Star Tribune photo by David Brewster

Paul Simon's concert Monday was the first major show at the Minneapolis Auditorium at the Convention Center (their title, not mine).

So how does the venue — which has been the site of many benefit concerts without full-scale concert production — stack up?

Pretty good, especially as a smaller version of the now closed-for-renovation Northrop Auditorium. (Northrop held 4,800; the Mpls. Aud accommodates 3,400.) The sound was very good (credit goes to the meticulous Simon and his crew) and the sightlines were decent but not great (I had a tall guy between me and the little guy onstage). And there is no in-house video system like Mystic Lake Casino's showroom has.

That said, the Mpls Aud could use better signage — to guide people to the box office as well as their seats. How could you find Section A without an usher?

As for Simon's show, my review said very good but more moody than moving. It was more about Rhythmic Simon than master of melody. The rhythm is clearly the priority these days. Thankfully, we heard his underrated acoustic guitar a few times (but not enough).

Wonder what the vibe will be like Tuesday night for Simon's show at First Avenue?

Here is the set list from Monday:

Crazy Love Vol II/ Dazzling Blue/ 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover/ So Beautiful or So What/ Slip Slidin Away/ Vietnam (Jimmy Cliff) > Mother and Child Reunion/ That Was Your Mother/ Hearts & Bones > Mystery Train (Elvis Presley)/ Questions for the Angels/ Rewrite/ Peace Like a River/ The Obvious Child/ The Only Living Boy in New York City/ Love Is Eternal Sacred Light/ Father & Daughter/ Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes/ Gumboots ENCORE The Sounds of Silence (solo acoustic)/ Kodachrome > Gone at Last/ Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)/ Late in the Evening ENCORE 2 Still Crazy After All These Years