CONCERT REPORT: Sydney, Australia - November 16, 2013

[zwirnie]

Salutations, dear LC fans ...

The show is just a mere 60 minutes away, so I thought I open up a topic with some general information about the venue before attendees will bless us with their review, notes and anecdotes.

The show will take place at the Sydney Entertainment Center. As per their webpage, an all seating arrangement will allow up to 11,500 people to attend a show. Ticketmaster also states, that 'not many tickets left', so should be a fairly decent filled house, even if not sold out completely.




http://www.sydentcent.com.au/Events/Leonard-Cohen/

Leonard Cohen 8:00pm
Interval 9:20pm
Leonard Cohen 9:40pm

Please note there will be NO support act.

[zwirnie]

First pictures (via twitter)

[sturgess66]

Sydney, enterttainment centre, November 16th

Same set list as in Perth

Dance me to the end of love
The future
Bird on a wire
Everybody knows
Who by fire
The darkness
Amen
Come healing
Lover lover lover
Anthem

Tower of songs
Suzanne
Chelsea hotel
Waiting for a miracle
Secret life
Le partisan
Alessandra leaving (Sharon Robinson)
I'm your man
1000 kisses deep (recitation)
Hallelujah
Take this waltz

So long Marianne
Going home
First we take Manhattan

Famous blue raincoat
If it be your will (The Webb sisters)
Closing time

[canook]

Indeed a fine show. The band truly did give us everything they had, even if Leonard looked like he had some sort of cold coming on (brought out the hanky a few times to wipe his mouth, also saw him do it into his jacket several times - he was smooth about it all, but I was wondering what was up with the respiratory tract).

Joke of the night: Apparently he was discussing the positive energy of Sydney with Roscoe and said "They look like they haven't been given the bad news." Roscoe replied "That's what we're here for."

The arrangements sounded much more forceful (if that's the best way to describe it) than the previous tours, a lot more percussive playing. I quite liked it, it gave the songs a real drive.

Sad to think this may be the last time's he's out this way. Sydney Opera House fans are in for a treat.

[B4real]

Hi everyone, I've just walked across the street from the Sydney Entertainment Centre to my hotel 10 seconds away. So tired, travelled from Queensland since early hours, and no food all day. Cut the timing a bit fine but managed to get to the concert on time. It was great to meet Alan and his wife and son and finally some thing to eat! To exhausted to say much now but Alan took notes for a report. Of course Leonard blew the locals away again. Standing ovation for many songs. Sleeping now!

EDIT: Canook, he does wipe his mouth from time to time, so no worries!

[sturgess66]

FROM TWITTER -

@danulstewart - Waiting for Leonard Cohen to hit the stage. Long wait for your Father's Day present dad bit well worth the wait! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZLhazlCMAAvrnu.jpg

@Yuanchosaan - Forgot to bring a snazzy hat to Leonard Cohen's concert. Of all the days to leave it behind!

@veebee87 - At Leonard Cohen with my girls. Need oxygen in our seats but here!

@Viscount_Wombat - This is the closest I will ever be to the great bard Leonard Cohen #sydney #leonardcohen http://instagram.com/p/gxQMEHhpoG/

@astropixie - i'm ~30 yrs younger than the avg age of this section. still, if #leonardcohen asked for a kiss on this date, i would totally make out.

@LordTed2011 - Leonard Cohen very soon to take this stage at Sydney Entertainment Centre. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZLl7oRCMAALFUH.jpg

@neil_watt - At the Sydney Entertainment Centre waiting for Leonard Cohen to come on. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZLm4U2CQAA2zjL.jpg

@texs1977 - Oh. Leonard Cohen. That voice!

@Lisa_Wilkinson - In heaven. Seeing the brilliant Leonard Cohen tonight. It rarely gets any better than this. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZLuO4ICEAIY8dF.jpg

@BernardZuel - I can spend the next 40 yrs trying & still never have half of Leonard Cohen's style, wit or thigh muscles. How does he make Amen so sexy?

@nodoz_ - Leonard Cohen just said frothing. Night made.

@mightykal - #leonardcohen still got it at 79

@jake_landa - What a storyteller Leonard Cohen is with his #music. A unique experience so far.

@theAUreview - The irreplaceable Leonard Cohen performing tonight at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. http://instagram.com/p/gxa_exRZ-L/

@texs1977 - Somewhere down there is Leonard Cohen with THAT voice. http://instagram.com/p/gxbFkZucoo/

@RichardWilkins - To see and hear ##LeonardCohen in concert is to be in the presence of greatness!!

