Bob Dylan Tells Fans to Put Their Phones Away During His Concert: 'We Can Either Play or Pose'

If there’s one thing Bob Dylan wants to make clear, it’s that photos at his concerts are not welcome.

During a recent show in Vienna, Austria, the longtime singer, 77, paused mid-way through his performance of “Blowin’ in the Wind” to make sure that fans understood his strict “no photos” policy after they attempted to snap a pic of him on stage.

In an Instagram video captured by Stereogum, Dylan was heard mumbling something about “pictures” into the microphone before he angrily took a few steps backward and accidentally tripped over one of the stage’s audio monitors.

After catching his balance, the singer regained his composure at the mic and then firmly delivered a message to the fan.

“Take pictures or don’t take pictures,” he grumbled. “We can either play or we can pose. Okay?”

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After calling out the fans, Dylan reportedly performed “It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry” but then called it a night and walked off stage, according to Billboard.

His band then closed out the night with an instrumental version of “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.”

Representatives for Dylan did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

For years, Dylan has been private when it comes to his performances, informing fans ahead of the show that photos are forbidden inside the venue, and even has flashlight-wielding security enforce the strict rule, Rolling Stones reports.

The awkward fan encounter also marked the first time in several years that Dylan spoke to an audience.

The folk singer used to introduce his band with his speaking voice, but according to the magazine, he put an end to that in 2017.

RELATED: Bob Dylan: ‘If I Had To Do It Over Again, I’d Be a Schoolteacher’

Dylan is currently in the midst of a European tour, with a six-week break scheduled after his May 7 performance in Valencia, Spain, according to his website.

After that, he’ll continue his international run with shows on June 21, making stops in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Denmark, England, before finishing in Kilkenny, Ireland on July 14. For Dylan’s final two shows in London and Ireland, he will be co-headlining with Neil Young.

Once he wraps his tour, Dylan’s focus will shift from music to alcohol, as he is expected to help open a whiskey distillery in downtown Nashville in the fall of 2020, according to Billboard.

The building’s opening will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the folk singer’s album Nashville Skyline, the outlet reports.


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