CONCERT REPORT: London, UK , September 15, 2013

[somewhat_nifty]

Probably my last Cohen concert (though never say never!), I went to the O2 with mixed feelings. Though usually I have a seat near the front, this time I had opted for the cheap seats, although I bought them in the presale so they were right at the front of the cheap section. It is dizzyingly high at the O2, and Leonard and the band looked like stick people However it reminded me a bit of my seat at the Royal Albert Hall back in 2008, where I could only get a seat in the back row!

As usual, Leonard and the band put on a great show, and 'gave us all they had'. I missed being able to see their faces, I couldn't even see the screens that well. But the amazing music filled the venue and I still felt connected to the show. I was so happy to hear some of the older tunes back in the setlist - Chelsea Hotel #2 and Gypsy Wife (though Leonard seemed a bit rusty with this one!). Privileged to hear the new song 'Got a Little Secret' as well, though wasn't that sure I liked it. Maybe it's a grower. Alex seemed very integrated into the band, more so than when I had seen him before. Amazing to hear the violin on Gypsy Wife, though Raffi Hakopian is a hard act to follow! I feel I have gone out on a high, even though I had to leave before the encores were over. A stonking So Long, Marianne will be my lasting memory.

I foolishly didn't realise there was a meetup, I'm sorry to have missed the chance to say hello to the Cohenites. I was glad my spare ticket went to fellow Forumite Szilvia, whose excellent camera took photos as if we were much closer! I was also thrilled that old Forum friend Happygirl was there, she had won a competition for tickets and hadn't seen him since Barcelona, so was in for a treat. A great night.

My view:

[Paula]

It was really lovely to see Leonard again, shame about the venue just a giant hangar.

My son and grandson came and contrary to his demeanour and seeming lack of enthusiasm my 16 year old grandson loved it.

I felt it was the last time I would ever seen Leonard singing in London, the spiel seemed to suggest he was currently on a tour of farewells.

I was really pleased to see Albert, Marie, Hans, Caren, John and Paul and a few others it is always nice to see old familiar faces amongst a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Leonard excelled, his voice very strong and I am in awe of his capacity of getting up from kneeling unaided. I want to know how he does that.

I loved the concert from start to finish and if that was the last time I see Leonard singing live I have been blessed.

[sturgess66]

http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/musi ... 19334.html

Leonard Cohen, O2 Arena - Music Review

The 78-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter and his incredible nine-piece band packed more hits, humour and highlights into his three-hour set than most acts manage in their entire careers


Hits, humour and highlights: Leonard Cohen and his nine-piece band were incredible at the O2 (Picture: Rex Features)

Rick Pearson
Published: 16 September 2013
Updated: 13:32, 16 September 2013
Critic Rating % star

“I’m not sure when we’ll see each other again,” said Leonard Cohen, 78, at the start of his show at the O2. “But tonight we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.” For the following three hours, the Canadian singer-songwriter and his incredible nine-piece band more than made good on that promise. The only UK date on his Old Ideas world tour had more hits, humour and highlights than most acts pack into their careers.

If the pace was so pedestrian that even his band was seated, there was plenty of drama to be found in Cohen’s lyrics, which exude a pain and poetry unsurpassed in popular music. “Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free,” he crooned on Bird on the Wire, his very own My Way. Elsewhere, Darkness nodded to the depression that’s stalked him for the majority of his career. “I used to love the rainbow, I used to love the view/But I caught the darkness baby, and I caught it worse than you.”

However, the greatest thing about seeing the Godfather of Gloom nowadays is that he’s cheered up. When his rudimentary piano playing on Tower of Song prompted a round of applause, he asked: “Are you humouring me? If so, I accept your compassion: you sure know how to treat the elderly.” If Cohen’s playing was fairly limited, his band’s was masterful. Flamenco guitarist Javier Mas deserves to fill arenas of this size on his own, while the three female backing vocalists provided the angelic counterpoint to Cohen’s earthy tones.

Add to that stunning versions of Suzanne, I’m Your Man and Hallelujah, and you have a show that will live long in the memory.

If this really is the last time we’ll be seeing Cohen, hey, that’s some way to say goodbye.

