Simon and Garfunkel's Asian Tour Locations

In February of 2009, Art Garfunkel made a surprise appearance at a Paul Simon concert in New York. They performed three of their classic songs together and announced that they would tour in the summer of 2009; the Old Friends tour would see them travel to Japan together for the third and final time. Along with several Japanese venues, this most recent tour also included locations in New Zealand and Australia.

Japan tour dates

Simon & Garfunkel played their first Japanese gig of the 21st century at the Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan on July 8, 2009. They continued on to a concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on July 10 and July 11. They performed at Osaka Dome in Osaka on the 13th of July, with their final Japanese date on July 15, 2009 in Nippon Bodukan, back in Tokyo.

Set list openers

Paul, Art and the band that they assembled for their Japanese dates started off the Old Friends tour shows with the songs "Old Friends/Bookends" and "A Hazy Shade of Winter." Next up were the well-known classic "I Am a Rock," "America," and "Kathy's Song." They rounded out the opening of the show with "Hey, Schoolgirl," a cover of the Everly Brothers' "Be Bop a Lula," "Scarborough Fair" and the essential "Homeward Bound."

Post-intermission Songs

After the intermission at the Old Friends Japanese Tour dates, the band warmed up the crowds with "Mrs Robinson," followed by Mr. Simon's song "Slip Slidin' Away," and the group's "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)." Next up were a trio of Garfunkle's tunes: "Bright Eyes," "A Heart in New York" and "Perfect Moment." Following that came another trio of Simon's songs: "The Boy in the Bubble," "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes," and the rather famous "Still Crazy After All These Years." The band wrapped up the main performances with their collective songs "The Only Living Boy in New York," "My Little Town" and the classic "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."

Encore tunes

Simon & Garfunkel played encores at each of their Japanese dates, including the wildly popular "The Sound of Silence," "The Boxer" and its reprise, "Leaves That Are Green," and, finally, "Cecilia" and its reprise. They also brought out and introduced all of the members of the band to fans.

Anyone can see that Simon & Garfunkle went all out for their Japanese tour in 2009. They gave fans their all, drawing from their collective musical past as well as bringing out individually written and performed songs. These shows included a long and well-chosen set list.