I was wondering what the "near-perfect" meant in the headline for the Ottawa Citizen review. There was no mention of imperfections in the article from a reviewer who may have left before the 4th encore. So probably just an over-worked editor once taught that nothing is perfect. I guess it was because it was in an arena - but that hardly mattered if you were focused on the performers.
But that nonsense aside, it is so nice to hear from fans who were there. I was and so were my daughter and her husband who are far from "grey-haired". This was her second Cohen concert, his first and my third - ging back to the early nineties. My daughter, who has been to a lot of various concerts said "That's the best concert ever." Her second best concert was the first one we were at. I agree.
We wereon th e stage right exit side in Row J of 110. Leonard's waves to the crowd as he exited were wonderful. The setlist was incredible. The encores amazing. We were overwhelmed. Like finishing the box of chocolates and finding layer after layer underneath.
The view from our $150 perch was great but a hint to others attending shows in arenas elsewhere; if you are sitting stage right, get just a bit higher up than the tenth row on that side to see Leonard over the heads of the ladies who form a V that partially blocks Leonard and presents their backs and sides to the first two elevated sections closest to the stage. But it is a great side to see the organ and stringed instrument playing. The other side is probably better because you will see the ladies facing you and all of Leonard over the heads of the seated gentlemen. And you can always watch the mandolin picking on the screen.
But not to worry about the seating because we have front row, stage right, non-VIP $250 tickets to next week's concert in Kingston. I wonder if it will be my daughter's best concet ever with Leonard concerts then following second and third.
And the both sets of tickets were purchased online thanks to being a member of this forum and catching the pre-sale. So thanks to all responsible for that.
P.S. Each to their own opinion, but I always thought that the Mayor of Ottawa was a bit of a tool. He needs to get out more and "lighten up".