Paul Simon
A Quiet Celebration

What Is the A Quiet Celebration Tour?

The A Quiet Celebration Tour is Paul Simon’s ongoing concert series, which launched in 2025 as his first extensive touring since the Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour in 2018. Each show is divided into two distinct halves. The first part presents Seven Psalms — Simon’s Grammy-nominated 33-minute acoustic suite — performed in its entirety as a single continuous piece. After a brief intermission, the second half showcases Simon’s greatest hits alongside rarely performed deep cuts, all arranged specifically for this tour and performed by an 11-piece band. The 2025 run consisted of 55 shows at intimate theaters; the 2026 edition expands to outdoor amphitheaters and concert halls in Europe and North America while maintaining the same contemplative, two-part structure.

Who Is Paul Simon?

Paul Simon (born October 13, 1941 in Newark, New Jersey) is one of the most honored and influential songwriters in the history of popular music. He first came to international fame as one half of Simon & Garfunkel alongside Art Garfunkel, producing landmark albums including Sounds of Silence (1966), Bookends (1968), and Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970). As a solo artist, Simon pioneered the fusion of pop songwriting with world music traditions on Graceland (1986) and The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), earning widespread acclaim for introducing millions of listeners to South African mbaqanga, Brazilian percussion, and West African guitar styles.

Over the course of his career, Simon has won 16 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year three times — for Bridge Over Troubled Water, Still Crazy After All These Years, and Graceland — tying him with Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and Taylor Swift for the all-time record. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 for his work with Simon & Garfunkel and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: once as a member of Simon & Garfunkel (1990) and again as a solo artist (2001). He is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of their prestigious Johnny Mercer Award.

The Hearing Loss Story and the Stanford Breakthrough

Paul Simon announced his retirement from touring in 2018, citing the toll of travel on his family life. But behind the scenes, a more urgent issue was developing. During the recording of Seven Psalms, Simon experienced sudden and severe hearing loss in his left ear that worsened rapidly. By 2023, he revealed in the documentary In Restless Dreams (directed by Alex Gibney) that he retained only six percent hearing in his left ear, casting the possibility of ever performing live again into serious doubt. Working with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss, Simon’s production team redesigned his entire stage configuration. Moving monitors were positioned around him to help compensate for the hearing loss, and venues were carefully selected for their acoustic properties. Simon also adapted his playing style and has omitted certain songs — including the fan favorite You Can Call Me Al — that he can no longer reliably perform with his hearing condition. The result was the 2025 A Quiet Celebration Tour, which critics hailed as one of the most remarkable comebacks in live music.

Seven Psalms: The Album That Brought Him Back

Seven Psalms is Paul Simon’s 15th solo studio album, released May 19, 2023 through Owl Records and Legacy Recordings. It is a 33-minute, seven-movement acoustic work intended to be listened to as one continuous piece — not as individual songs. Simon played most of the instruments himself, including acoustic guitar, various bells, gongs, gamelan, and gobichand, with additional contributions from the British vocal ensemble VOCES8 and a guest vocal by Edie Brickell. The work was inspired by a vivid dream on January 15, 2019 in which a voice told Simon, “You’re working on a piece called Seven Psalms.” He wrote the lyrics over the following years, waking between 3:30 and 5:00 AM several nights a week as words came to him. The album explores themes of faith, mortality, doubt, and spirituality, drawing on the biblical Psalms of King David. It was nominated for Best Folk Album at the 66th Grammy Awards (2024). Critics were unanimous in their praise: the New York Times called it “observant, elliptical, perpetually questioning,” Variety described it as “quietly stunning,” and Rock Cellar hailed it as “a stunning achievement.”

The 11-Piece Band

Paul Simon is accompanied on the A Quiet Celebration Tour by an extraordinary group of musicians, many of whom have performed with him for decades. The 2026 touring band consists of: Edie Brickell (vocals), Mark Stewart (guitar), Bakithi Kumalo (bass), Andy Snitzer (saxophone), Jamey Haddad (percussion), Mick Rossi (piano and keyboards), Gyan Riley (guitar), Matt Chamberlin (drums), Nancy Stagnitta (flute), Caleb Burhans (viola), and Eugene Friesen (cello). Bakithi Kumalo, the South African bassist who played on Graceland in 1986, has been a fixture in Simon’s touring bands for nearly four decades, while Gyan Riley — son of minimalist composer Terry Riley — brings a classical guitar dimension to the arrangements. This ensemble creates the full range of textures Simon’s catalog demands, from the acoustic intimacy of Seven Psalms to the worldbeat grooves of Graceland and the orchestral sweep of Bridge Over Troubled Water.

