CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Everything about the first leg of Leonard Cohen's World Tour 2013
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sturgess66
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CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

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The venue, Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, is an entertainment and sports arena that opened in 1983.
The concert capacity is 19,000.
The City of Hamilton is located on the west tip of Lake Ontario. And I would suspect that a lot of Torontonians may be attending this show - since Toronto is only about 45 miles from Hamilton.

http://www.dose.ca/13/04/04/leonard-coh ... -us-hangin
Leonard Cohen Chooses to Play Smaller Canadian cities and Leaves Us Hangin’

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Dose.ca Music
April 4, 2013

We really shouldn’t have to give you any reasons as to why this is a must-see show, but in case you do need convincing, how about the fact that this man is a musical legend? Or that a Leonard Cohen show is a historic/iconic show?

With a successful career spanning decades (and decades!), this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is part of a rare club of musicians who actually manage to consistently produce influential songs that make a difference in the musical landscape, rather than putting out a couple of hit singles and following that up with an extremely successful career in drug abuse, law breaking and court appearances.

The singer-songwriter/poet/novelist is on his Old Ideas World Tour at the moment, supporting last year’s hit album of the same name, and although we’re still pissed about the fact that he’s bypassing us and going from Hamilton straight to Halifax, we can’t be too upset; it may be time for a road trip anyways. After all, being mad at a musical genius is kinda hard.

Leonard Cohen
April 9th | Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum
101 York Blvd, Hamilton
http://www.leonardcohen.com
stfa
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by stfa »

Looking forward To Tomorrow very much! Leonard has a long hisTory of greaT shows in The Hammer!!!!! :D
Hamilton Place April 1993, O'Keefe Toronto July 1993, Center in the Square Kitchener June 2nd 2008, Hamilton Place June 3rd 2008, Copps Coliseum, Hamilton May 19th 2009, Labatt's London May 24th 2009, ACC Toronto December 4th & 5th 2012, Labatts London Dec 11th 2012 Copps Coliseum Hamilton April 9 2013 Tower of Song, Centre Bell November 6th 2017
captrenault
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by captrenault »

Copps is a typical arena venue, with all that that implies, but -- always great shows in Hamilton. Very much looking forward to this!
Toronto, June 17/93; Toronto, May 13/06; Toronto, June 1/07; Hamilton, June 3/08; Montreal June 23/08; Montreal June 24/08; Hamilton, May 19/09, London, Dec. 11/12, Hamilton, Apr. 9/13; Irving Layton's 85th birthday party.
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

A picture from Chris Bynum's Facebook -
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Roscoe,Mitch & Alex having a little jam session before tonights show.

Looking at Twitter, there are a lot of excited people at Copps waiting for the show to start. And it sounds like it was a rainy day in Hamilton.
@_misslamb - Incredible seats at Leonard Cohen at @HECFI_fans, I love you @CBCHamilton. SO MUCH. http://yfrog.com/nz5wkigj
@cbhammer - My brother, Lee, my Mum and Rik just had some guy give them front row seats at Leonard Cohen! #messagefromgod !!!! https://twitter.com/cbhammer/status/321 ... 61/photo/1
@CBCLive - That's @cbc_music's @tompowercbc about to introduce one of his idols, Leonard Cohen. @CBCHamilton @CBCRadio2 https://twitter.com/CBCLive/status/3217 ... 0/photo/1s
@zoranbee - Rain-soaked in Hamilton, waiting for Leonard Cohen to come on stage.
@arvelomcquaig Going to Hamilton on the GO train for the first time for a Leonard Cohen concert. Hamilton so far seems like Transylvania, it's so gloomy
@buddhaontheroad If it has to be raining, at least there's Leonard Cohen.
@cosmiccrimes - I have a date tonight with Leonard Cohen. Now where's my waterproof mascara?
@tompowercbc - Just introduced Leonard Cohen at Copps in Hamilton. Felt slightly underdressed. Even the tech crew wears suits and ties.
@MaddieZed - Leonard Cohen. Get out here already. :P
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‏@JLRenn - Leonard Cohen acknowledging the crowd at Copps Coliseum Tuesday night. #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/CtzWnRmIKW
@achobak - Ain't no cure for my love for Cohen! #LeonardCohen #legend @CBC_Music pic.twitter.com/9NlJpgA40M https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BHc4pLBCQAEBm6y.jpg
@Deadhead1968-The #shaman Leonard Cohen is in town tonight...
@pameladclark - Leonard Cohen is too perfect to be human. I refuse to believe he has ever done anything ugly or undignified in his life.
‏@eimaj - he's only played 4 songs but this is one of my new favourite concerts #leonardcohen #cbcmusic
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

