Flashback to the Aug financial institution vacation few days, 1970: it
is about 2am and Leonard Cohen, after being woken from his slumbers, is
prepared to adhere to the dazzling Jimi Hendrix on to the level at the Tropical
isle of Wight event to perform his first gig in England. After inexcusably resting through most of Hendrix, who would be
deceased within several weeks, I am also mixing. And what an awareness it shows
to be. A callow and wide-eyed 15-year-old, fascinated by the wonderful concept
of serenity and really like, man, I am about to have a transcendental encounter
that is nothing to do with the Afghan dark we have been cigarette smoking. For
the next efforts and a 50 percent or so, I will be paying attention to one of
the biggest performers to appear from the 1960s.
That morning, before he starts his mesmerising set, there is a
wonderful interlude, which I can still see in my mind's eye: Cohen requests
each of the 600,000 of us, or at least the ones still conscious, to mild a
coordinate so that he can identify us in the dark; he wants to see us
"sparkle like fireflies".
Now, 42 decades on, as he requires to the level in the less loving,
germ killing environment of Wembley Field, to perform the first of two night
period of time in England as aspect of a trip to advertise his record Old
Concepts, plenty of lighting sparkle in the viewers. Now, though, they project
from cell cellular phones rather than Swan Vestas.
The "lazy bastard residing in a suit", as he
self-deprecatingly explains himself on Going House, one of his wonderful new
music, is 77, an old man now, and I am no more a youngster, but what the
terrible. He essentially operates on to the level, beautifully wearing a fit,
of course, and a hat. And when, as the second music, he releases into The
Upcoming, I am mesmerised all over again.
The Canadian vocalist lyricist, who discharged his twelfth studio
collection 'old Ideas' in January 2012, will play seven dates in August and
September – bringing in at Bournemouth, Brighton, Manchester, Cardiff, Leeds
and Birmingham after an immense date at London's O2 Arena.
Leonard Cohen will play London O2 Arena at 14 September 2013. To check the
availability of Leonard Cohen tickets and get all the latest listings, go to premierevents or call
us on 020 7283 4040.