How to Get the Best A Quiet Celebration Tour Tickets

1. Choose your venue wisely — The 2026 tour visits some of America’s most iconic outdoor stages. The Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks, and Tanglewood are bucket-list venues in their own right. Bethel Woods sits on the original Woodstock grounds. Each venue offers a unique atmosphere, so consider the setting as part of the experience.
2. Understand the seating layout — Outdoor amphitheaters typically offer reserved pavilion or orchestra seating (closest to the stage, often covered) and general admission lawn. For a Paul Simon show, closer reserved seats deliver the best balance of sound and sightlines, but lawn seats at venues like Red Rocks and Tanglewood are a magical summer experience in themselves.
3. Compare primary and resale — Primary tickets went on sale February 6, 2026 through Ticketmaster at 10 AM local time. For sold-out dates or better seat selections, competitive resale listings are available on BigStub.com with every fee included in the displayed price — no surprises at checkout.
4. Plan for the two-part format — The show opens with Seven Psalms (approximately 33 minutes), followed by a brief intermission, then a full second set of hits and deep cuts. Arrive on time — the Seven Psalms performance is the emotional core of the evening and is not repeated in the second half.
5. Prepare for an outdoor evening — All North American dates are at open-air venues. Bring layers for cooler evenings, sunscreen for earlier start times, and check each venue’s website for chair, blanket, and bag policies. Many venues allow low-back lawn chairs and picnic setups.

What Songs Will Paul Simon Play?

Based on the 2025 tour setlists, the second half of each A Quiet Celebration show draws from across Simon’s entire career. Fans can expect to hear beloved songs including Graceland, Slip Slidin’ Away, Homeward Bound, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Kodachrome, Mother and Child Reunion, Late in the Evening, and encores of Simon & Garfunkel classics The Boxer and The Sound of Silence. Simon has noted that he no longer performs You Can Call Me Al due to his hearing condition. The setlist also includes deep cuts such as The Late Great Johnny Ace and René and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War, making each show a journey through the full breadth of one of music’s most adventurous catalogs.

Quick Answers

• Show format: Two parts — Part 1: Seven Psalms (33 minutes), intermission, Part 2: greatest hits and deep cuts.
• Band size: 11 musicians including Edie Brickell and longtime collaborator Bakithi Kumalo.
• Multi-night stands: Royal Albert Hall (2 nights), Red Rocks (2 nights).
• Venue type: All 2026 North American dates are at outdoor amphitheaters.
• Hearing adaptation: Customized stage monitors developed with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss.

Frequently Asked Questions About the A Quiet Celebration Tour

What is the A Quiet Celebration Tour?

The A Quiet Celebration Tour is Paul Simon's ongoing concert series that began in 2025 as his first extensive touring since the Homeward Bound farewell tour in 2018. Each show is performed in two parts: the first half presents Seven Psalms, Simon's Grammy-nominated 33-minute acoustic work, in its entirety. After a brief intermission, the second half features Simon's greatest hits and deep cuts performed by an 11-piece band that includes his wife, Edie Brickell. The 2026 edition extends the tour to outdoor amphitheaters in Europe and across North America.

How did Paul Simon overcome his hearing loss to tour again?

Paul Simon experienced sudden and severe hearing loss in his left ear during the recording of Seven Psalms, eventually retaining only about six percent hearing capacity on that side. His return to the stage was made possible through a partnership with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss at Stanford University. Together with his production team, they redesigned his entire stage setup with repositioned monitors that surround him in sound, allowing him to hear himself and his band during performances. Simon also adapted his playing style and carefully selects venues with optimal acoustics.

What is Seven Psalms?

Seven Psalms is Paul Simon's 15th solo studio album, released on May 19, 2023 through Owl Records and Legacy Recordings. It is a 33-minute composition structured as seven interconnected movements inspired by the biblical Psalms of King David. The album was recorded entirely on acoustic instruments, with Simon performing the majority of parts himself. It features contributions from the British vocal ensemble VOCES8 and a guest vocal by Edie Brickell. The work was inspired by a dream Simon had on January 15, 2019, in which a voice told him he was working on a piece called Seven Psalms. It was nominated for Best Folk Album at the 66th Grammy Awards.

Who is in Paul Simon's band for the 2026 tour?

The 2026 A Quiet Celebration Tour features an 11-piece band: Edie Brickell on vocals, Mark Stewart and Gyan Riley on guitars, Bakithi Kumalo on bass, Andy Snitzer on saxophone, Jamey Haddad on percussion, Mick Rossi on piano and keyboards, Matt Chamberlin on drums, Nancy Stagnitta on flute, Caleb Burhans on viola, and Eugene Friesen on cello. Bakithi Kumalo has been a fixture in Simon's bands since recording the landmark Graceland album in 1986.

What songs does Paul Simon play on this tour?

