Paul Simon Is Coming Out of Retirement to Headline Outside Lands

Paul Simon is clearly not used to the sound of silence. The legendary singer-songwriter will headline Outside Lands in San Francisco on Sunday, Aug. 11, this year after announcing his retirement from touring in February 2018.

In his announcement last winter, the 77-year-old said he would still perform for charitable causes he supports, especially those committed to protecting our environment. Outside Lands is thus the perfect setting for him, considering that the festival is dedicated to preserving Golden Gate Park, has the highest waste diversion rate of any music festival in the U.S. and promotes sustainability. Simon will also be contributing all proceeds from his set closing out the festival to local environmental non-profit organization(s), which have not yet been announced.

The former half of Simon & Garfunkel, who released his album In the Blue Light last September, said of the special performance in an announcement:

I’m looking forward with great anticipation to playing at Golden Gate Park this summer. This will be my first appearance there, and it’s an honor to join the long line of musicians who’ve given the park its sanctified musical heritage. I’m equally pleased to be playing in San Francisco with its well-deserved reputation for being in the forefront of environmental issues. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be of service to this vital cause.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the full Outside Lands lineup on March 26 and listen to a 1979 performance of “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” from the Paste archives below.