Announcement of the Nov 27 concert in Phnom Penh

[guest]

How would you explain the Hawaii cancellation then Geoff?? Remember, this is not the first time this tour.

I don't know anything about that concert but my point only that this has happened a lot in SE Asia, and knowing countries like Thailand and Cambodia there maybe good reasons for this that were unseen at first and totally outside of AEG's control. Clearly Leonard and AEG are trying to schedule concerts in new locations which is something that we can only encourage. But we should not get too upset when these things don't work out. We don't actually know what the cause of this cancellation is. It maybe AEG but it maybe equally be a government official or someone like that. And the reason the Hawaii concert was canned maybe totally different.

Of course everyone can complain about this if they like but it won't make the concerts come back and it won't make you feel any better.

[Evie B]

Easy to be even-handed when I haven't lost hard-earned on travel and/or hotels for cancelled shows. I do find it difficult to be hyper-critical of AEG/Leonard's management. It is not unusual to announce new concerts during a tour, or add additional nights at a venue when there is a quick sell out. I have been so grateful for the shows they have put on that I have been lucky enough to go to.
At the weekend my daughter was at her wits end trying to get sit-down tickets for the Take That concerts at Wembley. The several ticket agents' systems melted down and she spent the best part of two days constantly trying, once even getting to checkout before she was slung out. They were adding new dates quite quickly but sadly she, along with hundreds of thousands of others, never did get tickets. These concerts are in next June/July. I have never had this trouble getting tickets for Leonard!
We mustn't forget the Tour has already absorbed Moscow which clearly had lowish ticket sales - the travel/hotels/visa expenses must have eaten into the profits if any. The adventurous attempt to reach into Cambodia (and Hawaii) now looks a bit over-optimistic with 20:20 hindsight and a cut and run solution probably the only route.
But you are all right who say it is probably safer to stick to the ready markets regardless of fans elsewhere, at least those fans know where they stand if they decide to make the long trip.
Evie B

[Davido]

I think you could very well be right Scott.

Personally, I wonder if scheduling Cambodia cost us a Honolulu show. If Cambodia was never in the picture, they could have just stopped here for a couple of days on the way from Australia to the mainland.

I thought this too.Shameful.
- Dave

[Spambeano]

Word has it that it was the local promoter that dropped the ball.

Mekong Sessions made promises which could not be kept. In the end Mr. Cohen's management had to make the difficult decision to pull the plug.

I guess we'll just have to hope there is another tour in 2011/2012.

[strangemusic]

Word has it that it was the local promoter that dropped the ball.

Mekong Sessions made promises which could not be kept. In the end Mr. Cohen's management had to make the difficult decision to pull the plug.

I guess we'll just have to hope there is another tour in 2011/2012.

This is my impression too. Plainly, Mekong Sessions overestimated how many people locally would pay the outrageous ticket prices they were charging, it was far from a sellout, and AEG had to pull the plug. As I remember, the organizer, Chris Mingko, was quite indignant towards those who questioned the pricing policy. Now I wonder if he will make a statement actually owning up to the real reason behind this concert's cancellation. It has nothing to do with "logistical issues". You reckon they couldn't clear up logistical issues in a month's time? Not a chance. But they couldn't convince enough people to buy tickets at those inflated prices for a show in a dilapidated building with proceeds going to Cambodian Red Cross, under the patronage of the wife of the PM, head of one of the region's most corrupt governments.

After much debate, mainly as regards the involvement of Cambodian Red Cross, I did purchase a ticket, purely because of how much I enjoy Mr. Cohen's music. Booked non-refundable flights, hotel... And I know I'm not the only one who went to expense/effort only to be left holding the bag due to the unprofessional operations of the local organisers, Mekong Sessions.

Hope Cohen's people find a better group to work with next time and do the sensible thing -- make money by playing Singapore and Bangkok, and then do a charitable show in Cambodia at more reasonable prices and after vetting the charities receiving assistance more thoroughly.

[Mikeaus]

That was close. We were just about to book a flight from Canberra for the concert.

[GaryP27]

This is disappointing beyond belief.



I have loved his words and music since the first album, the novels, the poetry, missed seeing him in my twenties (in the UK), missed him twice in Europe (by a matter of days while on vacations I could not extend) and could not believe my luck to see him performing in Cambodia.

The tickets were dauntingly expensive. The air ticket was also expensive from where I am (Hong Kong) but I thought that once in this life I would get to see him live. I agonized over the price but then bought the tickets, and also bought air tickets and booked a hotel. Got time off work. It was a wild, quixotic, passionate, once-in-a-lifetime decision.

