CONCERT REPORTS: Toronto (June 6, 7, 8, and 9)
Leonard - Toronto Show June 7th, 2008
My Fiance, and I were at the June 7th show. We had third row center, and what a treat! Leonard acknowledged the audience and certain individuals. I will cherish this memory for years to come. We were able to take some photos and some videos of the performance. I will be posting them on youtube in the next week or so for those who were not able to make it. I was shocked we were allowed to record!
We talked to a few people who were at the Friday night show and they said Saturday night's show was a bit better. He was dressed in his suit and hat. He played for three hours with one 20 minute intermission. The setlist you find on this message board is pretty close to what he sang in concert. I must say, the Sublime Web Sisters, Leonard's back up singers were just phenominal! And as always so was Sharon. In fact the whole band was in suits, it reminded me of being at a 1940's speak easy type of place. It was a very intimate setting. We loved it. I can't wait to post the videos and share them with you all! I think I did pretty good considering I had a Casio digital camera that took video as well. If anyone would like a copy of them let me know, I HOPE they can fit in emails. THEY ARE NOT FOR SALE. Leonard was gracious enough to let his listeners take photo's and/or record audio or video. We all know that usually is a big no-no. I however am grateful.
I travelled from Phoenix, AZ to Toronto to see him. It was worth it. Thanks Leonard for a memorable evening. Jarkko has kept this site up and he's done a fantastic job.
Jason
We talked to a few people who were at the Friday night show and they said Saturday night's show was a bit better. He was dressed in his suit and hat. He played for three hours with one 20 minute intermission. The setlist you find on this message board is pretty close to what he sang in concert. I must say, the Sublime Web Sisters, Leonard's back up singers were just phenominal! And as always so was Sharon. In fact the whole band was in suits, it reminded me of being at a 1940's speak easy type of place. It was a very intimate setting. We loved it. I can't wait to post the videos and share them with you all! I think I did pretty good considering I had a Casio digital camera that took video as well. If anyone would like a copy of them let me know, I HOPE they can fit in emails. THEY ARE NOT FOR SALE. Leonard was gracious enough to let his listeners take photo's and/or record audio or video. We all know that usually is a big no-no. I however am grateful.
I travelled from Phoenix, AZ to Toronto to see him. It was worth it. Thanks Leonard for a memorable evening. Jarkko has kept this site up and he's done a fantastic job.
Jason
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Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
Bless you! This brought me to tears last night.
Steph
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
I was fortunate to attend three of the Toronto shows. I became a fan of Cohen's in 1993 at the time of the release of "The Future." It remains one of my favorite albums of all time. I saw one of his Toronto shows that year and it remains the greatest concert I have ever seen.
In 2008 its magic all over again. The setlist is nearly perfect, the band ready to conquer Europe and Leonard Cohen singing with such a strong sense of passion and devotion. A childlike excitement is on display when he sprints back to the microphone from returning to the stage in the encore.
For those about to witness the shows in Europe (assuming the setlists will be identical)-be prepared for the live performance of "Anthem" to be the most surreal, mind blowing experience of your lifetime.
Ring the bells that still can ring, there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.
In 2008 its magic all over again. The setlist is nearly perfect, the band ready to conquer Europe and Leonard Cohen singing with such a strong sense of passion and devotion. A childlike excitement is on display when he sprints back to the microphone from returning to the stage in the encore.
For those about to witness the shows in Europe (assuming the setlists will be identical)-be prepared for the live performance of "Anthem" to be the most surreal, mind blowing experience of your lifetime.
Ring the bells that still can ring, there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
"Wither thou goest, I will go," is actually also a lyric in the obscure Cohen song "The ballad of the absent mare," which my old college roommate and I managed to find on Napster several years ago.
The same roomie (also my best man, and me his) was with me on Saturday night in Toronto, and we'd had 12 years of wailing badly by campfires building up to this. Never thought the day would come. I suppose his loss is our gain, in a way, but you'd be hard pressed to find a 73 year old anywhere in showbiz who seems to purely enjoy himself up there as much as Mr. Cohen. The fact that this was musically by far the best concert I've ever seen is just gravy. It was a triumph.
So glad I got tickets for the first night in Montreal. I've been (badly) singing my wife hallelujah and (her favorite) Bird on a Wire for nearly 10 years now, and she was away on business in Europe for the first show, but I'm ready for the 9th row beside her in two weeks. She finally gets to see me cry. I soaked the rug as soon as I heard the opening chord to Suzanne two nights ago.
