Paul Simon
Hollywood Bowl

What to Expect at Paul Simon's Hollywood Bowl Concert

Paul Simon's A Quiet Celebration concerts have earned rapturous reviews from audiences and critics alike. The two-part format creates a distinctive concert arc: the first half's continuous, meditative Seven Psalms performance gives way to a second-half celebration of Simon's timeless catalog. Based on the 2025 tour, the second set has typically included songs like “Slip Slidin' Away,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Graceland,” “Under African Skies,” and “Spirit Voices,” along with Simon & Garfunkel favorites “Homeward Bound,” “The Boxer,” and a solo acoustic closer of “The Sound of Silence.” Edie Brickell joins Simon for several numbers including duets on Seven Psalms tracks and a reimagined “Under African Skies.”

Paul Simon's 2026 A Quiet Celebration Tour Dates

The Hollywood Bowl show is one of 20 North American dates on Paul Simon's 2026 summer tour. All performances take place at scenic outdoor amphitheaters:

1. June 4 – Frost Amphitheater, Palo Alto, CA
2. June 7 – Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA – Get Tickets
3. June 9 – Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CA
4. June 12–13 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (two nights)
5. June 16 – Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO
6. June 18 – PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati, OH
7. June 20 – Meadow Brook Amphitheater, Rochester Hills, MI
8. June 23 – Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
9. June 25 – RBC Amphitheater, Toronto, Canada
10. June 27 – Tanglewood, Lenox, MA
11. June 30 – BankNH Pavilion, Gilford, NH
12. July 3 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
13. July 5 – The Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA
14. July 8 – Forest Hills Stadium, Forest Hills, NY
15. July 11 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park, Raleigh, NC
16. July 13 – Chastain Park Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA
17. July 15 – FirstBank Amphitheatre, Franklin, TN
18. July 17 – Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL
19. July 18 – Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL

How to Buy Paul Simon Hollywood Bowl Tickets

1. Visit the event listing – Click the ticket link above or browse the events section on this page to access the June 7 Hollywood Bowl show.
2. Browse available seats – View listings from verified resellers across all sections of the Hollywood Bowl, from Garden Boxes to Terrace seating.
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4. Complete your secure purchase – All transactions are encrypted and backed by BigStub's buyer protection and verified seller authentication.
5. Plan your Bowl evening – Gates open at 6:00 PM. Arrive early to enjoy the picnic areas and soak in the atmosphere before the 8:00 PM start.

Paul Simon: A Living Legend's Career

Paul Frederic Simon, born October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, is one of the most honored songwriters in popular music history. His partnership with Art Garfunkel produced timeless albums including Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970), which spent 10 weeks at number one and has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. As a solo artist, Simon has continually reinvented his sound, from the genre-defying Graceland (1986)—which infused African musical textures and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year—to the Brazilian-influenced The Rhythm of the Saints (1990). Over his career, Simon has won 16 Grammy Awards (including three for Album of the Year, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Recording Academy's first Gershwin Prize for Musical Achievement). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—as a member of Simon & Garfunkel in 1990 and as a solo artist in 2001.

About Seven Psalms

Seven Psalms, released in May 2023, is a deeply personal 33-minute continuous composition divided into seven interconnected movements. The album addresses themes of faith, doubt, mortality, and grace with a whisper-soft intimacy that stands apart from anything else in Simon's catalog. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards and received widespread critical praise. At the Hollywood Bowl, hearing this meditative work under an open sky as the sun sets over the hills promises to be a transcendent experience unique to the outdoor venue.

Getting to the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before showtime. Several transportation options help avoid parking congestion: the Bowl Shuttle offers direct service from multiple locations, Metro's Red Line stops at Hollywood/Highland station (with a shuttle connection to the Bowl), and Park & Ride lots are available at various satellite locations. For rideshare services, the designated drop-off and pick-up point is at 6655 Odin Street. The venue's 14 picnic areas are a beloved pre-show tradition; for this lease event, outside food and factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages (1 liter or less) are welcome, though outside alcohol is not permitted.

Paul Simon at the Hollywood Bowl: Frequently Asked Questions

When is Paul Simon performing at the Hollywood Bowl in 2026?

Paul Simon performs at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 8:00 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM, giving concertgoers two hours to settle in, enjoy the picnic areas, and take in the atmosphere before the show begins. This is currently the only scheduled Paul Simon performance at the Hollywood Bowl for the 2026 season.

What is the A Quiet Celebration Tour?

A Quiet Celebration is Paul Simon's ongoing concert tour that began in 2025, marking his return to live performance after announcing retirement in 2018 due to hearing loss. The concerts are presented in two parts: a complete performance of his 2023 album Seven Psalms in the first half, followed by a career-spanning set of greatest hits and deep cuts after an intermission. The tour uses a lower-volume sound approach that preserves the intimate quality of Simon's music.

What songs will Paul Simon play at the Hollywood Bowl?

Based on the 2025 A Quiet Celebration Tour setlists, the first half features the complete Seven Psalms album performed as a continuous 33-minute piece. The second half typically includes a mix of classics and deep cuts such as “Slip Slidin' Away,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Graceland,” “Under African Skies,” “Spirit Voices,” “Train in the Distance,” “Homeward Bound,” and “The Boxer,” with a solo acoustic performance of “The Sound of Silence” as the final encore.

