Paul Simon Comes Out of Retirement, Announces Tour with Six Southern California Shows
Paul Simon, the revered singer-songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has made a surprising return to touring after seven years, despite declaring a retirement in 2018 following his farewell tour. At 83 years old, Simon recently announced his upcoming North American tour, titled “A Quiet Celebration Tour,” which will include six Southern California performances between July 7 and July 16 in Long Beach and Los Angeles. The tour is set to kick off on April 4 in New Orleans and will wrap up on August 3 in New Orleans as well. This tour will feature music from Simon’s Grammy-nominated 2023 album, “Seven Psalms,” alongside new renditions of some of his most iconic songs.
Simon’s decision to return to touring comes shortly after a heartwarming duet he performed with Sabrina Carpenter on the Simon & Garfunkel classic, “Homeward Bound,” during the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” broadcast on Sunday night. Despite experiencing acute hearing loss in his left ear while working on “Seven Psalms,” which led him to believe he would never tour again, Simon has been diligently working to address his hearing issues. His dedication to overcoming these challenges will be evident during the upcoming tour, where he will perform with a band comprised of various talented musicians, including Mark Stewart on guitar, Jamey Haddad on percussion, and Andy Snitzer on saxophone. The tour will also feature a unique stage setup to cater to the softer dynamics of his “Seven Psalms” songs.
The decision to return to touring marks a significant moment in Simon’s career and is sure to be a joyous occasion for fans who thought they had bid farewell to the iconic musician back in 2018. With a lineup of intimate classical-music venues like Disney Hall in Los Angeles, the tour promises to provide a special and intimate experience for attendees. The band accompanying Simon on tour will consist of musicians skilled in various instruments, ensuring a captivating and soul-stirring performance for audiences.
Tickets for the “A Quiet Celebration” tour will be available to the general public starting Friday at 10 a.m. local time via Paul Simon’s official website and Ticketmaster. There will also be a pre-sale option for select dates beginning Thursday at 10 a.m. local time, using a special code. With a plethora of tour dates spanning from New Orleans to San Francisco, fans across North America will have the opportunity to witness Paul Simon’s triumphant return to the stage in what promises to be a memorable and inspiring musical journey.