Photos: Paul Simon brought A Quiet Celebration to The Midland Saturday night

Daniel Fuchs,
Paul Simon Midland Theatre 28

Paul Simon // Photo by Dnaiel Fuchs

Paul Simon
The Midland
Saturday, April 26

On Saturday, April 26, Paul Simon took the stage at Kansas City’s Midland Theatre to thunderous applause and the first of several standing ovations. The sold-out crowd was warmly welcomed by Simon himself before the show’s contemplative first act: a complete, uninterrupted performance of his 2023 album, Seven Psalms. The meditative suite unfolded seamlessly, with each piece introduced by projections on the screen behind the band, underscoring the spiritual and narrative arc of the work. Simon’s wife and fellow artist, Edie Brickell, joined him for two of the album’s highlights—“The Sacred Harp” and “Wait”—bringing a tender, intimate energy to the performance.

Following the intermission, Simon and the band kicked off Act 2 with “Graceland”—the title track from the 1986 album of the same name. The crowd sang along to a slate of hits spanning Simon’s impressive career, including songs from his stint with Art Garfunkel. The A Quite Celebration Tour brought a warm energy to the theatre that had audience members dancing and singing in their seats. The night was appropriately capped off with “The Sound of Silence.” While the hit song brings a somber finish to a wonderful set, the crowd was anything but. Paul Simon was sent off to another well-deserved round of applause and a standing ovation.

All photos by Daniel Fuchs:

Paul Simon Setlist
Set 1:
Seven Psalms
The Lord
Love Is Like A Braid
My Professional Opinion
Your Forgiveness
Trail of Volcanoes
The Sacred Harp (with Edie Brickell)
Wait (with Edie Brickell)

Set 2:
Graceland
Slip Slidin’ Away
Train in the Distance
Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel song)
The Late Great Johnny Ace
St. Judy’s Comet
Under African Skies (with Edie Brickell)
Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War
Spirit Voices
Mother and Child Reunion
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Encore
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel song)
The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel song)

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