@lydia_petze - Intermission at Leonard Cohen and in an epic loo queue. (Wonderful show though)

@milkandmiel - You've got me on my knees, Leonard & its bliss. #LeonardCohen @ Sydney Entertainment Centre http://instagram.com/p/gxbEGuphqC/

@kymtje - The queue for coffee at the Leonard Cohen is the longest I have ever seen. Old people totes know how to rock on.

@mbkearnes - Love and loss #Leonard Cohen in Sydney town tonight

@slewisSteven - Leonard Cohen on stage in Sydney tonight. Absolute magic https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZL7U05CAAAuV9t.jpg

@neil_watt - Leonard Cohen a few mins ago @ Sydney Ent Centre. 1st time I've ever seen a standing ovation https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZL7VhDCEAEtW-S.jpg

@SStuartClark -- Leonard Cohen still has it - amazing!

@stillclearmind -- Leonard Cohen concert, music for the soul @Sydney Entertainment Centre.

@lucierobson - Enjoying being the 2nd youngest person at Leonard Cohen

@spokeskitten - I don't have sufficient superlatives for Leonard Cohen.

@bradatslice - #interval Leonard Cohen is fabulous My photography is not http://24.media.tumblr.com/1fc6e25477e1 ... o1_500.jpg

@adam_lewis - Young go getter singing Hallelujah in the foyer during Leonard Cohen intermission is one of the less necessary things I've seen in a bit.

@lydia_petze - This x1000. I don't have sufficient superlatives for Leonard Cohen.

@MAZ_DY - @theAUreview The irreplaceable Leonard Cohen performing tonight at the Syd Ent Cent http://instagram.com/p/gxa_exRZ-L/ "

@JodieRichmond - Good to see a master at work #leonardcohen #thoselyrics #superb @ Sydney Entertainment Centre http://instagram.com/p/gxdk2ZgpGc/

@JaimieLovell - “@Lisa_Wilkinson: In heaven. Seeing the brilliant Leonard Cohen tonight.” Encore!!!

@BernardZuel - Leonard Cohen started 3 & a quarter hours ago and it looks like our frailties rather than his which will bring the show to an 'early'' end

@SPODemonic - Leonard Cohen had the whole Ent Cent smelling like soap and smokes.

@kymtje - So, where's the Leonard Cohen after party?

@dexitroboper - Leonard Cohen at Sydney Entertainment Centre. Simply sublime. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZMeESVCUAA728q.jpg

@hoodathort - Just been to see Leonard Cohen in Sydney. Just WOW!! What a superb show!! The passion, the poetry, the musos...

@kymtje - I don't want to boast but have better seats than Barry O'Farrell for Leonard Cohen. So cool.

@MichaelFarrellE - A great night here in Sydney with Leonard Cohen sharing in his majestic spiritual generosity.

{Michael Farrell is an Australian poet and also the Editor of Slope Magazine)

@Leanne_Townsend - An amazing evening with Leonard Cohen!! http://instagram.com/p/gxl_jHxWlV/

@WingsAreToFly - Leonard Cohen is GENIUS! I was mesmerized(again). Its like the broken places in me found a name in some of the songs

@barouchjudy - His most amazing gig ever! Still on a high.

@Snoop_Limon - Leonard Cohen. A living legend. http://instagram.com/p/gxclvvlKrh/

@Imogen_Clark - Standing ovation for Mr Leonard Cohen in Sydney tonight. And it was well-deserved. What a guy.

STATIGRAM -

thomasvictorcarroll - In the throws of "everybody knows" Leonard Cohen in deep at the Sydney Entertainment Centre sprightly old bugger! #leonardcohen #sydneyentertainmentcentre


Diego Sapia Maia - Terminamos todos assim. [All finished well.]

A standing ovation -

kristinaammitzboll – Thank you Leonard Cohen Poet Hallelujah

Short video clips -
Dance Me To The End Of Love - http://statigr.am/p/590337818180329410_185371926 (Jon Johannsen)
Anthem - http://statigr.am/p/590370014834171544_348814 (from captain_carnage)
Suzanne - http://statigr.am/p/590389042546559824_187204433 (from nazdrowie69)
Hallejujah - http://statigr.am/p/590468667043878943_157437 (from Met Dixon)
So Long Marianne - http://statigr.am/p/590456384452826783_224042820 (from Ayrley)
I'm Your Man - http://statigr.am/p/545751334040234844_682681 (from solitudeinthewilderness)
A Thousand Kisses Deep - http://statigr.am/p/590554584893235013_11870646 (from jessica)
Dance Me To The End Of Love - http://statigr.am/p/590782814639812186_9950186 (from demetra)

Hoping for video from this show.
This is promotion video uploaded to YouTube recently by Sydney Entertainment -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j5Tl23wJe4

[flopearedmule]

I was lucky enough to snag front row centre for this show but I have no lengthy report to give - you all know everything there is to say about Leonard. I had tears a few times - as I have had all week thinking how close the concert was. Here are some snaps that I put on Instagram.

