Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, what a study in contrasts. Two giants of American music delivered the goods Friday night in their own distinct styles. Elmer Ploetz has the review.

I guess you could say that about their entire careers, although both have wound up as American treasures as songwriters and performers. But it was really on display Friday night (Aug. 8) as 2025 Outlaw Music Festival tour set down at the Darien Lake Ampitheater.

Dylan was, well, Dylan. It took some serious listening for pieces of lyrics to recognize some of the songs. That’s partly because of my ears, partly because of Dylan’s voice and partly because he may change almost everything about the songs except for the words.