From Joey -
http://leonardcohen.tumblr.com/

Image
Keep Calm Hamilton
O’ Canada We’re Back
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

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@iambillymoon - #LeonardCohen is the one of the few men that will ever pull off a fedora.
@Too_Crowded - Leonard Cohen has spent more time on his knees than a hooker at Barton and Main St. #hamont #copps
@sarthepandabear - Leonard Cohen would be awesome at twitter.
@SpeckBros - Leonard Cohen in the Hammer. Awesome!
@KristenElysse - My mom is at the Leonard Cohen concert and I'm in bed at 9:30. Um?
@pointandwrite - This #leonardcohen concert has maybe the best indoor sound I've ever heard at a concert. #hamont
@nwoodley - Lots of men in hats part 2 @ #Leonardcohen http://instagram.com/p/X51CDgCpwq/
@PolarisPrize - Leonard Cohen is hilarious.
@midgitmusic - Check out those moves! #leonardcohen #hamont http://instagram.com/p/X6ExMzgFle/
@SecretAsianBen - Leonard Cohen only speaks the truth. @ Copps Coliseum http://instagram.com/p/X6Bi21xBr_/
‏@alynglazerman - #leonardcohen pic.twitter.com/MegyQkgewC https://twitter.com/alynglazerman/statu ... 72/photo/1
@Abigail_Santos1 - Amazzzzing concert! Fell in love w Leonard Cohen's soulful voice and gentlemen ways! Great performer!! #HamOnt
@alarson96 Save the last dance for me. #Leonard Cohen at Hamilton Place was AWESOME! Thank you Leonard!
@NatashaBangay - LEONARD COHEN WAS AMAZING. Best live performance I have ever seen! Great time with my dad ♥ pic.twitter.com/9DwfWHeIYJ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BHd2daECEAA4Dy1.jpg
@fordebr - Great Hamilton concert. Leonard Cohen keeps getting better.
@Doots_Mayhem - That's Leonard Cohen offering 3.5 hrs of boundless energy for Copps Hamilton. Beauty show. #worshipatthealtarofsong pic.twitter.com/3e7MQKuNRc https://twitter.com/Doots_Mayhem/status ... 5747577857
@DuncanDFletcher - 3 1/2 hours, 3 encores. Leonard Cohen, hardest working man in showbiz. Fantastic show.
@hilary_johnston - Leonard Cohen played for 3.5 hours and I missed my train home, totally worth it. Amazing show.
@sam_berrie - Thanks Leonard Cohen for the 6 encores, I had no intention of going home to bed anyways ..... #justkidding #gettobed
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@midgitmusic Thanks for a fantastic evening @Abigail_Santos1 and @CBCHamilton !!! #HamOnt #leonardcohen pic.twitter.com/wskYmXhLmp
Last edited by sturgess66 on Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:03 am, edited 5 times in total.
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

"Cohen, dressed in his trademark dark fedora and baggy suit"
Baggy suit? HA HA
Um - no - not Leonard!

http://www.thespec.com/whatson/article/ ... n-at-copps

Graham Rockingham
Tue Apr 09 2013 21:30:00

Dancing to the end of love … Leonard Cohen at Copps

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Leonard Cohen, 78, brought his Old Ideas World to Copps Coliseum on Tuesday night, much to the delight of some 7,000 fans.
John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator

Leonard Cohen brought his seemingly never-ending Old Ideas World to Copps Coliseum on Tuesday night, much to the delight of some 7,000 fans.

