I had traveled to Auckland to see Paul Simon already – as part of Simon & Garfunkel. And it was great, and special and all of that, but I really wanted to see Paul Simon (not just because I had seen Art Garfunkel solo already). Midway through that show when Paul Simon did a solo bracket with his band I felt he really came alive, took on a different energy – this is who he was now, the Simon & Garfunkel reunion thing was a way of helping out his old pal/sparring partner, but wasn’t really anything he cared too much about.

Still, I figured I’d got my one chance to see him live. And it had been good. Great even.

Then, a few years on, it’s announced that Paul Simon is going to play New Zealand and I didn’t think I’d be able to swing it. But I made it. And it was whirlwind really – I arrived in the afternoon, delays to both the flight and the cab from the airport. I had a couple of hours to hang with my young nephew. And then to the show. Got back from the gig – stayed up half the night at my brother’s place writing the review of the gig and then my usual work – the daily blog, catching up on stuff, etc. Then a couple of hours sleep, a ride into town, a shuttle to the airport. And back home in time to collect my boy from his daycare.

It’s a grind going up and back for a gig. But we do it when we really love the artist. And Paul Simon was as great in 2013 as Paul Simon in 2013 could have been. It was well worth it.
Stubs is an occasional feature here at Off The Tracks – looking back through the ticket-stub box and remembering how the show went down.