Why did Paul Simon cancel Philadelphia concerts? Singer shares health update

Paul Simon has cancelled his two upcoming concerts in Philadelphia that were scheduled for this weekend due to health issues.

According to an Instagram post shared on his official account on June 28, 2025, Simon has been dealing with "chronic and intense back pain". His post read:

“Regretfully, Paul Simon must cancel two shows tonight June 28 and tomorrow night June 19 – at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music. 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. However, 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 post further indicated that those who have purchased the tickets for his performance will be receiving a full refund. However, a report in The Hollywood Reporter noted that it is uncertain when he will be able to resume his A Quiet Celebration Tour, which started in early April.

Here is what we know.

Paul Simon has struggled with hearing in the past

A 2023 report in Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that Paul Simon struggled with hearing in the past. The 83-year-old singer-songwriter who announced his farewell tour in 2018 revealed that he has lost most of his hearing in the left ear, a report in Ultimate Classic Rock stated. He said:

“Nobody has an explanation for it. So everything became more difficult. My reaction to that was frustration and annoyance; not quite anger yet, because I thought it would pass, it would repair itself.”

During that time, he was working on his 15th solo album, Seven Psalms. He told Mojo during a 2024 interview:

“And that’s literally a lifesaver because I haven’t figured out how to perform with the hearing loss. I’ve tried to rehearse with the guys in my touring band, to see if I could manage it. I can’t so far. This is at least an outlet for thinking musically.”

According to a report in Newsweek, he sought help from Stanford Medicine's Palo Alto, California, program facility to cure his hearing loss.

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In February 2025, Paul Simon announced the A Quiet Celebration tour after his retirement in 2018. The tour supports his 2023 album Seven Psalms, featuring intimate shows designed to manage his hearing loss while delivering a live set for fans.

According to the tour dates shared on his social media account, Simon’s Philadelphia concerts were supposed to be held on June 26, 2025, June 28, 2025, and June 29, 2025. His next scheduled show is on Monday, July 7, in Long Beach, California. It is followed by concerts in Disney Hall, California, on July 9, 11, 12, 14, and 16. In addition to this, Simon is scheduled to perform in San Francisco, Vancouver, and Seattle.

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