The first half of each show is devoted entirely to Seven Psalms performed as a continuous 33-minute piece. After intermission, the second set draws from Simon's full career and has included Graceland, Slip Slidin' Away, Homeward Bound, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Kodachrome, Mother and Child Reunion, Late in the Evening, and encores of The Boxer and The Sound of Silence. Deep cuts like The Late Great Johnny Ace and Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War also appear. Simon has said he can no longer perform You Can Call Me Al due to his hearing condition.

Why are all the 2026 North American dates at outdoor venues?

The 2025 A Quiet Celebration Tour focused on smaller indoor theaters specifically chosen for their superior acoustics, which helped Simon manage his hearing condition. For 2026, the tour has expanded to outdoor amphitheaters including the Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks, Tanglewood, and Bethel Woods. The success of the 2025 run and continued refinement of his assistive audio technology gave Simon and his team the confidence to perform in larger outdoor settings while maintaining the intimate, acoustically rich experience the tour is known for.

Is Edie Brickell performing on the tour?

Yes. Edie Brickell, who is married to Paul Simon, performs as a vocalist in his 11-piece touring band. She sings accompanying vocals on several songs throughout the show, including on Seven Psalms movements The Sacred Harp and Wait, which she also appears on in the studio recording. Brickell is an acclaimed singer-songwriter in her own right, best known for her work with New Bohemians and their 1988 hit What I Am.

How many Grammy Awards has Paul Simon won?

Paul Simon has won 16 Grammy Awards over his career, including Album of the Year three times for Bridge Over Troubled Water (1971), Still Crazy After All These Years (1976), and Graceland (1987). He also won Record of the Year three times. In 2003, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with Simon and Garfunkel. Seven Psalms was nominated for Best Folk Album at the 66th Grammy Awards in 2024. Simon is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (as part of Simon and Garfunkel in 1990 and as a solo artist in 2001) and a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

What is the significance of the Hollywood Bowl date?

The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles holds special historical significance for Paul Simon. It was the venue where he first performed with Art Garfunkel in 1967, early in the duo's career. The June 7, 2026 performance marks a return to one of the most iconic outdoor concert venues in the world, nearly 60 years after that first appearance. The Hollywood Bowl seats approximately 17,500 and is renowned for its natural acoustics and stunning hillside setting, making it an ideal fit for the A Quiet Celebration Tour's emphasis on sound quality.

Are there multi-night dates on the tour?

Yes. The A Quiet Celebration Tour includes several multi-night engagements. Paul Simon performs two nights at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 13 and 14, and two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on June 12 and 13. Multi-night stands were a hallmark of the 2025 tour, where Simon performed up to five consecutive nights at venues like the Beacon Theatre in New York and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, allowing fans multiple opportunities to experience the show in each city.

What is the Bethel Woods show on July 3?

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York sits on the historic grounds where the original 1969 Woodstock festival took place. Paul Simon performing at Bethel Woods on July 3, 2026, the eve of Independence Day weekend, carries deep symbolic resonance. Simon and Garfunkel were contemporaries of the Woodstock generation, and Simon's catalog has been intertwined with the cultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. The venue itself features a mix of covered pavilion seating and open lawn areas set among the rolling hills of the Catskill Mountains.

Can I get A Quiet Celebration Tour tickets with no hidden fees?

Yes. BigStub uses transparent all-in pricing on every A Quiet Celebration Tour listing, meaning the ticket price displayed includes all service charges and fees upfront with no additional costs at checkout. BigStub has been a trusted ticket resale marketplace for over 20 years, holds the highest seller rating on Trustpilot, and backs every purchase with buyer protection and verified seller authentication. For primary tickets, check Ticketmaster or paulsimon.com.

How long is a Paul Simon concert on this tour?

A full evening at the A Quiet Celebration Tour lasts approximately two to two and a half hours. The first part, featuring the complete Seven Psalms, runs about 33 minutes. After a brief intermission, the second set of greatest hits and deep cuts typically runs 75 to 90 minutes. Including the break, plan for a total of about two hours and 15 minutes from the opening notes to the final encore. Arrive on time, as the Seven Psalms portion begins promptly and sets the emotional tone for the entire evening.

Will Paul Simon play any Simon and Garfunkel songs?

Yes. While the A Quiet Celebration Tour is a Paul Simon solo concert, the second half of the show regularly includes Simon and Garfunkel songs. Based on the 2025 setlists, the encore typically features The Boxer and The Sound of Silence, two of the most iconic songs in the Simon and Garfunkel catalog. Other songs originally recorded with Garfunkel, such as Homeward Bound and Mrs. Robinson, also appear in the setlist at various performances. Art Garfunkel is not part of the tour.

Where can I find official tour updates?

The best source for official A Quiet Celebration Tour information is Paul Simon's official website at paulsimon.com. Tour dates, ticket links, and news are posted there first. You can also follow Simon's official Instagram (@paulsimonofficial) and Facebook page for updates. Primary tickets are available through Ticketmaster. For competitive resale tickets with all-in pricing, visit BigStub.com.