At 78, the Montreal-born poet showed no sign of slowing down, opening what was expected to be a three-hour performance with his 1984 anthem, Dance Me To The End Of Love.

“I hope this is not a farewell tour,” Cohen said after the opening number. “I don’t know when we’ll meet again but I promise you tonight we’ll give you everything we’ve got.”

Backed by a stellar nine-piece ensemble that included Sharon Robinson and the Webb Sisters on backing vocals, Cohen bowed humbly to the audience before meandering through hallowed songs like Bird On The Wire, Ain’t No Cure For Love, First We Take Manhattan, Who By Fire, The Future and Everybody Knows before taking a short intermission.

Cohen, dressed in his trademark dark fedora and baggy suit, also threaded in several songs from his latest CD, Old Ideas, including Darkness, Come Healing and Amen.

It was Cohen’s fourth performance in Hamilton since 2008 when he performed back-to-back concerts at Hamilton Place. Cohen, who is nominated for Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year at the Juno Awards in Regina on April 21, returned to Hamilton the following year to perform before a much larger crowd at Copps.

Graham Rockingham will file a complete review after the concert.

grockingham@thespec.com

905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec
HelenOE
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by HelenOE »

sturgess66 wrote:"I hope this is not a farewell tour,” Cohen said after the opening number.
I think it's safe to say we hope too. But this hint at his intentions is very heartening.
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

From Joey - see the link for more - the photoset -
http://leonardcohen.tumblr.com/

Image
Hamilton it has been too long already.
Last edited by sturgess66 on Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
stfa
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by stfa »

Did not disappoint, great show,great crowd response, started 8:10ish ended 11:46ish…..Moved Manhattan to 2nd last in 1st set. Show Me the Place only surprise (and Lover which I had never seen live before). Changed settings on Casio to show off during tower and did Lennon at Shea Stadium elbow on keyboard very funny!!!! Very strong Alexandra Leaving, partial standing ovation well deserved Sharon was on fire!!
Great version of Amen, Going Home…..hell it was all great……what else would you expect
Hamilton Place April 1993, O'Keefe Toronto July 1993, Center in the Square Kitchener June 2nd 2008, Hamilton Place June 3rd 2008, Copps Coliseum, Hamilton May 19th 2009, Labatt's London May 24th 2009, ACC Toronto December 4th & 5th 2012, Labatts London Dec 11th 2012 Copps Coliseum Hamilton April 9 2013 Tower of Song, Centre Bell November 6th 2017
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

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http://www.thespec.com/news/local/artic ... n-at-copps
Graham Rockingham
Wed Apr 10 2013 01:03:00

Cohen at Copps
Dancing to the end of love …


The fact that Leonard Cohen is nominated for the Artist of the Year Juno alongside Justin Bieber demonstrates just how ludicrous awards’ shows can be.

The comparison between the 78-year-old poet and the 19-year-old pop star may seem laughable, but it’s got to be made. The folks who run the Juno Awards, which will be broadcast live from Regina on April 21, actually have these two “artists” nominated in the same category.

It’s The Bard vs. The Biebs (as well as Carly Rae Jepsen, Johnny Reid and Deadmau5).

As the 7,000 or so people who attended his remarkable concert at Copps Coliseum discovered Tuesday night – if they didn’t know already – Cohen is the true artist. Not just “artist of the year,” but artist for all of time.

Cohen trotted out on stage at 8:10 p.m. and literally skipped off it at 11:40, three-and-a-half hours later. He and his exceptionally talented nine-member backing ensemble performed 29 songs, including three sets of encores.

