Blab Music
Paul Simon Delivers Intimate Seven Psalms Set at Hollywood Bowl, Then Fires Up Classic Hits
On Sunday, June 7, 2026, 84‑year‑old Paul Simon performed at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. The 2‑hour show began with a full, uninterrupted rendition of his 2023 album Seven Psalms, followed by a second set of his most famous songs, including two Simon & Garfunkel classics.
Simon, who announced a retirement from touring in 2018 after a hearing‑loss diagnosis, returned to the stage in 2025 with the “A Quiet Celebration” tour. The Hollywood Bowl appearance was part of a new summer leg that began at Stanford and will continue across the United States and Canada. The venue, owned by Los Angeles County and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has hosted Simon at least ten times, including four nights of his 2018 “Homeward Bound: The Farewell Tour.”
The first set was a faithful performance of Seven Psalms, a 33‑minute, seven‑movement piece that Simon has described as a continuous meditation on life, love, and memory. The songs were played without breaks or banter, mirroring the album’s original intent. The set opened with “The Lord,” a track that reflects on the passage of time. Simon’s voice, described as a softer instrument with a quaver, carried the lyrical line “Tears and flowers dry over time,” underscoring the album’s contemplative mood.
Guest vocalist Edie Brickell joined Simon on “The Sacred Harp” and “Wait.” The acoustic guitar work and Brickell’s harmonies highlighted the narrative of a couple helping a mother and son hitchhike through Texas. The set concluded with “Wait,” after which the band took a 20‑minute intermission.
The second set shifted to Simon’s catalog of hits. It began with “Graceland,” followed by “Slip Slidin’ Away,” which featured live cello, viola, and flute. “Train in the Distance” closed with a soprano sax solo by Andy Snitzer. The audience responded enthusiastically to “Homeward Bound,” “St. Judy’s Comet,” and “Under African Skies,” the latter a tribute to Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Other highlights included “Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War,” which showcased the trio of Nancy Stagnitta (flute), Caleb Burhans (viola), and Eugene Friesen (cello), and “Spirit Voices,” where Simon told a short Los Angeles story after a brief technical glitch involving guitarists Gyan Reilly and Mark Stewart. The story involved a doctor at UCLA who had been treating Simon’s neuropathy, and the anecdote was delivered with humor.
The encore featured the two Simon & Garfunkel songs “Me and Julio Down by the School Yard” and “The Boxer.” Simon then left the stage alone with an acoustic guitar and performed “American Tune,” a rarely performed political‑tinged track, instead of the usual “The Sound of Silence.” He concluded with the line, “Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day, and I’m trying to get some rest.”
The performance was noted for its emotional depth. A concertgoer in the front rows recalled, “Wow … he really got me good,” and later added, “I’m crying.” The show demonstrated that, despite age and hearing challenges, Simon can still connect with audiences and deliver both new material and beloved classics.
Looking ahead, Simon’s 2026 summer tour will continue through the United States and Canada, with dates announced for major venues. He is slated to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2026 and will play a benefit concert for Maui later in the year. The Seven Psalms album, released May 19, 2023 through Owl Records and Legacy Recordings, remains his most recent studio work.
The Hollywood Bowl show exemplified Simon’s ability to blend reflective new work with the songs that defined his career, reaffirming his status as a living icon in the music industry.
Simon, who announced a retirement from touring in 2018 after a hearing‑loss diagnosis, returned to the stage in 2025 with the “A Quiet Celebration” tour. The Hollywood Bowl appearance was part of a new summer leg that began at Stanford and will continue across the United States and Canada. The venue, owned by Los Angeles County and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has hosted Simon at least ten times, including four nights of his 2018 “Homeward Bound: The Farewell Tour.”
The first set was a faithful performance of Seven Psalms, a 33‑minute, seven‑movement piece that Simon has described as a continuous meditation on life, love, and memory. The songs were played without breaks or banter, mirroring the album’s original intent. The set opened with “The Lord,” a track that reflects on the passage of time. Simon’s voice, described as a softer instrument with a quaver, carried the lyrical line “Tears and flowers dry over time,” underscoring the album’s contemplative mood.
Guest vocalist Edie Brickell joined Simon on “The Sacred Harp” and “Wait.” The acoustic guitar work and Brickell’s harmonies highlighted the narrative of a couple helping a mother and son hitchhike through Texas. The set concluded with “Wait,” after which the band took a 20‑minute intermission.
The second set shifted to Simon’s catalog of hits. It began with “Graceland,” followed by “Slip Slidin’ Away,” which featured live cello, viola, and flute. “Train in the Distance” closed with a soprano sax solo by Andy Snitzer. The audience responded enthusiastically to “Homeward Bound,” “St. Judy’s Comet,” and “Under African Skies,” the latter a tribute to Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Other highlights included “Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War,” which showcased the trio of Nancy Stagnitta (flute), Caleb Burhans (viola), and Eugene Friesen (cello), and “Spirit Voices,” where Simon told a short Los Angeles story after a brief technical glitch involving guitarists Gyan Reilly and Mark Stewart. The story involved a doctor at UCLA who had been treating Simon’s neuropathy, and the anecdote was delivered with humor.
The encore featured the two Simon & Garfunkel songs “Me and Julio Down by the School Yard” and “The Boxer.” Simon then left the stage alone with an acoustic guitar and performed “American Tune,” a rarely performed political‑tinged track, instead of the usual “The Sound of Silence.” He concluded with the line, “Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day, and I’m trying to get some rest.”
The performance was noted for its emotional depth. A concertgoer in the front rows recalled, “Wow … he really got me good,” and later added, “I’m crying.” The show demonstrated that, despite age and hearing challenges, Simon can still connect with audiences and deliver both new material and beloved classics.
Looking ahead, Simon’s 2026 summer tour will continue through the United States and Canada, with dates announced for major venues. He is slated to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2026 and will play a benefit concert for Maui later in the year. The Seven Psalms album, released May 19, 2023 through Owl Records and Legacy Recordings, remains his most recent studio work.
The Hollywood Bowl show exemplified Simon’s ability to blend reflective new work with the songs that defined his career, reaffirming his status as a living icon in the music industry.
