Bob Dylan Surprises Belfast Audience with Van Morrison Cover: Going Down to Bangor
When Bob Dylan performed at Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Ireland, during his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour, he surprised the audience by covering a lesser-known Van Morrison song, "Going Down to Bangor," from Morrison's 2016 album Keep Me Singing. Despite the lack of recognition from the crowd, Dylan's rendition of the song was captured by a fan, showcasing a unique and unexpected moment in the concert.
This isn't the first time Dylan has covered Morrison's songs, as he has previously performed tracks like "One Irish Rover," "Carrying a Torch," and "Real Real Gone." The two iconic musicians have a history of mutual admiration, with Morrison also covering Dylan's songs such as "Just Like a Woman" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."
Dylan's choice to cover "Going Down to Bangor" reflects his tendency to select non-obvious songs by renowned songwriters, as seen in his performances of Bo Diddley's "I Can't Tell" and Bob Weir's "Only a River." As Dylan's 2025 tour wraps up in Ireland, fans can anticipate more shows in 2026, as hinted by Dylan's recent announcement on X, promising to return in early Spring 2026 with further details to follow.