I did an informal poll of men in front of me (I had standing room), and at least 2/3 were either bald, or grey, or both. Funny enough, to hear the ovations, you'd imagine a bunch of noisy teenagers.
The same roomie (also my best man, and me his) was with me on Saturday night in Toronto, and we'd had 12 years of wailing badly by campfires building up to this. Never thought the day would come. I suppose his loss is our gain, in a way, but you'd be hard pressed to find a 73 year old anywhere in showbiz who seems to purely enjoy himself up there as much as Mr. Cohen. The fact that this was musically by far the best concert I've ever seen is just gravy. It was a triumph.
So glad I got tickets for the first night in Montreal. I've been (badly) singing my wife hallelujah and (her favorite) Bird on a Wire for nearly 10 years now, and she was away on business in Europe for the first show, but I'm ready for the 9th row beside her in two weeks. She finally gets to see me cry. I soaked the rug as soon as I heard the opening chord to Suzanne two nights ago.
I did an informal poll of men in front of me (I had standing room), and at least 2/3 were either bald, or grey, or both. Funny enough, to hear the ovations, you'd imagine a bunch of noisy teenagers.
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/440064
OPINION
Cohen pictures worth 1,000 angry words
Jun 10, 2008 04:30 AM
Malene Arpe
Pop Culture Columnist
I'm curious how many low-res cellphone photos of Leonard Cohen are enough. Thirty? 50? 100?
Judging from the people in front of me at Friday's concert at the Sony Centre, there obviously is no limit. I'm also curious how it is that someone would pay $250 for a ticket and then watch the entire show through a cellphone.
Last weekend's Cohen concert, the first of four Toronto shows, was one of those highlights-of-your-life type things. Star music critic Ben Rayner called it breathtaking. I will add that there was a lot of crying. From myself as well as from many grown men in the audience.
The show was moving and beautiful and more than anyone could have hoped for. Except for the constant lights from the bloody phones as photo after photo after photo was taken.
Believe me when I tell you that the man in the spotlight did not have any wardrobe changes. Nor did he perform any card tricks. Or dance. Or do handstands with monkeys. The first picture you took will closely resemble the last, you no-consideration-for-other-people idiots.
Next time you go to a show featuring someone truly great, try this: Sit your ass in your chair and just listen. Be. Enjoy. I know this may be difficult for you to understand, but it will all still have happened even if you don't obsessively photograph it. And if you don't leave with 100 grainy pictures of an old man wearing a hat, your evening – and not unimportanTly, mine – will have been better for it.
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
Daryll wrote:I was fortunate to attend three of the Toronto shows. I became a fan of Cohen's in 1993 at the time of the release of "The Future." It remains one of my favorite albums of all time. I saw one of his Toronto shows that year and it remains the greatest concert I have ever seen.
In 2008 its magic all over again. The setlist is nearly perfect, the band ready to conquer Europe and Leonard Cohen singing with such a strong sense of passion and devotion. A childlike excitement is on display when he sprints back to the microphone from returning to the stage in the encore.
For those about to witness the shows in Europe (assuming the setlists will be identical)-be prepared for the live performance of "Anthem" to be the most surreal, mind blowing experience of your lifetime.
Ring the bells that still can ring, there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.
First, let me say how jealous I am. I knew I'd see statements like that on this forum. I would have loved to go to all 4 shows. Sadly, I could only attend one. Secondly, YES... it was childlike exuberance he displayed. That man can run! Thirdly, Anthem is my favourite song... he did it beyond! Surreal it was.
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Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
Quoting the Star article - "The first picture you took will closely resemble the last, you no-consideration-for-other-people idiots. Next time you go to a show featuring someone truly great, try this: Sit your ass in your chair and just listen."
Yikes! Wow! But YES! It's nice to see a writer for national media vindicate those of us posting similar opinions.
In my little opinion, it's just simply the world we now live in. Trying to project etiquette of the past on the technology of the day is likely futile.
(p.s. - I recently went to a baroque orchestral performance of Beatles' music. It was wonderful and, obviously, instrumental. As if that wasn't good enough, the lady and her daughter behind me decided to provide the vocal track, singing aloud to every song. That was a trying evening to say the least)
Yikes! Wow! But YES! It's nice to see a writer for national media vindicate those of us posting similar opinions.
In my little opinion, it's just simply the world we now live in. Trying to project etiquette of the past on the technology of the day is likely futile.
(p.s. - I recently went to a baroque orchestral performance of Beatles' music. It was wonderful and, obviously, instrumental. As if that wasn't good enough, the lady and her daughter behind me decided to provide the vocal track, singing aloud to every song. That was a trying evening to say the least)
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
Bad place to insert photos -
Can't agree more that view screens and even worse flash ought to be controlled better. We were off to the right both Friday and Saturday, and fortunately not too many distractons.