[B4real]

Still so very tired! If you could just see my puffy eyes! Yesterday was such looooong day with many a twist and turn.

Good things: Actually making it to the concert. Enjoying such a wonderful event. Meeting Alan and family and sharing a delightful dinner. Alan may have some videos.

Bad things: The tallest man in the world (not quite) sat in front of me obstructing to the right a clear view of Leonard. The amazing thing is that I was in the second row but I was some distance to the left of centre. I’ve got a sore neck from trying to see to the side of him. I tried to take photos but to no avail, sorry. (I’m in the last photo Linda (Sturgess66) posted – 2nd row 2nd from the bottom, the one with the long light hair and dark top leaning forward)
Also I attempted to audio record the concert – first time I’ve ever done this. Thought it was recording until I checked after Anthem at intermission and discovered I still had it on stand-by!! Recorded the rest OK but it’s not very good. I can see I’ll have to try a different approach, don’t know what yet.

Oh, more good things:
I met Leif B, it was nice to make face to face contact. Amongst other things we discussed getting a set list during intermission but I was a bit late getting there after the concert – Alan has one. It’s not as graphically illustrated as last time. I’m sure Alan will post that physical one and LC&LC has already posted notification of the played set list.
And I got a direct return wave and a beautiful smile from Alex on two occasions. Needless to say, his violin playing is more than superb and is an integral part in giving such expressive meaning to Leonard’s songs. I say, as it was in the beginning it is again.

This is a first time intro Leonard said just before Tower Of Song:
"I was sitting with my friend Roscoe at a café just around the corner and I noticed this tremendous energy in this city. You know it felt like New York without the problems.
I said to Roscoe you know I’ve never seen such energy, enthusiasm, optimism – I don’t think they heard the bad news!......and Roscoe said 'That’s why we’re here!'”

He also gave the Webb sisters an additional title of something to do with flowers - Alan wrote it down correctly and will pass it on for sure.

Overall the general performance appeared more polished and it’s no wonder considering how many times most songs have been played. The energy and enthusiasm was there for all to see. I have a feeling that there will be a new song introduced soon, possibly in New Zealand near the end of the tour.

Two more nights in Sydney for me and then it’s off to Melbourne for my second concert this tour.

[AlanM]

Not a whole lot more to add.
Timing - start 8:17pm; interval 9:27pm; 2nd set start 9:55pm; encores start 11:03pm; finish 11:38pm with a comment that curfew had been passed.

The singer, the songs, the band, the music, the lighting and sound were all top quality as usual. There were no significant variations in lyrics.
"Anthem": there was no comment about the state of the world, just straight into the song. At the end he introduced the band only, the Webb Sisters being from "the frothing wildflowers of Kent, England".
"Tower Of Song" we got the "charity for the elderly" quote and the elbow along the keyboard, but no playing of two keys at once.
The crew were acknowledged at the end of "Take This Waltz", but not as extensively as I have seen on other occasions.
"Closing Time" I tried to get a "No, No, No" chant going, but the people nearby wouldn't join in. We may have better luck in Melbourne, Andrew.
In his closing remarks he referred to us as his "very dear friends".

Re videos - security was HOT in the first set. I was warned off after less than a minute of my first try!
2nd set I think I have full songs of "Chelsea Hotel #2" and "Take This Waltz", as well as "So Long Marianne" and "If It Be Your Will" from the encores.
I did try to record other songs but I had a large hair-do in front of me and it attracted the auto-focus of my camera a number of times, so I had to abandon some attempts. Also I felt that the monopod I was using for stability had attracted the security, so the ones I did take are less steady than my efforts of 2010. Old age, you know! I probably won't be able to upload until I get home after Melbourne as I am using my son's ancient laptop now.

Dean - I got my cufflinks - I'm delighted!

Off to Melbourne on Tuesday then home Friday evening. I gambled on the extra concerts being within a day of the primary ones and lost out twice, with fixed flights.
I'm coming back to the Opera House, so it will be interesting to compare the sound between the 2 venues. Also I'm looking forward to an improved view with raked seating.

