As anticipation builds for his sold-out "A Quiet Celebration" UK tour, legendary songwriter Paul Simon has announced a series of exclusive Pitchblack Playback listening sessions for his Grammy-nominated album, Seven Psalms. These events offer fans a rare opportunity to experience the record in total darkness, providing a meditative environment free from the distractions of the modern world.
The Pitchblack Playback concept, praised by industry titans like Rick Rubin and Jack White, utilizes uncompressed audio on world-class sound systems. By removing visual stimuli, the audience is encouraged to undergo a deep, immersive listening journey. Seven Psalms is uniquely suited for this format; the album is a continuous 33-minute suite designed as a singular, hymnal experience. The acoustic arrangements and Simon’s tender vocals are brought to the forefront, allowing every intricate detail and profound lyrical turn to resonate with new clarity.
The sessions will take place this May in Liverpool, Glasgow, and London. Each venue has been carefully selected for its superior acoustics and will feature a mini-exhibition documenting Simon’s historic performances in the UK. Adding to the excitement, the first 25 fans at each venue to purchase a ticket and album bundle will receive a signed copy of Seven Psalms.
These listening sessions run alongside Simon’s highly anticipated UK tour dates. Each live performance will begin with a full presentation of Seven Psalms, followed by an intermission and a second half consisting of career-spanning hits and rarely performed gems. The tour features a world-class ensemble, including long-time collaborators like bassist Bakithi Kumalo and drummer Steve Gadd.
Reviews from the North American leg of the tour have been superlative, with Rolling Stone describing it as a "victory lap for one of the greatest songwriters of the past century." While the live dates are currently sold out, these immersive listening sessions provide a unique alternative for fans to connect with Simon’s latest masterwork in its purest form.
May Pitchblack Playback Dates:
6th: Liverpool, Royal Philharmonic Music Room
8th: Glasgow, The Planetarium
12th: London, Regent Street Cinema
