.

American music legend Bob Dylan (C) performs on stage during his concert in Shanghai on April 8, 2011. Counter-culture legend Bob Dylan, on a tour commemorating 50 years since his first major performance on April 11, 1961 made his long-awaited China debut after finally getting approval to bring his charged songs of protest and struggle to a nation where dissent is muzzled.  AFP PHOTO/Philippe Lopez (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Bob Dylan performs live in China. (Getty Images)

Tickets for the concerts go on sale this Friday on 15 July from 10am. They can be purchased here.

The Man in the Long Black Coat musician is currently on tour across the US after being forced to postpone a great number of gigs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 81-year-old released his last album – Rough and Rowdy Ways – in June 2020 and was called one of Dylan's best albums. He was released 39 albums in total since 1962.

Watch below: Bob Dylan and Elton John help Brian Wilson celebrate 80th birthday.