Bob Dylan’s Touring Guitarists Continue to Rotate as Jad Tariq Steps In

The guitarist rotation in Bob Dylan’s touring band turned over once more on Friday night. At the PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati, Memphis-based Jad Tariq made his debut, stepping in for Julian Lage. Lage himself had only recently joined, replacing Doug Lancio earlier this summer.

Lage has missed several shows due to prior engagements, including a pair of European dates this weekend. Joel Paterson, who came aboard after Bob Britt’s exit in late June, handled guitar duties alone on those nights—until Dylan drafted Tariq to fill the gap. The move pushes the count of guitarists who’ve played with Dylan on the road to 36.

The constant churn marks an unusual phase for an artist whose touring units were once famously stable. Yet the setlist has remained fixed: 15 songs each night, closing with either “I Shall Be Released” or “Every Grain of Sand.” That discipline contrasts with the backstage shuffle.

Whether Tariq’s role is permanent or a one-off substitution remains open. Lage’s own schedule complicates things; he has North American shows booked in October, when Dylan heads to Europe. Dylan’s next concert, Sunday in Pittsburgh, will suggest which direction the revolving door swings.