Paul Simon, photo by Stevo Rood

Paul Simon concluded his farewell tour in 2018. Shortly afterwards, the legendary singer-songwriter revealed that he’d been afflicted by sudden and severe hearing loss in his left ear, which worsened rapidly during the recording of his 2023 album Seven Psalms to the point where he became all but incapable of performing. In February, after a seven-year absence from the spotlight, Simon surprised listeners everywhere by announcing his A Quiet Celebration Tour, which includes 55 engagements at iconic venues across North America, made possible by advancements in assistive audio technology.

On Wednesday, July 9, Simon took the stage at Disney Hall in Los Angeles for the second of six shows in Southern California. In his triumphant return to the West Coast, the artist presented two sets that paired his powerful recent compositions with new arrangements of old favorites. At the iconic venue, specifically selected for its intimate space and exceptional acoustics, his performance was enabled by a partnership between the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss and his production team, who produced an innovative stage setup complete with moving monitors to surround him in sound.

In his first set, Simon presented the Golden State’s live debut of Seven Psalms, a project that encouraged him to overcome the odds against his return to the spotlight. Recorded entirely on acoustic instruments, the artist’s recent song cycle was released and performed as a continuous piece of music in seven movements, cultivating an immersive and deeply affecting listening experience. For the final two tracks, Simon was joined by his wife Edie Brickell, whose vocals supported a swell of emotion through “The Sacred Heart” and “Wait” into the set break.

Simon’s second act was a moving and energetic hit collection of his biggest hits, including “Graceland,” “Slip Slidin’ Away,” “The Late Great Johnny Ace,” “Under African Skies,” “Rewrite,” “The Cool, Cool River” and a set-closing “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” with  Brickell. For an encore, he returned with “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” then concluded with the Simon & Garfunkel essentials “The Boxer” and “The Sound of Silence.”

Get an inside look at Simon’s landmark performance in the gallery below, courtesy of photographer Stevo Rood. Simon will return to the stage tonight at Disney Hall; find tickets and more information at paulsimon.com.