Silencing the Sounds of Silence

Music legend Paul Simon announces Austin stop during farewell 2018 tour

Paul Simon says goodbye during his 2018 farewell tour.

Courtesy photo

If you're a fan of Paul Simon, it's time to grab Julio off that schoolyard and head to the Frank Erwin Center. The iconic singer-songwriter announced on February 5 that he is spending his summer conducting a worldwide farewell tour, and will be making a stop in Austin along the way.

Simon brings his "Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour" to the Frank Erwin Center on June 4. In addition to Austin, Simon will be making stops in Dallas on June 1 and Houston on June 2.

“I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to reach the point where I'd consider bringing my performing career to a natural end," Simon said in a release. "Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief."

Famous for such songs as The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, and You Can Call Me Al, Simon first rose to prominence in the 1960s as part of the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. After he and Art Garfunkel split ways in 1970, Simon continued a solo career, nabbing 12 Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Credited with helping shape modern American folk music, Simon has also won a Kennedy Center Honor, as well as a Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song alongside such luminaries as Willie Nelson, Carole King, Paul McCartney, and Smokey Robinson. He is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

"Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour" begins on May 16 in Vancouver, Canada and ends on July 15 in London. Tickets for the Texas dates of Simon's farewell tour go on sale on February 9 at 10 am. Information on ticketing will be available here closer to the on sale date.

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Music Notes

Black Books' album release show, plus more Austin live music picks

Photo courtesy of Black Books

Black Books to play the 13th Floor

Do yourself a favor and put off unfurling Christmas lights for a bit longer. Instead, Austinites can get out for some of the many great local shows happening in the first part of November. Recommendations await here.

Black Books at The 13th Floor – Thursday, November 7
Longtime indie rockers Black Books are set to ring in their new album, Eyes On The Mirror, Head In The Clouds, at the 13th Floor tonight, November 7. The Dead Canyon Family Reunion, who will be celebrating the release of their new single “You’re Gone,” and Chimes are also on the bill. Tickets for the show are $12.26.

Meanwhile Brewing Four Year Anniversary – November 8-10
Meanwhile Brewing will be celebrating their fourth anniversary with a series of events across this weekend from November 8-10. All of the shows are free and will also feature food pop-ups, vendor markets, and more. See here for the lineups:

November 8 - Luna Luna, Hey Cowboy, Deepstate (DJ Set)
November 9 - Golden Dawn Arkestra, Marry Cherry, Daydream Twins, Telecom, Wolf Bradley (DJ Set)
November 10 - Bidi Bidi Banda, Superfónicos, The Point, Dopez (DJ Set)

Great Hope Festival at Radio East – Saturday, November 9
Head to Radio East this Saturday, November 9, for The Great Hope Festival, which is in support of Heal, a local non-profit doing advocacy work for people affected by human trafficking. The event will have solo sets from Ben Kweller and Erika Wennerstrom, plus Lunar Gold and DJ Hoembodi will perform as well. Tickets are $24.54.

Geto Gala at Hotel Vegas – Every Tuesday in November
Jake Lloyd and Deezie Brown are Geto Gala, and you can catch the hip hop duo showcasing songs from their debut album, Major League, at Hotel Vegas every Tuesday this month. The shows will be $12 at the door, and the support for each one can be seen here:

November 12 - Los Desechos, Otis Wilkins
November 19 - Cha'Keeta B, Nubia Emmon
November 26 - Half Dream, Marxus Bell

KVRX 30th Anniversary at The Mohawk – Friday, November 15
Join KVRX at the Mohawk on Friday, November 15, as the radio station celebrates its 30th anniversary with a big lineup that features Garrett T. Capps & The NASA Country, TC Superstar, Gus Baldwin & The Sketch, Matador Sphere, and DJ Gross Y'all. There will also be limited, screen-printed KVRX shirts from FSG Prints and special edition KVRX-dawgs from Grandpa's Glizzy's. Tickets are $20.

Love Is For Evermore at Radio East – Sunday, November 17
Sunday, November 17, is the date that Radio East will host the second annual Love Is For Evermore (LIFE) benefit concert with the Bright Light Social Hour, Parker Woodland, and the Squirrel Show. Tickets for the show are $25 and proceeds will go towards Evermore, which aims to advance social change for bereaved people.