Bob Dylan Performs 'Masters of War' Live First Time Since 2016

Bob Dylan, now 84, has reintroduced his powerful protest song "Masters of War" during his 2025 Outlaw Music Festival tour, performing it live for the first time in nearly a decade. Originally released in 1963 on his album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, the song fiercely criticizes those in power who instigate war, a theme Dylan described as a rare and intense expression of anger and frustration. His revival of the song, which last appeared in his setlists in 2016, has prompted speculation that it may be a subtle commentary on current global conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza. Dylan also opened his recent festival performances with "The Times They Are A-Changin’," signaling a resonant call for change amid contemporary turmoil. Alongside his festival appearances, Dylan spent time recording near Albany, New York, and plans to continue touring Europe later in the year. Throughout his career, Dylan’s songs have chronicled political and social upheavals, and his choice to perform "Masters of War" again highlights the ongoing relevance of his early work.