Paul Simon Cancels Philadelphia Concerts Due to Back Pain, Will Undergo ‘Minor Medical Procedure’

Paul Simon has canceled two concerts this weekend, according to a statement released just hours before a performance scheduled for Saturday night (June 28) at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Simon was set to play the venue both Saturday and Sunday night.

“Regretfully, Paul Simon must cancel two shows tonight June 28 and tomorrow night June 29 — at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music,” read the statement, which can be found on Simon’s Instagram account. “Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain. Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention. Unfortunately we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don’t have the ability to reschedule them.”

“We are hopeful after this minor surgical procedure which has been scheduled in the next few days, Paul will be able to complete the tour as well as look into returning to make up these dates,” the memo said.

The message instructed ticketholders for Simon’s June 28-29 concerts, which were a part of his A Quiet Celebration Tour, to “please go to your point of purchase or local ticket provider for a full refund.”

Though Simon, 83, had indicated his tour back in 2018 was a farewell tour — at the time, he’d said he was suffering from significant hearing loss — in February 2025, he announced a spring/summer tour after making an appearance on the televised SNL50 celebration (singing “Homeward Bound” with Sabrina Carpenter).

Simon’s 2025 tour, which made it to New York City just before Philadelphia, began in April and has dates scheduled through early August. At press time, his next tour date is in Long Beach, California, on July 7, followed by stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Seattle.