Paul Simon’s Return to the Stage
Only Paul Simon could create such a powerful moment of silence.
During the first of five sold-out shows on his comeback tour at the Beacon Theater in NYC, the iconic artist performed the entire “Seven Poetry Sal.”
When Simon stepped onto the stage, he opened his arms wide and absorbed the hushed atmosphere. Remarkably, the audience adhered to instructions, avoiding phone use and capturing moments without locking their devices in Yondr pouches.
This situation added to the unique peace of the unfamiliar. It served as a tribute to the 83-year-old musician from Queens, who has graced many stages since what many thought was his final concert at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in 2018.
The farewell tour had truly felt like a closing chapter, especially after the double impact of the pandemic and Simon’s significant hearing loss in his left ear earlier this year.
However, following his collaboration with the Stanford Initiative aimed at addressing hearing loss—and reworking his entire stage setup—Simon returned with his “quiet celebration tour.”
At times he seemed delicate and fragile, yet, with an unfiltered sincerity, it was clear he could hear much better. He brought songs from his solo career and beloved duets with Art Garfunkel to life once more.
The set opened with “Graceland,” the Grammy-winning title track from 1987. The energetic “Jounty Simmee” quickly got the crowd moving.
Meanwhile, “Sliding Down” took on a fresh meaning, delivered with a sensitivity that felt deeply personal, not just professional.
Any hint of sadness vanished when Simon’s longtime partner, Eddie Brickell, joined him for “Julio Down by the Schoolyard.” Their chemistry lit up the theater as they sang together, hand in hand.
The audience responded enthusiastically to his soulful “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”
During “The Boxer,” a classic with Simon & Garfunkel, he engaged the crowd by shining a spotlight on them during the chorus, drawing them into the experience.
But for the final song, “The Sound of Silence,” it was Simon alone. Surrounded by pure white light, he sang and played, embodying the quiet brilliance the song has always embraced.
