Art Garfunkel reveals reason for postponing UK tour: respiratory infection halts four October concerts
American singer Art Garfunkel, one of the most recognizable voices in popular music and a former member of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, has explained why he will not perform four scheduled concerts in the United Kingdom. The 84-year-old musician was diagnosed with a respiratory infection while preparing for the performances, and his doctor recommended rest and recovery. As a result, concerts scheduled between October 13 and 19, 2026, in Watford, Manchester, Wolverhampton and London have been postponed. According to a statement from the concert organizers, efforts are underway to arrange new dates, but none had been confirmed as of October 11. Attendees are being advised to retain their previously purchased tickets until further information becomes available.
Garfunkel's explanation, reported by music magazine NME on October 10, followed the initial postponement announcements, which had not specified a medical reason. His statement clarified the circumstances behind the decision made shortly before the UK leg of the "What a Wonderful World" tour was due to begin. The singer also expressed regret over the canceled appearances and indicated that he hopes to return to his audience as soon as his health allows. However, no date has been announced for his return to the stage, nor has a precise estimate been given for the length of his recovery. The distinction between an announced postponement and a confirmed rescheduled concert therefore remains important for everyone who had planned to travel or attend one of the four venues.
From the initial postponement announcement to confirmation of the respiratory infection
On Thursday, October 8, organizers announced that Garfunkel would be unable to perform as originally planned, citing unforeseen circumstances. As The Independent reported at the time, further details about the reason were unavailable, and fans were informed that alternative dates were being sought. That announcement offered no basis for determining whether the problem involved health, production difficulties or some other obstacle. The singer's subsequently released statement resolved the main uncertainty: the interruption to the planned performances was caused by a health issue. Only after this clarification did it become clear why the entire series of four UK appearances could not proceed as scheduled.
In a statement reported by Maximum Volume Music on October 9 and by NME the following day, Garfunkel described how he had almost postponed an earlier medical appointment because of rehearsals. According to the singer, his wife Kim insisted that he attend the appointment after all. The examination revealed a respiratory infection, and he was advised to rest rather than continue preparing for and performing concerts. The singer has not publicly disclosed details about the cause of the infection, the severity of his symptoms or any treatment he may be receiving. There is therefore no basis for claims about a specific illness, hospitalization or possible long-term consequences that were not mentioned in his statement.
Which concerts have been postponed, and where were they supposed to take place?
The four performances were scheduled over the course of one week, beginning with a concert in Watford and ending with an appearance at London's Royal Albert Hall. An official announcement from Watford Colosseum and information provided by ticketing platform Ticketmaster confirm that each event is marked as postponed, with no replacement date. The affected performances are:
- October 13, 2026 – Watford, Watford Colosseum.
- October 15, 2026 – Manchester, Opera House.
- October 17, 2026 – Wolverhampton, University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall.
- October 19, 2026 – London, Royal Albert Hall.
These are four separate concerts, not a single event whose date has been changed. The original schedule called for Garfunkel to perform in different cities, meaning organizers must now find suitable available dates at each venue. The exact order of any replacement performances is not yet known. Likewise, there has been no confirmation of whether all the concerts will remain within the same period or be distributed across different parts of the concert season. Until new dates are announced, October 13, 15, 17 and 19 serve solely to identify the postponed concerts.
Garfunkel's message: he wants to sing again as soon as his health allows
In his message, the singer paid particular attention to his relationship with audiences. He emphasized how much it means to him that people still want to hear him perform live at this stage of his life and how deeply he is affected by the prospect of disappointing them through the postponement. He stressed that singing before an audience remains one of his greatest sources of satisfaction. His tone was personal, but he also addressed the practical issue of returning: performances can be arranged once he has recovered and theaters or concert halls have available dates. This wording indicates that the continuation of the tour depends not only on medical advice but also on coordinating concert schedules.
At the same time, Garfunkel sought to reassure his audience, saying that he is receiving appropriate care and expects to recover. He did not announce his retirement from music and concluded his message by thanking fans for their understanding and support. Nevertheless, his wish to return soon is not the same as confirmation that he will be ready to perform on any particular date. This is precisely why organizers are currently unable to announce a definitive schedule for the replacement concerts. For fans who planned to attend in October, the most important development is that the reason for the postponement has been clarified, while what happens next depends on the singer's health.
What should ticket holders do?
Organizers of the UK concerts have advised buyers to keep their original tickets. The announcement accompanying Garfunkel's statement indicated that previously purchased tickets would remain valid for the new dates once they have been arranged. The official Watford Colosseum website also explicitly asks attendees to retain their tickets and await further information. Ticketmaster currently lists all four UK events as postponed, without assigned replacement dates. This means that the postponement itself is not an instruction to purchase tickets again or exchange them before an official announcement.
At the same time, no single, definitive refund procedure has been announced for all four UK venues. Refund options, deadlines and the handling of reservations may depend on the sales channel and the conditions set by individual organizers, so it would be inappropriate to present them in advance as identical for every buyer. People who may be unable to travel on the new dates should follow announcements from the official venue and the ticket seller through which they made their purchase. Particular attention should be paid to messages sent to the email address used when purchasing tickets. A concert postponement also does not automatically mean that transportation, hotel or other services purchased separately will be reimbursed as part of the same booking.
