Immediately following his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Leonard Cohen announced his world tour…
Marking a return to the live arena after 15 years, he is scheduled to open in Toronto on June 6 and 7, the city that gave birth to his career as a recording and literary artist, and then play Europe in the remainder of June, July, August and early September.
Cohen is arguably the greatest singer songwriter of modern times. At his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, he as recognized by Lou Reed as without question one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater mystery and depth as time goes one. Among those inducted with Cohen were: Madonna, John Mellencamp The Dave Clark Five, and the Ventures.
A celebrated and much lauded singer/songwriter he first emerged as a major and influential talent in the early 60’s. Albums like Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1967), Songs Of Love And Hate (1970) and Im Your Man (1990), right up to 1992s The Future, 2001s Ten New Songs and 2004s Dear Heather are rightly considered classics. Uniquely for a revered musician, Cohens literary plaudits rival those for his music.
His songs have been famously covered by the great and the good, each version a fascinating attempt to move closer to Cohens enigmatic muse. From Judy Collins Suzanne to Jeff Buckleys seminal rendition of Hallelujah, Cohens songs have traveled as far and wide as their author. U2, REM, Sting, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright and the late Johnny Cash are among other famous devotees. It is estimated that his songbook has been covered over 1,330 times by other recording artists.
In 2008, Cohens live tour will be as varied as his influence. He plays the UKs legendary Glastonbury Festival on June 29, for 150,000 fans. The Montreux Jazz Festival and Spains Bennicasim are also stand out dates among arena shows at the O2 in London and more intimate dates such as Torontos Sony Centre and the Manchesters Opera House in the UK. Rob Hallett from AEG Live said, For many this tour will be the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the legend that is Leonard Cohen. We as a company are honored to bring this long rumored tour to reality across the globe.
In all, the tour will take in fans, from intimate theatres to rock festivals proving the remarkable reach of Cohens words and music across nations and generations. He will be joined by world renowned musicians: Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals, music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals), Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, oud & misc. string instruments), Christine Wu Violin, viola, cello & keyboard, Rafael Gayol (drums & percussion) and Dino Soldo (keyboard, saxophone, wind instruments & vocals).
Cohen has been a SONY/BMG recording artist for his entire career. He continues as an active songwriter with much anticipated new work that is planned for release later this year.
Cohen is beyond comparison and a true original, providing some of music and literatures most illuminating writing on love, sex, death and religion.
This is a world tour of epic proportions, but it is something even more than that. Leonard Cohen’s eagerly anticipated return to the stage after all these years is nothing short of musical history in the making.
AEG Live is promoting the tour worldwide. Cohen is represented by Los Angeles attorney Robert Kory and Core Management Company.
Leonard Cohen’s World Tour Itinerary (as of 10-Mar-08)
DATE CITY VENUE
06-Jun-08 Toronto Sony Centre For The Performing Arts
07-Jun-08 Toronto Sony Centre For The Performing Arts
14-Jun-08 Dublin IMMA
17-Jun-08 Manchester Manchester International Festival, Opera House
18-Jun-08 Manchester Manchester International Festival, Opera House
19-Jun-08 Manchester Manchester International Festival, Opera House
20-Jun-08 Manchester Manchester International Festival, Opera House
23-Jun-08 Montreal Place des Arts
24-Jun-08 Montreal Place des Arts
25-Jun-08 Montreal Place des Arts
26-Jun-08 Montreal Place des Arts
29-Jun-08 Glastonbury Glastonbury Festival
01-Jul-08 Oslo Aliset Stadium
03-Jul-08 Helsingborg Open Air
05-Jul-08 Copenhagen Rosenborg Castle
06-Jul-08 Arhuus Raadhus Parken
08-Jul-08 Montreux Montreux Jazz Festival
09-Jul-08 Lyon Festival
10-Jul-08 Bruges Cactus
12-Jul-08 Amsterdam Westerdam
16-Jul-08 Edinburgh Castle
17-Jul-08 London The 02 Arena
19-Jul-08 Lisbon Passeio Maritimo
20-Jul-08 Bennicasim Festival
22-Jul-08 Nice Jazz Festival
25-Jul-08 Lorrach Stimmen De Welt
27-Jul-08 Lucca Summer Festival
29-Jul-08 Athens Lykabettus Theatre
03-Aug-08 Ledbury Big Chill
05-Aug-08 Istanbul Arena
06-Aug-08 Istanbul Arena
10-Aug-08 Prague Castle
12-Aug-08 Budapest Sziget
14-Aug-08 Girona Cap Roig
15-Aug-08 Girona Cap Roig
28-Aug-08 Vienna Opera House
29-Aug-08 Vienna Opera House
