Concert banners

[mnkyface]

What do people think about these? More importantly, what would LC think? Would it give him a chuckle? Or would he find it trite, or worse, distracting?

I have always wanted to hold up a banner at a concert, never been able to get it together. I went to see Paul McCartney a couple of years ago and he ended up being very engaged with one audience member (or maybe it was a group- it was kind of a long sign) who were holding up a large sign for him. Paul kept bantering back and forth with them and talking about the sign in between songs.

Anyway, I thought since I'll be relatively close (orchestra row C) in Toronto, this might be the time to get out the posterboard and letter stencils. What would be great is if there were other Forum members in my row and we could get a big sign saying "LEONARDCOHENFORUM.COM" or multiple signage going. It would be a nice way to let him know that the Forum contingent is there.

Any thoughts? Any thoughts on what to put on it? "LEONARD, I'M YOUR WOMAN" also comes to mind, but I don't know how that would go over. lol

[gammahay]

I say go for it. YOu'll probably never get another chance and I think he'd get a kick out of it. I'd hold it with you if I was going to be there but since I'm in CA and can't travel, my chances are probably nill to see him this tour. ((((((LEONARD PLEASE COME TO CA!!!!!!!!!)))))))) Regarding the poster, my advice is to make it huge. Just when you think it is big enough, start over and make it bigger. I speak from experience. And your on the right track with stencils --- DONT use markers. But make sure it is something you can roll up and put in a bag. Cloth works well. The venue probably won't let you bring in a posterboard. Good luck!

[richardrj]

Sounds a bit naff to me.

[William]

Sounds patheric to me. And it'll block the view of others.
William

[Bela]

Or would he find it trite, or worse, distracting?

Both. And worse.

I went to see Paul McCartney a couple of years ago...

Are you comparing Leonard Cohen to Paul McCartney - you mean, the guy who married that... that... woman, even though everyone else knew what she was like?!

[John Etherington]

I think you should only do it if Leonard decides to have Take That as a support band!

[mnkyface]

Are you comparing Leonard Cohen to Paul McCartney - you mean, the guy who married that... that... woman, even though everyone else knew what she was like?!

Of course not. I am not talking about either man's personal life. I brought up another concert (Paul's) because I was talking about banners being something people often DO AT CONCERTS. And last I heard, Leonard is having a concert, not a meditative sit, and it seems like there is going to be excitement among the audience at these shows. I was throwing it out there to start discussion about the appropriateness of posters/banners at Leonard's shows. Or, just for fun, what people might put on such a banner even if they have no intention of making one. Thanks for your input.

Sounds patheric to me. And it'll block the view of others.
William

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Well, William, if you do have a change of heart and decide to do a banner of your own, I recommend checking the spelling on it. You're right about the view blocking, of course, but I wasn't planning to hold up a sign for 2 hours.

[Bela]

Are you comparing Leonard Cohen to Paul McCartney - you mean, the guy who married that... that... woman, even though everyone else knew what she was like?!

Of course not. I am not talking about either man's personal life. I brought up another concert (Paul's) because I was talking about banners being something people often DO AT CONCERTS. And last I heard, Leonard is having a concert, not a meditative sit, and it seems like there is going to be excitement among the audience at these shows. I was throwing it out there to start discussion about the appropriateness of posters/banners at Leonard's shows. Or, just for fun, what people might put on such a banner even if they have no intention of making one. Thanks for your input.

You misunderstood me: I didn't think you were talking about their personal lives. I was asking - ironically - whether you thought Leonard Cohen could be compared to a man who has showed such lack of judgment and made a fool of himself by marrying that woman. I meant LC was probably not the kind of man who would appreciate that sort of display.

[billybroke]

.....Any banners at London's dome O2 place , would probably just be lost among the myriad flutterings of corporate signage and other world-greed bollocks.........20,000 footsoldiers rising at one on his appearance, respectfully applauding the genius before us for an unprecidented amount of time would even bring a small tear to an old cynic like me !!!

[The Running Club]

Please remember how you'd feel if you were in the row behind someone with a massive banner that ruined your view of the stage.

Bet you'd be thrilled, wouldn't you.

Is it worth being noticed if everyone behind you knew you were the one who ruined it for them - or if Leonard told you that??

[mnkyface]

Wow, I'm getting drunk on the power to ruin the show. And to think I was only going to hold up the sign for a few seconds now and then, if at all. (Obvious point I'll save someone else from making: missing one second of LC is too much.)

Soooooo, I guess starting a mosh pit isn’t a good idea either? I mean, if Leonard can do an ice show (see this thread: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=10495&start=15&st=0&sk=t&sd=a), he can certainly stage dive and crowd surf. (Though hopefully not with the skates on. Ouch.) I was planning to yell “Freebird” at him too. Bad idea? Heck, I think I’ll abandon the banner and just flash him my boobs instead. I guarantee, they won’t block anyone’s view. Darn those genes. I will need to get the Future tattoo in place first. Temporary tattoo, of course. I’m potentially an insensitive concert lout if this thread is any indication, but I’m not *that* hardcore. Should I put it on the left or the right? I mean from Leonard’s POV onstage, of course!

For the record: the reason I mentioned the McCartney show and the banner there - It was one of those memorable, communal concert moments. I am sure there will be plenty of them at LC’s shows too; maybe without banners, but hopefully with more than golf claps.

[confetti]

If it's an outdoor standing gig I don't see the problem, if the banner is held up for a few seconds, people can move if it's in their way. I personally don't like banners, but that's just me, plenty of people do and think it is fun, i wouldn't presume to think what Leonard Cohen would think of it, not knowing him personally.
I don't think mnkyface was comparing LC with PMcC but even if she was - so what? I am not a fan of PMcC, however, he was in a vulnerable state and his lack of judgement in marrying "that woman" in my view is entirely understandable.

[shikimo]

I'm not quite sure why everyone's getting so worked up over this, but if you're looking for a non-judgemental opinion I say it's not worth it. It's true that it would, however briefly, block the view of someone or someones, and it's hard to imagine producing any meaningful communication out of it, so it is perhaps not the best idea...

...but still, if it's something you're going to regret not doing for the rest of your life, it's not the big of a deal.

I like the mosh pit idea though . What would be the right songs to mosh to? Jazz Police? Or maybe a slow, subtlely violent mosh to Dress Rehearsal Rag...

BTW, I have a "Future" tattoo . It's 15 years old and in need of a touch-up, but I don't regret it at all.

[Sideways]

I have spoken to Leonard (or "Lenno" as I call him) and he has agreed to hold up a banner saying "OY, MNKYFACE, DARN THOSE JEANS". As some of you may know, Lenno has high standards and he will be furious if yet again mnkyface attends a concert with worn out trousers. btw Lenno also mentioned to me last night, (every Tuesday we stay home and watch dvd's, normally old series of Friends) that the he is mighty unimpressed by the judgmental posts here about Heather McCartney, and he thinks "that woman" who wrote them should be a little kinder with her opinions.

[Sideways]

Sounds patheric to me. And it'll block the view of others.
William

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Well, William, if you do have a change of heart and decide to do a banner of your own, I recommend checking the spelling on it. You're right about the view blocking, of course, but I wasn't planning to hold up a sign for 2 hours.

William has now decided to hold up a bottle instead.