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

Paul Simon's 2026 touring band is an 11-piece ensemble featuring 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 keys, Matt Chamberlin on drums, Nancy Stagnitta on flute, Caleb Burhans on viola, and Eugene Friesen on cello. The band brings a rich, chamber-music quality that honors the delicacy of Seven Psalms and the rhythmic complexity of Simon's world-music catalog.

Is Paul Simon retired?

Paul Simon announced his retirement from touring in 2018 with the Homeward Bound: The Farewell Tour, citing hearing issues that made amplified concert performance difficult. However, those issues were substantially resolved, leading him to return with the A Quiet Celebration Tour in 2025, which included over 50 shows. The 2026 summer tour extends that comeback with 20 more dates at outdoor amphitheaters across North America, plus European dates earlier in the spring.

How long is the Paul Simon Hollywood Bowl concert?

Based on the 2025 tour format, a Paul Simon A Quiet Celebration concert typically runs approximately two to two and a half hours, including a brief intermission between the Seven Psalms set and the second-half greatest hits performance. The first half runs about 33 minutes continuously, with the second half comprising roughly 12 to 15 songs.

What time do gates open at the Hollywood Bowl for Paul Simon?

Gates open at 6:00 PM for the Paul Simon concert on June 7, 2026. The Hollywood Bowl recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before showtime to allow time for parking, transportation, and settling into your seats. Many concertgoers arrive when gates open to enjoy the picnic areas and the atmosphere before the 8:00 PM start.

Can I bring food to the Hollywood Bowl?

For the Paul Simon concert, which is a Live Nation lease event, outside food and factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages of 1 liter or less are welcome. Outside alcohol is not permitted for lease events. The Hollywood Bowl also offers on-site dining, food trucks, and concessions throughout the venue. The 14 picnic areas around the Bowl are a cherished pre-show tradition and open when gates do at 6:00 PM.

How do I get to the Hollywood Bowl?

The Hollywood Bowl recommends public transportation to avoid parking congestion. Options include the Bowl Shuttle (direct service from various locations), the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland station with a shuttle connection, and Park and Ride lots at satellite locations. Rideshare drop-off and pick-up is at 6655 Odin Street. If driving, on-site parking is limited and sells out quickly for popular shows.

Are Paul Simon Hollywood Bowl tickets available on BigStub?

Yes, Paul Simon Hollywood Bowl tickets for the June 7, 2026, performance are available through BigStub. As a trusted resale marketplace with over 20 years in business and the highest Trustpilot rating among ticket sellers, BigStub provides all-in pricing with no hidden fees, verified resellers, and secure buyer protection on every purchase.

What are the best seats at the Hollywood Bowl for Paul Simon?

The Hollywood Bowl seating ranges from Garden Boxes (closest to the stage) through Terrace sections that rise up the hillside. For a Paul Simon concert, which emphasizes intimacy and musical nuance, Garden Boxes and Pool Circle seats offer the most immersive experience. Super Seats and Terrace 1 provide excellent sightlines with somewhat more affordable pricing. Even the upper Terrace sections offer a memorable experience thanks to the Bowl's natural acoustics and the magic of an open-air performance under the stars.

Is the Hollywood Bowl concert part of a larger Paul Simon tour?

Yes, the Hollywood Bowl date on June 7 is one of 20 North American stops on Paul Simon's 2026 A Quiet Celebration Tour. The summer leg runs from June 4 in Palo Alto, California, through July 18 and 19 at Ravinia Festival near Chicago. Simon is also performing a European tour in the spring of 2026 before the North American dates begin. All 2026 performances take place at outdoor amphitheaters.

What is Paul Simon's Seven Psalms album?

Seven Psalms is Paul Simon's most recent studio album, released in May 2023. It is a 33-minute continuous composition divided into seven interconnected movements that address themes of faith, mortality, doubt, and grace. The album was nominated for two Grammy Awards and marked Simon's first new studio material since 2016's Stranger to Stranger. At A Quiet Celebration concerts, the album is performed in its entirety as the opening set, creating a meditative experience that many fans have described as deeply moving.

Does Paul Simon play Simon & Garfunkel songs in concert?

Yes, though selectively. Based on the 2025 tour, Simon typically includes a small number of Simon and Garfunkel songs in the second half of his set. “Homeward Bound” has appeared early in the second set, “The Boxer” has served as the opening encore, and “The Sound of Silence” has been performed as a solo acoustic finale. The bulk of the concert focuses on his extensive solo catalog, reflecting the breadth of his post-Garfunkel career.

Will there be a Paul Simon Hollywood Bowl concert in future years?

As of now, only the June 7, 2026, date has been announced for the Hollywood Bowl. Given Simon's age and the history of his touring retirement, each concert carries a sense of occasion. Whether additional Hollywood Bowl dates will be added in the future has not been confirmed, making this 2026 appearance an especially meaningful opportunity for Southern California fans.

Official Paul Simon Links & Resources

• Paul Simon Official Website
• Hollywood Bowl – Paul Simon Event Page
• Ticketmaster – Paul Simon Hollywood Bowl
• Live Nation – Paul Simon
• Hollywood Bowl Official Website
• Paul Simon on Spotify
• Paul Simon on Wikipedia
• JamBase – Paul Simon Hollywood Bowl