Wider European tour: Hamburg concert canceled, Paris still on the schedule
Although the main announcement concerns four UK concerts, the changes are not limited to the United Kingdom. The official website of Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie has marked the performance scheduled for October 24 as canceled and explicitly stated that no replacement date will be arranged for that event. Information about refund options for ticket buyers has also been published there. This status differs from that of the UK concerts, which have so far been postponed with the intention of finding new dates. The distinction matters to audiences because there is no replacement date to await for Hamburg in the same way as for Watford, Manchester, Wolverhampton and London.
On the official website of the Paris Olympia, Art Garfunkel's concert remains listed for October 21, 2026, although tickets are currently unavailable through that website. The same date also appears on the official performance schedule published on Garfunkel's website. The mere presence of an event in a calendar does not guarantee that it will take place, particularly following the confirmed infection and changes affecting other European venues. As of October 11, these announcements do not provide a reliable basis for determining whether the Paris performance will proceed as planned. Attendees should therefore follow direct communications from the venue and organizers rather than draw conclusions about the French event from the status of neighboring concerts.
"What a Wonderful World" tour conceived as a celebration of a remarkable career
The UK performances were announced as concert evenings dedicated to Garfunkel's long career, featuring songs he made famous as part of Simon & Garfunkel as well as his solo successes. According to announcements from promoter AEG Presents and information from Watford Colosseum, the program centers on his distinctive voice and a repertoire spanning several decades. Among the songs for which he is internationally renowned are "The Sound of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". His solo career has produced recordings such as "All I Know", "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "Bright Eyes". However, organizers have not published a single definitive setlist applicable to all four now-postponed performances.
Unlike large-scale productions built around stage effects, Garfunkel's performances have traditionally focused on the interpretation of songs and his manner of delivering them. This concert concept relies heavily on vocal performance, making the artist's health and readiness particularly important to the presentation of the announced program. Promotional materials emphasize that he is accompanied by his backing band on the tour. The main attraction, however, remains the collection of songs audiences know from the folk-rock era of the 1960s and his later discography. This combination helps explain why UK venues were included in the international concert schedule of a musician now in his ninth decade of life.
From Simon & Garfunkel to eight Grammy Awards
Art Garfunkel achieved international fame singing alongside Paul Simon in one of the most important American musical duos of the second half of the 20th century. Their vocal harmonies and songs such as "The Sound of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson" had a profound influence on popular music in the 1960s, while the 1970 album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" became one of the defining releases of their work together. Following their split, the two musicians pursued separate careers, occasionally reuniting. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted Simon & Garfunkel in 1990, recognizing their enduring significance in music history. Garfunkel's distinctive vocal interpretation remains an integral part of the legacy of those recordings.
According to official records maintained by the American Recording Academy, Garfunkel has won eight Grammy Awards and received thirteen nominations. Simon & Garfunkel also received the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. During his solo career, Garfunkel recorded albums including "Angel Clare", "Breakaway" and "Watermark", developing a repertoire that partly differed from the songs he performed with Simon. He also pursued acting, appearing in the films "Catch-22" and "Carnal Knowledge". The breadth of his career helps explain why his concerts continue to attract audiences from different generations, even decades after his first major successes.
Earlier vocal problems do not explain the current infection
Garfunkel has previously spoken publicly about health difficulties related to singing, but that information should not be confused with his current diagnosis. In an interview published by the Recording Academy in 2014, he recalled a vocal cord mobility problem diagnosed in 2010 and the lengthy process of regaining his voice. He described the uncertainty surrounding whether he would ever be able to sing again in the way he was accustomed to. His subsequent recovery allowed him to resume concert activities. There is no confirmation that the difficulties from that period are connected in any way to the respiratory infection responsible for the current postponements.
According to the singer's latest statement, his doctor recommended time for recovery rather than specifying a number of days before his return. This remains the only relevant medical recommendation publicly disclosed in connection with the UK dates. Any more precise prediction about his ability to perform would be speculation, as would any claim that the postponement signals permanent changes to his career. What organizers have confirmed is their intention to find replacement dates for the four UK venues. A final decision on the resumption of concerts can only be established through a new official announcement. Until then, existing tickets should be retained and information from the venues checked regularly.
Sources:
- NME – October 10, 2026 report on the diagnosis, the singer's statement and the postponed concerts (link)
- The Independent – initial announcement of the postponement of UK concerts on October 8, 2026 (link)
- Maximum Volume Music – Garfunkel's statement and organizers' information regarding tickets (link)
- Watford Colosseum – official announcement concerning the four postponed concerts and instructions for ticket holders (link)
- Ticketmaster UK – current status and locations of the UK concert events (link)
- Elbphilharmonie Hamburg – official confirmation of the cancellation of the October 24 concert without a replacement date (link)
- L'Olympia, Paris – published date of the Paris concert on October 21 (link)
- Garfunkel International – official schedule of international concert dates (link)
- AEG Presents – announcement of the UK program and concert repertoire (link)
- Recording Academy – Grammy Awards records and interview about his return following earlier vocal difficulties (link; link)
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – official confirmation of the induction of Simon & Garfunkel in 1990 (link)