My first time...

[friscogrl]

Hi Rocketqueen, my first time seeing Leonard was June 6th 2008 in Toronto and we had traveled from San francisco so I could see him. My purse was stuffed with Kleenex, I was prepared. We were sitting up in the balcony and I knew he was coming on stage by the response of the audience.I looked down and there he was and I shot up onto my feet like everyone else. I was thrilled and smiling to finally see this man who has entertained me, moved me to tears and expresses our shared humanness in a way I think most of us are incapable of.
The three hours flew by and I enjoyed every minute and was enthralled by Leonard, his band and the singers. I did use a Keenex or two, I actually had to give one to a woman sitting next to us. It was great evening and my first time has turned out not to be my last time. You'll have a great time and actually I will be at your first Leonard Cohen concert.

See you in Malmo,

Marsha

[rocketqueen]

I must say of all the fan forums ect I have joined through out the years this one definantly tops on how nice and welcoming everyone is and that you take time to write down all the stuff that you have. I am very humbeld.

I've looked around in the forum and correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that a lot of you have created friendships through this forum and keep meeting up for Leonards concerts - is that right? I told my mum about it and she thought it was amazing. So do I. Some of you must have been on this forum for quit a few years. Impressive.

Well if there is a meetup before the concert in Malmö or drinks afterwards - please let me know. And once again, thank you all for welcoming me and including me in this forum.

[MaryB]

My first time, Detroit 1993. When the concert finished, I had to remember to breathe again.

Rocketqueen,
It is easy to become friends here with like-minded people. It is not a closed clique. All are warmly included if they choose to stay. Nice to have you here - welcome.

Best regards,
Mary

[Maulwurf]

rocketqueen,

i agree with you:
the people around here are very kind.
and apparently, sharing their one obvious common interest, many of them turned from strangers into friends among each other.

i don' t want to sound pathetic here (not more than i do sound either way), but this may be one of the best aspects about loving the work of mr. leonard cohen: taking the sublimeness of his songs and words to do something sublime yourself.

well, at least, i hope it works that way

greetings

[Amrei]

Hi rocketqueen,

I suddenly see, your location is CPH. Will you go alone to the concert or do you have company? If not, I can pick you up on my way through CPH, as we will take the car to Malmø and back to CPH after the show, where I have friends. Og så kan vi gøre det hele på dansk .... meget nemmere og derved sætte gang i en masse maskinoversættelse

Amrei

[Amrei]

@ Maulwurf:

... see you in Hannover AND Dortmund! and Malmø/Odense, too?

Amrei

[rocketqueen]

@Amrei

Yes I am from Copenhagen and thank you so much for the offer. I will be going with two friends, one who is just as muc a fan of Cohens work and the other is very new to the whole thing. We are planning on taking the train to Malmö and back again. But if you have room for 3 young and happy people we wouldn't say no. And we could split the bridge costs. If not, we can always meet up for a drink later in Copenhagen if you plan on "celebraiting" after the concert.

[lizzytysh]

And what you are experiencing now, rocketqueen, is exactly as easy as it goes . May you find many long-lasting friendships through here.


~ Lizzy

[donalagata]

*

[carlowmike]

another member wrote :-
the stage is darkened, one single light shining down on an old man wearing a fine suit who holds a guitar.
he starts to play - nothing! you know that he' s playing because you do see it happen. but there' s just no sound.
you then recognize a person approaching the old man from the dark behind him. that person plugs in the cable which connects the guitar to the amplifier. the guitar echoes in the hall.*applause* the old man turns around and lifts his hat for the friendly helper who disappeared into the dark again.

I was there in Berlin when that happened and then he played and sang "Avalanche"
I have been to hundreds of everyone's concerts
but that was the greatest few moments I ever experienced at a performance ever...
it was on youtube for awhile....

[Maulwurf]

carlowmike,

it' s me, "another member"

and i have to tell you:

it' s still on youtube.
just a short video with the beginning of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCJol-4r ... xeBgeueJkY

quite frankly, that was my first ever concert of "popular" music, but i agree with you:
that moment was just awesome.
and the song itself is so amazing - one of my favorites.

amrei,

cu in hannover and dortmund! i would love to do malmo as well. but i' m afraid i just can' t afford it

greetings

[Ballygal]

My First Time!
Unlike some of the others here, my experience was recent, only last year when Leonard came to Belfast, so i can remember it very clearly.
My partner had bought us the tickets (One of the best things he's ever done!) and while i was excited about this it was only because i had memories of his music from student days in the 70's and I had no idea of what a night i would have!
Music had never been a big part of my upbringing since parents were evangelical Christians who reckoned hymns were all one needed for music! In all my 15 years of married life,the husband was more into classical so i had really no idea what was in store.
Well from the moment this elderly gentleman skipped onto the stage like a teenager, he had all those thousands of people in the palm of his hand with a gentleness, a warmth and a love that spread from that stage straight into every single person's heart.
I know i wasn't alone and didn't even feel embarrassed as I blubbered for most of the concert, a mixture of awe, happiness, and disbelief with all i was seeing hearing, and experiencing--Oh that voice -- It was as if he was singing each precious word just for me alone. I was being enchanted, and mesmerised into a state of pure joy. Heaven on earth. Partner has been very generous in not dumping me as i tell anyone who hasn't experienced a night with Leonard that it was the best night of my life!!
Now my OH wears a hat and i mean WEARS A HAT! I just love being out with him when he has one on but LC can use that hat like no one else can. I'm going all goose bumps just thinking about it!!(So i bought my OH a proper LC one for Christmas!)
I could go on and on but suffice it to say HE was the one that just kept on going, encore after encore. None wanted it to end and he with those brilliant Webb sisters, Sharon Robinson and all the others kept the magic going till very late. I do remember that long after the concert ended, i sat on not wanting to go out to the real world but just to stay in that hall with his voice still reverberating through my body, mind and soul.
Talking about it even now brongs a tear to my eye! That man is such a poet, philosopher, and gentleman. You will have your own Leonard night. Look forward to it. Go along with an open heart and you will come out a better person!!

[LEONKA]

Hello, rocketqueen.

Welcome to the forum.

In my heart is a craze, I see Leonard also the first time in my life for yourself and live to be first in Katowice 4. October and then in Bratislava 13. October. The Katowice I decided to because it's close to Slovakia. I suppose the music of Leonard well you know, that brings you joy and wellbeing. Leonard music is what warms your heart, reel feet and hands applauding in rhythm. His voice will deliver to heaven, you feel that you do not back down to earth. Leonard eyes are what you watch, the whole concert. I love the look on his eyes.

Leonard remains in your eyes, your mind and heart forever as well, whether you are sad or happy. I hope my emotions at the concert but I keep rather not guarantee it. Leonard songs you absorb so that the concert will not be anything else around you to see and hear only Leonard. You'll feel like giving you power of life and love, you'll enjoy, every concert, also every word and movement of Leonard. Enjoy. Leonard opens the heart for us who love him.

The concert will be the magic of seduction.

I'm not a poet, got it in her heart arrow
Anyone who has a Leonard fan.

[sandraa]

ballygal- i agree that the Belfast concert was excellent- i took some photos on the night which you may like to look at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandraarms ... 058052856/

[ladydi]

Hi Sandra,

Your photos are fabulous! The Nikon 700 is a great camera and it was interesting to check the settings you used. All the photos are wonderful but I think my favourite is 5972...the silhouetted one of LC after he's left the stage. Nice!!

Diana