Old Ideas World Tour Index 2012
"Leonard Cohen Announces 'Old Ideas World Tour 2012'"
AEG Live, March 26, 2012
AEG Live present
LEONARD COHEN
ANNOUNCES "OLD IDEAS WORLD TOUR 2012"
"Baby I've been here before, I know this room I've walked this floor..."
26 March 2012 -- Following the release of Leonard Cohen's highly acclaimed twelfth studio album 'Old Ideas,' the legendary singer/songwriter/poet will once again return to the stage with an all new tour and #1 Album.
To the delight of his legions of fans, the magnetic and inimitable Leonard Cohen returns to the scene with the most emotive, poignant and legendary concerts yet. The World Tour will begin August 12, 2012 in Belgium, St Peters Square, Ghent. Tickets go on sale March 30, 2012. Leonard will return to North America this Fall, details to be announced soon. For more information visit www.Leonardcohen.com.
In his sixth decade of producing critically acclaimed music, Leonard Cohen remains at the top of his game and is arguably one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time. Reaching unprecedented heights, 'Old Ideas' debuted at #1 across the globe and is the highest charting album of Cohen's career. Worldwide praise has been mounting for this highly anticipated collection of new material with The Telegraph declaring it as a "work of genius."
Citing W.B Yeats, Irving Layton and Walt Whitman as literary influences Cohen first shot to the forefront of the music industry in the 60's and has remained an inspirational talent and contributor to the industry since he first emerged. His lyrics of lust, love, religion, death and seclusion have enlightened fans and musicians worldwide. Boasting an estimated 1,330 covers of his original songs, Leonard Cohen's work has enamoured the likes of U2, REM, Nick Cave and the late Johnny Cash, among many others.
His albums Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), The Future (1993) and Ten New Songs (2001) are rightly considered classics along with the beautiful singles "Hallelujah" and "Suzanne". His literary genius and unique musical talent are as legendary as the man himself.
Leonard Cohen earned rave reviews throughout his triumphant 2008-2010 World Tour, with The Observer praising the show as "An evening of pure gold," while The Daily Telegraph plainly stated "immaculate, beautiful, exquisite." The Independent reported that "to hear him sing is still an experience to truly make young women and romantics shiver and sweat" and Toronto Sun declared Leonard Cohen "Charming, funny, poignant, smart, sharp, sexy... he is still a ladykiller." Daily Express hailed that "Leonard Cohen is special and this concert - all two-and-a-half-hours of it - was unforgettable" and Irish Independent recounted that "What I witnessed was soul inspiring on every level, I have never been so moved by a performance, everything about the night was magical." The Times suggested "On this kind of grand autumnal form, he should tour every year."
"Leonard Cohen Announces North American Dates for 'Old Ideas World Tour 2012'"
AEG Live, May 3, 2012
LEONARD COHEN
NORTH AMERICAN DATES ANNOUNCED FOR
"OLD IDEAS WORLD TOUR 2012"
May 3, 2012 - Legendary singer/songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen will be gracing stages throughout the U.S. and Canada with a new live show, beginning October 31st in Austin, TX. The North American leg of Cohen's "Old Ideas World Tour 2012" follows on the heels of his previously announced European concert dates. The tour, promoted by AEG Live and presented in Canada by CBCMUSIC.CA, celebrates Cohen's highly acclaimed twelfth studio album, Old Ideas. The album debuted at #1 across the globe, making it the highest charting album of his career. Tickets for the Canadian tour dates will go on sale starting Friday, May 11th and U.S. dates will go on sale starting Friday, May 18th. For updated tour information visit www.LeonardCohen.com.
The "Old Ideas World Tour 2012" follows Cohen's triumphant 2008-2010 world tour - his first in 15 years -- which was met with overwhelming praise. The New York Times reported that "Mr. Cohen sang these words with a kind of gracious generosity...awash in wild applause," while The San Jose Mercury News reported "The show underscored what his fans already know: Leonard Cohen is one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the history of popular music." The Victoria Times Colonist reported that Cohen received "an automatic standing ovation at what was clearly the Church of Leonard." The Vancouver Sun called the show "nothing short of a religious experience" and the Toronto Sun declared Leonard Cohen "Charming, funny, poignant, smart, sharp, sexy... he is still a ladykiller."
In his sixth decade of producing critically acclaimed music, Leonard Cohen is arguably one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time. Old Ideas, released on January 31, 2012 by Columbia Records, has earned worldwide accolades for its highly acclaimed collection of new songs. USA Today raves that "Old Ideas is the work of a master craftsman," while Rolling Stone gave the album 4 1/2 stars. TIME Magazine states, "Listeners have been relying on Cohen's heartbroken yet grinning, world-weary yet hopeful voice to get through that night for decades, and this album should continue that for a whole new batch of souls." Newsday hails Old Ideas as "GRADE A... Stunningly simple, incredibly deep and destined to be a classic." The Telegraph (UK) reports that "Old Ideas is an unexpected and precious gift of new gems from an old master," and The Irish Times exclaimed that "The more you play it the better it gets." The Times (South Africa) commended it as "an album of poetic and pared-down musical genius," and the Montreal Gazette simply states that "Lyrically, Cohen is at the top of his game."