[William HK]

What a great forum for Leonard Cohen fans, and what an excellent concert report. Thanks.
I'm new to this forum. I bought my first Leonard Cohen album back in 1973 (on CD now). Tonight Will be Fine is still my favourite song although he doesn't seem to perform that much these days. (Or does he?)
My wife and I went last night and we were both completely overwhelmed by Leonard Cohen and his amazing support musicians.
We found the first set a little slow, although it was brilliant, but the second set and the generous encores were fantastic.
One thing we loved was the great affection and respect he had for his fellow musicians allowing them to showcase their talents.
First thing this morning I bought Savages by the Webb Sisters on the basis of their performance last night. I don't want him to retire but when he does, he'll leave behind a great and living legacy. Legend.

[sturgess66]

Video -

Uploaded by Tim Dale

Lover, Lover, Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrMT1qQazbQ

Chelsea Hotel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqXa48II-gU

I'm Your Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLrzvKyaBtw

Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaMPK5RVvlo

Famous Blue Raincoat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQr8HTl6Y5Q

Going Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtwdL-oxnU8

************
Uploaded by Arash Aliahmadi

I'm Your Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi9WvKiaHLg

[songwriter]

What a great forum for Leonard Cohen fans, and what an excellent concert report. Thanks.
I'm new to this forum. I bought my first Leonard Cohen album back in 1973 (on CD now). Tonight Will be Fine is still my favourite song although he doesn't seem to perform that much these days. (Or does he?)
My wife and I went last night and we were both completely overwhelmed by Leonard Cohen and his amazing support musicians.
We found the first set a little slow, although it was brilliant, but the second set and the generous encores were fantastic.
One thing we loved was the great affection and respect he had for his fellow musicians allowing them to showcase their talents.
First thing this morning I bought Savages by the Webb Sisters on the basis of their performance last night. I don't want him to retire but when he does, he'll leave behind a great and living legacy. Legend.

according to the internet Tonight Will Be Fine was last played live by Leonard in 1979!

My favourite is Take This Longing

[Goldin]

according to the internet Tonight Will Be Fine was last played live by Leonard in 1979!

November 1980, more precisely.

[HelenOE]

Some professional photos of this show at Rockshot

[songwriter]

according to the internet Tonight Will Be Fine was last played live by Leonard in 1979!

November 1980, more precisely.

apologies, my memory is not what it once was

[William HK]

Thanks Goldin and Songwriter. Long time either way. Looks like he doesn't like Tonight Will Be Fine anymore.

[Goldin]

Don't think so, William

It appears constantly in a setlist (so called attention section):
http://drhguy.com/2013/07/21/how-the-le ... t-setlist/

[James-on-tour]

I am winging this a bit as I drove straight from Dublin airport to work arriving one hour late
but my collegue was good enough to fill in (some advantages of afternoon shifts I suppose).

When this concert ended, I felt like someone who left the dinner table still feeling hungry.
The abrupt ending took some of the good out of it for me. I was really enjoying the performance and expecting
more to follow but a 2245 curfew at an indoor arena - totally shocked - it makes me appreciate
the O2 arena in Dublin even more.

The Dublin concerts ran from 1940 to 2315 (Wed) and 1945 to 2325 (Thur)

I was at both the Dublin shows and while I have not read any of the reviews yet I thought both were excellent
and that Thursday night was exceptional. Maybe it was my mood or whatever - maybe others will
disagree ... Leonard and the band seemed to be having as much fun as the audience and our President
stuck it out until the last encore (of course he was also in Kilmainham last year).

Thursday's show was my introduction to 'I've got a little secret'. I really liked it.

The quote from the fan was indeed 'Thank you for a lifetime of meaningful music'.

That was my last show (for this round ???).

It has been an honour to be there so many times and to meet so many terrific people
from all over the world.

[William HK]

Don't think so, William

It appears constantly in a setlist (so called attention section):
http://drhguy.com/2013/07/21/how-the-le ... t-setlist/

After 33 years I'm not sure we should take too much encouragement from that...

[MaryB]

So many wonderful posts on this concert - thank you all for taking the time to put your feelings and impressions here!

[John Etherington]

Mary - Glad you like the reports in this section.

William - Pleased to hear that you bought the Webb Sisters album on the strength of their performance last night. Check out my lead review of "Savages" on amazon.co.uk