Bob Dylan’s concert Saturday at Powers Auditorium comes amid the afterglow of “A Complete Unknown,” the 2024 film about the early days of his career. 

The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

It didn’t pick up a single Oscar, but it is a great depiction of the first part of the artist’s career. It begins with his arrival in the folk music hotbed of New York and continues through his rise to fame, concluding with the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, when he famously “went electric.”

Every true Dylan fan knows the story backward and forward and likely didn’t learn anything new from the film. But as a faithful biopic, “Unknown” is an important part of the Dylan archives. And it reveals a little more with each viewing.

The 83-year-old Dylan is always on tour. He last played Youngstown in 2012 and 2018, both times at Covelli Centre, and he played the Akron Civic Theatre in 2023. He’ll play Benedum Center in Pittsburgh on Monday and will be at Blossom on June 21 as part of the Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson.

The current show promotes the 2020 “Rough and Rowdy Ways” album, which means Saturday’s set will differ a lot from his past two appearances in Youngstown.

According to his recent set lists, the concert will include every song from “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” plus about eight more from his early years, including “It Ain’t Me, Babe” (1964) and “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” (1965).

By the way, Saturday’s concert at Powers is sold out.

For the folks who know little about Dylan but bought a ticket after seeing the film, be warned that what you saw depicted on the screen happened a long time ago. Dylan’s voice has long since evolved into a gravelly growl and – as most people know by now – he changes the arrangements and melodies on his songs to the point you might not recognize them.

Fans who have tickets also need to know that it will be a phone-free experience. Use of cellphones, cameras or recording devices will not be permitted in the seating area.

Upon entering Powers, all phones will be secured in Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event as each patron leaves the building. Guests will maintain possession of their phones and can access them at any time during the event at a designated area. 

Anyone seen using a cellphone during the performance will be escorted out of the venue.

The promoter also is encouraging guests to bring a bank card or credit card for purchases inside Powers.

Ben Folds at the Robins

This week is exceptional for Mahoning Valley music lovers. It will end with Dylan, and it began with a Sunday night solo concert by Ben Folds at the Robins Theatre.

Folds played to a highly appreciative audience, and he returned the enthusiasm, connecting with the crowd between songs by telling stories.

It was just him and a grand piano on the stage, but the audience helped with the music. The folks in the seats knew the words to every song – and the three-part harmonies as well. Folds noticed, at one point saying there must be a lot of music or choir singers in the house.

Even though it was a solo show, the songs packed the same punch as they would have if there was a full band on stage. That’s the power of a pianist like Folds.

For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.

Pictured at top: Bob Dylan.