SET FOR SOUND OF SILENCE
PAUL SIMON TALKS ABOUT HIS FAREWELL GIGS:
IT’S been a long slog for Paul Simon. Over half a century of singing, songwriting, performing and recording has left him with 13 solo studio albums and 12 Grammy awards and now he’s decided it’s time to call it a day.
Simon started his musical career way back in 1956 when he formed Simon & Garfunkel with Art Garfunkel. After they parted ways in 1970, he branched out on his own and has barely looked back.
The Homeward Bound Farewell Tour will be his last, though an album of re-recordings will be released later this year. He’ll play the Manchester Arena on Tuesday (July 10).
He said of this farewell tour: “I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to reach the point where I’d consider bringing my performing career to a natural end.
“Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating and something of a relief. I love making music, my voice is still strong, and my band is a tight, extraordinary group of gifted musicians.
“I think about music constantly. I am very grateful for a fulfilling career and, of course, most of all to the audiences who heard something in my music that touched their hearts.”
Simon works hard to make the world a better place, and not just by releasing a steady stream of best-selling albums.
His philanthropic work includes co-founding the Children’s Health Fund (CHF), which donates mobile medical units, as well as raising millions of dollars for various charities.
This will be an emotional concert, without a doubt. Here’s what you can expect... Stage times The doors to Manchester Arena will open at 6pm. Paul will hit the stage at 7.30pm on the dot, with no support act and no interval.
As always with the arena, allow plenty of time to get through venue security and find your seats.
There are rules on what you can and can’t take into a venue, so aim to carry only the bare essentials. You won’t be allowed in with backpacks of any description, or bags larger than a sheet of A3 paper (35cm x 40cm x 19cm).
Make sure you’re not carrying any restricted items - such as aerosol cans, whistles, or iPads - and have your tickets ready when you arrive.
The concert will be fully seated.
Tickets
Slim pickings. At the time of writing there were a handful of single tickets left for sale on SeeTickets if you don’t mind going on your own, but the vast majority have been snapped up.
There are also a few tickets in the tiers available on Eventim.
You should be able to pick up tickets on resale sites, but as always make sure you’re only buying from trusted sellers and read the T&Cs carefully.
Setlist
You’ll notice plenty of Simon & Garfunkel songs creeping into the setlist here, which will please many.
The epic 26-song setlist also includes two encores, so don’t pack up and leave after the first one.
Based on his performances elsewhere in Europe, this is what the setlist is likely to look like: America 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover The Boy in the Bubble Dazzling Blue That Was Your Mother Rewrite Mother and Child Reunion Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War Can’t Run But Bridge Over Troubled Water Wristband Spirit Voices The Obvious Child Questions for the Angels The Cool, Cool River Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes You Can Call Me Al Encore Late in the Evening Still Crazy After All These Years Graceland Encore 2 Homeward Bound Kodachrome The Boxer American Tune The Sound of Silence