Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello to rock IU on Friday

American folk-rock legend and icon Bob Dylan will play Friday at Assembly Hall in a homecoming concert that will also feature 70s singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and Amos Lee.\nThe 7 p.m. concert is sponsored by Assembly Hall in collaboration with the Union Board and the IU Alumni Association.\nDylan’s music has greatly evolved since his heyday in the 1960s, but he is not forgotten by younger generations. \n“I think he’s written many great songs,” said freshman Ted Somerville. “He’s a legend and it’s important to recognize that ... (and) what he did for music and political activism.”\nCostello is also back from an extended break from his solo performances. The tour with Dylan is Costello’s comeback after a 12-year hiatus.\nThis is not Dylan’s first visit to IU.\n“He’s been here twice in the past,” said Adam Soiref, IU Union Board concert director. “Both times we sold out.”\nAssembly Hall has not held a concert for about five years – the last was when John Mellencamp played in Bloomington, Soiref said. \nAttendance was high for the Mellencamp concert, but Dylan sales are looking to top that, Soiref said. As of Thursday, organizers had sold about 7,600 tickets.\nLike Dylan, Costello has also performed in Bloomington.\n“It’s been about 25 or 30 years since he’s been here,” Soiref said. “For most people, it’s going to be the first time (that they’ve seen him).”\nDylan is touring in support of the release of his latest greatest-hits album, “Dylan.” The collection is being released in three different forms: an 18-song CD, a 51-song three-disc collection and a deluxe boxed edition. \nDylan fans might also take an interest in “The Other Side of the Mirror,” an 80-minute DVD featuring unreleased footage of Dylan’s performances at the Newport Folk Festival from 1963 to 1965. Its release date is Oct. 30.\nDean of Students Dick McKaig said he is excited about the concert.\n“I’ve been to the Dylan concerts the last two times he’s been here,” he said. “It’s the first Assembly Hall concert in years, so that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to it.”\nTickets, priced at $30, $45 and $55, are still available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com and at the IU Auditorium Box Office.