The first standing ovation began before he even had a chance to start his opening anthem, Dance Me To The End Of Love. There were several more to follow, as Cohen delved deep into his expansive repertoire of life, death, love, sex and the whole damn thing.

“I hope this is not a farewell tour,” Cohen said after the opening number. “I don’t know when we’ll meet again, but I promise that tonight we’ll give you everything we’ve got.”

He breezed through hallowed classics like Bird On A Wire, Ain’t No Cure For Love, First We Take Manhattan, Tower Of Song, I’m Your Man, So Long Marianne, Suzanne, Famous Blue Raincoat and the revered Hallelujah.

Just to prove that he’s still got plenty more songs in him, Cohen weaved in a half dozen entries from his latest CD, Old Ideas. The new material stood shoulder to shoulder with his better known work, especially Anyhow, a jazz-inspired song of not-so-deep regret, and Darkness, a bluesy howl that mines the black hole of depression.

Cohen’s sub-baritone delivery captured the essence of his poetry with stunning clarity, often from a kneeling position as if in prayer to an unseen muse.

Five years of rigorous touring has polished his stage show to a state of perfection. The stage patter is sometimes a bit too familiar and the set-lists are perhaps overly structured, but none of that really matters. Cohen’s graceful wit, unrehearsed humility easily wins over any audience. The man oozes old-school charm, even doffing his fedora and holding it to his chest when his three backing singers – The Webb Sisters and Sharon Robinson – took their solos.

Sure, Bieber can dance up a storm. But Cohen dances with his words. His songs are throbbing, unrelenting bites of both beauty and disfigurement.

To call Bieber an “artist” stretches the meaning of the word. He is a teen idol, teamed up with all the hit-making machinery the music business can offer.

Cohen is in a different class than the other nominated “artists.” Hopefully, the Juno voters have figured that out and, when the winner is announced April 21 for artist of the year, it will be The Bard accepting the award and not The Biebs.

grockingham@thespec.com

905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec
SET LIST

Leonard Cohen at Copps Coliseum
Tuesday, April 9

Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
Who By Fire
Darkness
Ain’t No Cure For Love
Amen
Come Healing
First We Take Manhattan
A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)
Anthem

Second Set

Tower of Song
Suzanne
Waiting for the Miracle
Show Me the Place
Anyhow
Lover Lover Lover
Alexandra leaving (sung by Sharon Robinson)
I’m Your Man
Hallelujah
Take This Waltz

Encore

So Long Marianne
Going Home
Closing Time

Second Encore

Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
Save the Last Dance

Third Encore

I Tried To Leave
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by astranger »

I can't help but think that this 2013 tour has a fire to it that the 2012 tour did not. Simply incredible. It is an energy that is hard to describe, aside from the incredible talents of Leonard and the band. It just gets better.
Jake.........Durham, NC 11-3-09; Brooklyn, NY 12-20-12
sue7
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by sue7 »

Thanks for posting the review by Graham Rockingham from the Spec, Linda.
I really loved this line:
Cohen dances with his words. His songs are throbbing, unrelenting bites of both beauty and disfigurement.
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Mabeanie1
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by Mabeanie1 »

astranger wrote:I can't help but think that this 2013 tour has a fire to it that the 2012 tour did not. Simply incredible. It is an energy that is hard to describe, aside from the incredible talents of Leonard and the band. It just gets better.
I can't agree that 2013 has a fire to it that wasn't there in 2012 Jake - but I do think your observation is spot on for the 2012/13 tour versus some of the earlier shows in e.g. 2009. You're right - it does get better and better!

Wendy
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sturgess66
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Re: CONCERT REPORT - Hamilton, Ontario - April 9, 2013

Post by sturgess66 »

Video uploaded by "ideology isforlosers" - Thanks!

If It Be Your Will
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkhUO8rbc8w

Alexandra Leaving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWxN5uYNHP4

Who By Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoO7KbBuF1E
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