"Video Promoting Leonard Cohen's North American Tour"
AEGLive, May 8, 2012
"Old Ideas World Tour European Summer/Fall 2012 Schedule"
AEG Live, March 26, 2012 (Updated April 23, 2012)
Check www.Leonardcohen.com for further information.
"Old Ideas World Tour North American Fall/Winter 2012 Schedule"
AEG Live, May 3, 2012
| October 31 |
Austin, TX |
Bass Concert Hall |
on sale now |
| November 1 |
Austin, TX |
Bass Concert Hall |
on sale now |
| November 3 |
Denver, CO |
1st Bank Center |
on sale now |
| November 5 |
Los Angeles, CA |
Nokia Theatre |
on sale now |
| November 7 |
San Jose, CA |
HP Pavilion |
on sale now |
| November 9 |
Seattle, WA |
Key Arena |
on sale now |
| November 11 |
Portland, OR |
Rose Garden |
on sale now |
| November 12 |
Vancouver, BC |
Rogers Arena |
on sale now |
| November 16 |
Calgary, AB |
Scotiabank Saddledome |
on sale now |
| November 18 |
Edmonton, AB |
Rexall Place |
on sale now |
| November 20 |
Saskatoon, SK |
Credit Union Centre |
on sale now |
| November 23 |
Chicago, IL |
Akoo Theatre |
on sale now |
| November 26 |
Detroit, MI |
Fox Theatre |
on sale now |
| November 28 |
Montreal, QC |
Bell Centre |
on sale now |
| November 29 |
Montreal, QC |
Bell Centre |
on sale now |
| December 2 |
Quebec City, QC |
Colisee Pepsi |
on sale now |
| December 4 |
Toronto, ON |
Air Canada Centre |
on sale now |
| December 5 |
Toronto, ON |
Air Canada Centre |
on sale now |
| December 7 |
Ottawa, ON |
Scotiabank Place |
on sale now |
| December 11 |
London, ON |
John Labatt Centre |
on sale now |
| December 13 |
Kingston, ON |
K-Rock Centre |
on sale now |
| December 15 |
Boston, MA |
The Wang Theatre |
on sale now |
| December 16 |
Boston, MA |
The Wang Theatre |
on sale now |
| December 18 |
New York City, NY |
Madison Square Garden |
on sale now |
| December 20 |
Brooklyn, NY |
Barclays Center |
on sale now |
Check www.Leonardcohen.com for further information.
"Old Ideas World Tour 2012 Band"
March 26, 2012. Updated March 1, 2013.
Roscoe Beck - bass & vocal (Musical Director)
Sharon Robinson - vocal
Charlie and Hattie Webb - vocal, guitar, harp
Neil Larsen - keyboard, accordion, brass instruments
Mitch Watkins - electric guitar (see below)
Javier Mas - acoustic guitar, oud & misc string instrument
Rafael Gayol - drums & percussion
Alexandru Bublitchi - violin (see below)
Mitch Watkins
Mitch Watkins replaces Bob Metzger on the 2012 Old Ideas World Tour. Mitch was born and raised in Texas and has his own band which plays in the Austin area. He was the founding member of Passenger, the band that backed Leonard during the 1979-80 tour that produced the Field Commander Cohen album. Check out Mitch's website. And here are some youtubes of Mitch's performances today.
Alex Bublitchi
Alex Bublitchi represents an addition to the band from the 2008-2010 World Tour. Alex was the violinist for Acordes con Leonard Cohen, the series of Spanish tribute concerts that resulted in an album.
by Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, September 4, 2012.
Summertime is traditionally when the biggest tours hit the road, but apparently a lot of major artists missed the memo this year. Tons of top-level acts are hitting the road this fall - including the Who, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and the Rolling Stones. Some of these artists have been plugging away all year, while others are just now gearing up for the road. Here's our guide to 27 of this fall's hottest tours and concerts.
Dates: October 31st-December 20th
At 77, Leonard Cohen has more energy than just about any other performer on the road. His shows are three-hour journeys through his entire 45-year catalog. Every moment is absolutely stunning - just ask anyone who saw his last unforgettable tour in 2008 or 2009. Do whatever you can to get tickets.
by Team Buzzine, Buzzine Music, December 27, 2012.
For all the fears of the music industry being in decline or in danger of slipping into the sea, no such concern was displayed by the music fans and their attendance of live shows in 2012. Some of the newest and brightest artists made compelling cases for the necessity of getting up and doing it live, whilst the elder statesmen showed crowds exactly how it's done. As always, there were too many great nights of bleary eyes, blown-out ears and after party taco trucks to list here, but for now, here is Buzzine's list of the top 5 live acts of 2012...
