Paul Simon began his final NYC run at MSG (night 1 setlist, videos)
We're still crazy after all these years! Paul Simon electrifies a #soldout Garden crowd tonight! #PaulSimonMSG (Photo credit: Jake Edwards) pic.twitter.com/9rFBjJxDBp
— MSG (@TheGarden) September 21, 2018
The legendary Paul Simon has been homeward bound on his ‘Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour’ all year, and he’s finally here, having played his first of three NYC shows last night (9/20). He opened with the Simon & Garfunkel classic “America,” and went on to play a 26-song set (two encores included) with many more classics from both Simon & Garfunkel and his solo career. He did “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” “Mother and Child Reunion,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” “You Can Call Me Al,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Graceland,” “Homeward Bound,” “The Boxer,” “The Sound of Silence,” and many others. Before playing “American Tune” in the final encore, Paul asked the crowd, “Strange times we’re living in huh?” And then added, “Don’t give up,” and was met by huge cheers.
Fellow folk icon Joan Baez was spotted in the crowd, and apparently Paul apologized that Joan didn’t have a better seat. (Joan’s own farewell tour includes NYC shows at Beacon Theatre tonight and Saturday.)
Check out a bunch of videos and the setlist from last night below. Rhymin’ Simon’s tour continues tonight (9/21) at MSG and ends on Saturday (9/22) in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which is billed as his last show ever. Both are sold out but resale tickets are available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP1ld7jTQfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXgz1OGrOvU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgWmWBnk3xg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gB9PaNAmjM
The entire crowd sings along to “The Boxer” with Paul Simon one last time. It’s an emotional climax to a night that will forever be enshrined in the history of The Garden. And it’s only the first of two nights! #PaulSimonMSG pic.twitter.com/vJQI8eZKRx
— MSG (@TheGarden) September 21, 2018
Everyone enjoying Paul Simon tonight at MSG takes me back to seeing him in Philly three months ago. Honestly one of the greatest shows I've seen. ♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/Uvq1WlKJTi
— Jelli Oswald (@thisisjelli) September 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/1042946839417430016
Paul Simon at MSG – 9/20/18 Setlist (via)
America (Simon & Garfunkel song)
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 (Simon & Garfunkel song)
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 (Simon & Garfunkel song)
Kodachrome
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel song)
American Tune
The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel song)