That's all I can think of for now.

Alan

[Albert66]

Sensational - Wonderful - You are fantastic! Took my 81 year old mum to see you who has been a fan forever, truly a memorable evening. I hope there is going to be a DVD or CD of one of your Australian concerts - this mix is superb!

[AlanM]

Amongst other things we discussed getting a set list during intermission but I was a bit late getting there after the concert – Alan has one. It’s not as graphically illustrated as last time. I’m sure Alan will post that physical one and LC&LC has already posted notification of the played set list.

The setlist has scanned as a pdf and it won't upload to the Forum.
I'll have to tweak it when I get home to a computer that I am familiar with.

The main 1st set alternatives were: Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye; Ain't No Cure For Love.
2nd set: Sisters Of Mercy; Night Comes On.
Encores #3 - primary songs (not sung) I Tried To Leave You; Save The Last Dance; alternative Got A Little Secret.

Overall there are 19 secondary alternatives, including "Choices".

I'll repost when I get home at the end of next week.

Alan

[adam1]

i nabbed a setlist and posted something on instagram earlier...

http://instagram.com/p/gy__94IwG5/

great show, enjoyed the setlist variations on the last tour. good to see lover lover lover performed. sydney opera house will be the final of the nine shows i've been fortunate enough to see since leonard's return, fingers crossed for something special pulled out in what i think will be a really buzzing, intimate, hot show.

[adam1]

Also, Tonight Will Be Fine. Has he played this at all since his return? That would be a treat.

[sturgess66]

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/mus ... 2xohu.html

Leonard Cohen: Connection, Not Perfection, The Goal

By: Bernard Zuel
November 17, 2013 - 11:49AM


Leonard Cohen performing at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Saturday, November 16, 2013. Photo: Steve Lunam

Entertainment Centre, November 16

It may have been when he dropped to his knees like some sweat-free Otis Redding in The Future - and got back up again with far less effort than it took us, three hours later, to creakily rise for the first of several standing ovations.

Cohen still found ways to renew our connection to these songs and to him.

It was almost certainly when the counter-intuitive sensual groove his marvellously understated band gave Amen (remember he's singing lines like “Tell me again when the filth of the butcher is washed in the blood of the lamb”) became sexier still in his hands.

And it definitely was there when a beautifully tender Suzanne, in it's now familiar barebones arrangement, was the middle peg of a three-song opening to the second set with the drolly comic ode to artistic seriousness, Tower Of Song, and the doggedly romantic song of anti-romance, Chelsea Hotel #2.
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Despite this being the third time we've seen him in four years, with not huge differences in the setlist, Leonard Cohen still found ways to renew our connection to these songs, to him and to our imagined (dreamt for?) alternative life as sensualists and intellects. “We're ugly, but we have the music” indeed.

While his 2009 show can't be beaten for emotional satisfaction – He was here. With us. Again! – that gave it an air of perfection, the 2010 show had to work harder to recover from an almost perfunctory first half to find similar high water marks. This time even the relative languor of the second set - that featured only one new song compared with three in the first part - didn't draw away any satisfaction.

While it may have lacked the strong stylistic choices of the first half and encores – where we got Bird On The Wire as a slow blues; the funky strut of Everybody Knows; the Euro disco of First We Take Manhattan – it was carried easily by the playing or the wit (“I haven't been this happy since the end of World War II”) or the innate quality. And, it should be noted, the welcome absence of the none-more-'80s saxophone on this tour.

In any case, it's so clear that connection, not perfection, is the goal. As he sang in Anthem, with a couplet which decades on remains my favourite out of hundreds of brilliant Leonard Cohen lines, perfect is overrated because "there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in".

Leonard Cohen plays at the Bimbadgen Winery on Saturday and at the Opera House on December 2.

[antipodean heart]

The Sydney concert I've been lucky enough to see Mr Cohen a number of times now. I have to say this concert was the best I've seen. Mr Cohen is always energetic but this time the energy was different and he had a lot of it. He seemed relaxed, very much in the moment and there was more banter with the audience.

As always, the band was brilliant and Alexandru gave it a new dimension. Sharon - what can I say - her voice and what it conveys, her collaboration - she is an amazing artist. And I love Rafael's new look

To all the northern hemisphere Forum Fans - I really missed you in the audience - you know how to have fun at a Leonard Cohen concert AlanM - I wish I had heard you chanting 'no no no' after Closing Time - you would have had another two voices joining you.

Jen