Leonard Cohen: At 78 years of age the legendary singer-songwriter celebrated the release of his twelfth studio album Old Ideas with a monumental tour that would have killed a great number of lesser artists. Playing nightly shows of over 3 and a half hours long, the set list flowed like a greatest hits and influential tunes from 40 years at the top end of pop culture. The enigmatic presence, the ability to cut the rug and a sense of comedic time showed why Cohen remains a point of reference for all things good, true and just in this dark and lonely universe.
by Mike Bell, Calgary Herald, December 24, 2012.
While it might be a time of the year when people focus on what we don't have, what we need and what we want (guy reading this waiting in line for door buster deals -- we're looking at you), let's put that aside for a second and look back on what we got and what we were blessed with in 2012.
More specifically, the musical memories that came the city's way over the past 12 months, which were many and eclectic and still resonate now as we put the year to rest.
From festivals to small-club shows to big-name Saddledome affairs, it seemed like there wasn't a week with multiple must-see offerings.
Here's a sampling of the best, with a few of the worst as well so the dark part of the human psyche gets its due, too...
Leonard Cohen (Nov 16 at the Saddledome)
Granted, there was no critical consensus about the old master's return to Calgary. But for many -- including yours truly -- this was a highlight of the year, a mesmerizing celebration of song performed with grace, polish and gratitude. At 78, Cohen can command more attention by simply removing his fedora than most performers earn in an entire evening. But his powerful stage presence aside, it was the songs, the voice and the confidence that made this special, achieving a level of intimacy that I've never seen before at the Saddledome.
by Bernard Perusse, Montreal Gazette, December 26, 2012.
TOP FIVE CONCERTS:
4. Leonard Cohen (Bell Centre, Nov. 28): Backed by a band that just keeps getting better on this neverending tour, Montreal's favourite son actually improved on his 2008 shows at Place des Arts. The sound was better, the set list was boosted with songs from Old Ideas and the love from the audience... well, that stayed the same.
by James Reaney, The London Free Press, January 2, 2013.
Even when it's time to listen forward, the best way to do that can be to listen back.
As 2013 unfolds, it's possible to predict such sonic delights as a truckload of guitar heroes coming our way in the next few months. Some of those distinguished six-stringers will be profiled in Saturday's editions of The Free Press.
As for listening back, there was plenty to hear in 2012 hereabouts -- all the way from A to Zed.
In terms of "A-list" visitors, there were such stars as Western-trained soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, Calgary wit Jann Arden, country music's Alan Jackson and Canadian rocker Bryan Adams,ZZ Top were back, with the Zed-men riffing and joking as agelessly as ever.
You want London content for A to Z? How about Amabile Choirs or rock and ro
ll band Arkham Dispatch to start and The Zellots, reunited with their original ace lineup for the first time in more than 30 years.
However you measure the start and stop, the range of good music here in 2012 was remarkable. Canadian classical music stars James Ehnes and Jan Lisiecki registered strongly as did county music's Carrie Underwood and Loretta Lynn.
Rising rockers The Sheepdogs were here and so, in what was billed as his first London concert, was 1970s' superstar Neil Diamond.
Kathleen Edwards and Quartette were among the stars at 2012's Home County Music and Art fest, while jazz titans Chick Corea and Gary Burton teamed at Aeolian Hall.
In terms of Canadian showbiz history, the year's moment was Canada's Country Gentleman and hometown hero Tommy Hunter choosing to end his farewell tour on his 75th birthday at a packed RBC Theatre at what was then the John Labatt Centre. Among the honours on that memorable March 20, 2012 was Hunter's induction into the London Music Hall of Fame.
CONCERT OF THE YEAR (Tie)
NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE, Oct. 6, Budweiser Gardens
LEONARD COHEN, Dec. 11, Budweiser Gardens
The two Canadian stars took different paths to excellence at the downtown arena. Both are repeat winners in the category, having shared top spot in 2009 with Jay-Z.
The hip-hopper wasn't here in 2012. Cohen and Young were back with concerts to savour.
Cohen united a crowd of 5,500 fans, charmed by his wit and agility and worshipful in their respect for the perfect sound, majestic nine-piece band and all those songs.
Cohen, 78, suggested he might be back when he's 80. We can hope. All he did this time was provide three-hours-plus of the artist as a poised and poetic older man.
Young riled many of the 9,200 fans at his sold-out show by grunging and garaging it out with Crazy Horse in a concert marked by songs from an album he had yet to release. The view here is artists willing to display new works are the big thrill and if this one is headlining a tour with Los Lobos on the same bill, wow. Double the joy.
As for forcing fans into unfamiliar terrain, Young did the same thing in London back in 1973 when a crowd primed for Harvest hits heard songs from the held back as too-dark-for-the-charts Tonight's The Night. Some of the same stage props were likely still part of the eccentric touches around Young.
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