It’s quite a rare occasion in which one can be self aware they are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event. Simon & Garfunkel playing the stages of Sydney almost 40 years after they first split up is one such moment. For myself, it’s the first opportunity I’ve ever had to see the legendary duo, and it will undoubtedly be the last. Together, this is last time they’ll be making it to our shores, and most likely outside of North America entirely. Once-in-a-lifetime indeed. Well, thrice-in-a-lifetime if you planned on attending all three Acer Arena shows… tonight’s performance being the first.
With all this knowledge preceding the event, a “magical evening” was no doubt the expectation. And I think it’s fair to say that both Simon and Garfunkel delivered, with goosebumps and chills down the spine-a-plenty. Tears even built up as their introductory video played on stage, after which they walked on to perform the set opener “Old Friends”. They were soon accompanied by a 10 piece ensemble to perform “A Hazy Shade of Winter” which, with the full band on hand, blew everyone away. Some 50 years on, they were still providing a second-to-none performance.
With the primary backing screen failing as soon as the set started, there were no doubt a few people up the back who experienced a little less. But with the crowd nothing but respectful to the history that was on the stage, you could have heard a pin drop during the quieter numbers. Whether you were up the back or the front, there may as well have not have been 12,000 people in the room at all. For a performance like this, you couldn’t ask for more.
Likewise, the sound was some of the best I’ve ever heard in the venue – or in Australia in general. Every note came through with absolute clarity (right in front of the stage anyway… I can’t attest for those up the back), and the supporting 10-piece band were nothing but extraordinary – perfectly accompanying both Simon and Garfunkel, while never overpowering them. It was their voices that were on show, but you still got more than your money’s worth with the supporting talent on hand as well.
We were told to expect a few surprises, and delivered with quite a few we were. Early on in the night, they played a version of a song they had written as 16 year olds, in which they were playing songs like their idols, The Everly Brothers; in a band they called “Tom & Jerry”. The song was called “Hey Schoolgirl” and was a fascinating insight into how they started out their careers. They followed this up with a cover of Gene Vincent’s “Be Bop a Lula” (as covered by The Everly Brothers). Some great fun, and Paul Simon was able to show off his skills on an absolutely beautiful 12 string.
Following a beautifully orchestrated version of “Mrs. Robinson” (a song which had obtained the most noticeable on-stage changes), Art Garfunkel performed 3 solo numbers – the first, “Slip Slidin’ Away” is well known from the Central Park concert album, however the other two “Bright Eyes” and “A Heart in New York” would have only been known by Garfunkel enthusiasts. And I think most would agree, it’s pretty clear why his solo career never took off – as he himself stated onstage – he didn’t even attempt songwriting until 5 years ago. That’s definitely Paul Simon’s gig. But Garfunkel’s voice was more than enough, and showed little signs of fading in the night’s performance.
But what beauty Simon provided in his solo years in comparison, which he showcased in fine fashion in his own 3 song solo set. First up was “Late in the Evening” from his 1980 album “One Trick Pony”. But with everyone in the crowd crossing their fingers for some Graceland tracks, the following two tracks delivered some of the loudest cheers of the night – and I think it’s fair to say that in pure energy of the performance given, “The Boy in the Bubble” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” stole the show. And it’s perfectly clear that this is the music Paul Simon enjoys playing the most, with his signature monotone (almost depressed) look replaced with quite a bit of glee.
And the supporting band, many of whom started playing with Paul Simon on Graceland, seemed to have just as much fun. And personally, all I wanted to do was get up and dance. I think we would have all been happy to hear Graceland in full at that point!
The remainder of the set was hit after hit after hit, with the first encore’s “Sounds of Silence” and “The Boxer” being of particular mention, especially the latter, as well as “The Only Living Boy in New York” (a personal favourite). But it was “Cecila” which was the surprising choice to close the 2 hour performance. And while it was a song I never thought too much of on album, like many other songs in the evening, it came off greatly improved on stage.
Sure there were songs everyone wanted to hear but didn’t – but we all heard more than we ever thought we would. A magical evening was expected, and delivered. I can’t think how much I would have regretted not attending this performance.
But don’t fret if you didn’t join me…! You have one last chance to catch this once-in-a-lifetime event – Tuesday night (which is tomorrow night if you’re reading this review the day I posted it) they’ll be saying farewell! I think it goes without saying that you have no excuse not to be there. I, myself, am already seriously pondering returning to the Acer Arena to make it s twice-in-a-lifetime event.
And to Simon & Garfunkel: thank you for giving your music one last run, for a whole new generation (or 2) to experience. One of the best musical evenings I’ve experienced – it was a night I’ll never forget.