Linda has now uploaded 23 pics to Flickr -- facility, fans (including at last Marie's sweet smile) and the requested merchandise. Only two non-flash of the stage. Too busy glued to every word from Leonard to photograph him!
Here is link
Toronto June, 2008
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13892120@N ... 5526506927
Can't agree more that view screens and even worse flash ought to be controlled better. We were off to the right both Friday and Saturday, and fortunately not too many distractons.
Linda has now uploaded 23 pics to Flickr -- facility, fans (including at last Marie's sweet smile) and the requested merchandise. Only two non-flash of the stage. Too busy glued to every word from Leonard to photograph him!
Here is link
Toronto June, 2008
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13892120@N ... 5526506927
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- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2002 3:31 am
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
TO ANY ONE WHO ATTENDED THE JUNE 9TH SHOW -
How was the crowd capacity for this, the fourth show? I ask because I never saw it advertised as having sold out.
How was the crowd capacity for this, the fourth show? I ask because I never saw it advertised as having sold out.
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
I was on the Orchestra level and there was not a single empty seat. If there were any at all, they must have been upstairs. It was an exceptional show. I also attended Friday and Saturday.
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
On Saturday's show he mentioned her again during Hallelujah. "Vanessa, I've been here before, I know this room, I've walked this floorcordelia wrote:Just home from an amazing experience in so many ways.
One thing I wonder if anyone else caught was when he did "Waiting for the Miracle" and sang this..
"You wouldn't like it here Vanessa, there aint no entertainment and the critics are severe>"
WHO IS VANESSA???
I thought Sharon Robinson looked surprised but I might have been projecting my own surprise.
I used to live alone before I knew you."
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
After a few days reflecting on Leonard Cohen's June 7th show in Toronto, I will report (briefly) that the experience was very fine indeed: Hallelujeh and I'm Your Man were personal highlights, the band tight and tasteful, Leonard in fine voice and generous to his bandmates and the audience. When I think about how long Leonard takes to write his songs, the level and scope of his body of work are absolutely astounding. I think that, by any measure, LC absolutely belongs in the pantheon of legendary figures -- like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and perhaps a few others -- who have changed the face of music by their originality of vision. It was truly inspiring.
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
My guess is that it is artist Vanessa Beecroft, who lives in Los Angeles but has work exhibited at Toronto's Gallery Moos until June 30. She has worked with Floria Sigismondi (video director for In My Secret Life) and may know Leonard through that connection.minordrag wrote:On Saturday's show he mentioned her again during Hallelujah. "Vanessa, I've been here before, I know this room, I've walked this floor I used to live alone before I knew you."
"In this world of shallow, he is the abyss."~ YouTube commenter greg450318
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Lyon, July 2008 / Oakland x2, April 2009 / San Jose, November 2009 / Oakland, December 2010 / San Jose, November 2012 / Oakland, March 2013
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Lyon, July 2008 / Oakland x2, April 2009 / San Jose, November 2009 / Oakland, December 2010 / San Jose, November 2012 / Oakland, March 2013
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
Good guess mnkyface
Great news on attendance Anne
Each show somehow better than the last?
Great news on attendance Anne
Each show somehow better than the last?
Re: Toronto (June 6 to 9)
I was at the June 9th show. It was truly a wonderful experience, a show to remember and play again and again in my mind.
Although there was a note on the door saying that tickets were still available I didn't see any empty seats. I was in the rear of the Orchestra.
The only disappointment of the night was that they were sold out of the hoodies. I came prepared with cash to buy one and they were all gone.
The audience seemed even more appreciative than in Hamilton. Maybe since this was the last Toronto show no one (except maybe the band and Leonard) wanted it to end.
Thank you Leonard, for a wonderful evening and an amazing memory.
Although there was a note on the door saying that tickets were still available I didn't see any empty seats. I was in the rear of the Orchestra.
The only disappointment of the night was that they were sold out of the hoodies. I came prepared with cash to buy one and they were all gone.
The audience seemed even more appreciative than in Hamilton. Maybe since this was the last Toronto show no one (except maybe the band and Leonard) wanted it to end.
Thank you Leonard, for a wonderful evening and an amazing memory.
Waterloo January 30 1975 , Hamilton June 3 2008, Toronto June 9 2008,
Cleveland October 25 2009 ,Toronto December 4th 2012
Cleveland October 25 2009 ,Toronto December 4th 2012