Who doesn’t love the timeless music of Paul Simon?
Since catching his reunion show in Central Park back in the early 80s, I’ve been lucky enough to see Paul Simon perform several times. But this concert was extra special. It was billed as the final show of his last tour, and playing at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park felt like a homecoming for Paul, who went to high school in Forest Hills and attended Queens College. This was his crowd, his people.
My friends and I were ready for a memorable night. We parked at Citi Field and walked to the park entrance. Despite arriving early, we couldn’t snag a spot close to the stage and ended up in the back. We had VIP tickets, which promised access to better bathrooms and more food options, but little did we know what was in store.
The Pre-Concert Chaos
After settling on a spot, the boys headed off around 6:15 pm to grab food while my friend Madeline and I stayed with the blanket. We kept ourselves entertained, even snapping a goofy photo “with” Paul Simon (okay, maybe just his picture).
Unfortunately, the food situation quickly went downhill. With only three food booths set up to serve thousands of concertgoers, the lines moved at a snail’s pace. To make matters worse, some people were ordering absurd amounts of food, like six pizzas at once, further stalling the process.
The concert kicked off at 7 p.m., but by then, my husband Brian was still stuck in the pizza line, and Steve, our friend, was on the sandwich line! An hour into the concert, they finally made it back with food in hand. The lack of planning and insufficient vendors were disappointing, especially since we had paid for those VIP perks.
The Music That Made It All Worthwhile
Despite the frustrating start, Paul Simon’s performance made everything else fade into the background. He opened the night with the classic Simon & Garfunkel song “America,” followed by “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.
Even though Paul seemed a little low-energy at first, he warmed up as the night went on. By the time he got to “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” the entire crowd was up and dancing, and the park was electric.
His first encore included hits like “Late in the Evening,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” and “Graceland.” The audience was buzzing, hoping for rumored guest appearances from Billy Joel or Art Garfunkel, but no special guests made it to the stage.
For the second and final encore, Paul closed with a medley of iconic tracks, including “Homeward Bound,” “Kodachrome,” “The Boxer,” “American Tune,” and, of course, “The Sound of Silence.” His voice sounded just as smooth and clear as it did 30 years ago when I first heard him live. It was a nostalgic, emotional performance that had the crowd swaying and singing along.
A Flushing Meadows Performance to Remember
Paul Simon’s final concert at Flushing Meadows was an experience I’ll never forget. From the heartfelt music to the electric atmosphere, it was a night filled with love for a legendary artist who gave us many timeless songs.
That said, the organization left a lot to be desired. The food lines were a mess, and the VIP perks that we paid for didn’t feel worth it. But even with those hiccups, hearing Paul Simon live one last time was worth every frustration. His music has an unmatched ability to bring people together, creating a sense of magic and connection that makes the evening unforgettable.
If this was Paul Simon’s swansong, he ended on a high note, sending us all home humming the tunes of a lifetime.