Now I am stuck with two unreturnable air tickets (at $1200), a booked hotel, a work leave (and an unmissable deadline the day after my return), and no desire or need to go to Phnom Penh for a weekend at all. The best reason to go to Cambodia is to see Angkor Wat, and Phnom Penh is the wrong jumping off point for that (it's five hours away - hardly a day trip).

I am now trapped into a trip to Phnom Penh I have no reason or desire to take. But even that is nothing compared with how disappointing the fact we are not seeing him is. And even if he rescheduled I would do it all over again (and am not independently wealthy).

I am sure he would not have cancelled if it could be helped, but it was gutting news both for myself and my lady friend. I thank his management for the offer of a CD, but of course I already have it. And the whole trip is now a reminder of what we are missing

Given that they knew hardcore Asia-based fans would be flying in for this, they really should not have announced until it was 100% on.

Somehow I now doubt I will see him perform in this lifetime. Asia has not figured big on this tour.

Even if I had his gift of words, I could not express......

Still I wish him well and thank him for the words and the music and the strength through hard times.

[GaryP27]

This is a terrible way to treat your fans. Concerts should still go ahead, for the sake of the few fans who have paid for tickets; Leonard should learn to take it on the chin if he doesn't make a hefty profit on each concert. I remember seeing the Electric Light Orchestra in concert and they still played, despite only about 200 fans turning up at the Glasgow Apollo.

I completely agree with this. There hasn't been a death in my family, my father or my dog has not just died, but it sure does feel like it. For us, this was going to be maybe the highlight of the decade. And I don't care how over-stated or pathetic that sounds to some. It really is how it hit us.

[davidrichards]

Evie B wrote
"We mustn't forget the Tour has already absorbed Moscow which clearly had lowish ticket sales - the travel/hotels/visa expenses must have eaten into the profits if any. The adventurous attempt to reach into Cambodia (and Hawaii) now looks a bit over-optimistic with 20:20 hindsight and a cut and run solution probably the only route."

Don't forget that it is not the artist who makes extra revenue or indeed loses money if a venue is undersold. The promoter agrees a "price" for the act and then usually with big names makes huge amounts of money by charging sometimes ridiculously inflated prices for tickets. It would not affect Leonard and entourage, financially, whether the venue was full or half full, they would still only get the "fee" agreed AND certainly do not feel sorry for promoters - they are like bankers, they wallow in it when times are good and moan when the going gets tough. Our sympathy must go to those who will not be watching the most accomplished band of musicians ever to be assembled!

[danslenoir]

Anyone so inclined can email Robert Kory (Leonard's Manager) at rkory@rkmgment.com

I would personally not be satisfied with the half-assed "sorry for any inconvenience caused" statement if I had shelled out money for flights and hotels, but perhaps that's just me.

[GaryP27]

Anyone so inclined can email Robert Kory (Leonard's Manager) at rkory@rkmgment.com

Thanks. I took your advice. I don't expect anything more than a form reply, but I wanted them to know.

[davidrichards]

As I said a few posts ago, the real problem lies with the promoter. They are the ones who agree the "fee" for the performers and they are then the ones who "promote" the concert and set the ticket prices. The performers will not make more money from a full house or less money from a half empty house. The promoters are also normally the ones who rake in the cash though I appreciate that this concert was meant to raise money for charity. Maybe requests for information should be directed to the promoters - Mekong Sessions. Email - cminko@themekongsessions.com

I don't know if it will do any good but at least any anger will be directed towards the promoters who are responsible for the concert rather than the performers who really have no say in the way it is organised!

Again the real losers are those who will not be watching the most accomplished band of musicians ever to be assembled! Our sympathy should be directed towards them.

[danslenoir]

As I said a few posts ago, the real problem lies with the promoter. They are the ones who agree the "fee" for the performers and they are then the ones who "promote" the concert and set the ticket prices. The performers will not make more money from a full house or less money from a half empty house. The promoters are also normally the ones who rake in the cash though I appreciate that this concert was meant to raise money for charity. Maybe requests for information should be directed to the promoters - Mekong Sessions. Email - cminko@themekongsessions.com

I don't know if it will do any good but at least any anger will be directed towards the promoters who are responsible for the concert rather than the performers who really have no say in the way it is organised!

Again the real losers are those who will not be watching the most accomplished band of musicians ever to be assembled! Our sympathy should be directed towards them.

Yes, perhaps you are right that sentiments of anger and frustration should be directed towards the promoter in this instance, though as yet there has been no formal statement from Leonard's camp indicating that this is the case. Therein lies part of the problem I think; communication has been pretty poor. I just think fans who have paid large sums of money that they will not be able to recover deserve more than a vague reason for this and "sorry for the inconvenience, but here's a free cd."

Lets not forget these "logistical" problems also occured in Honolulu where presumably a different promoter was involved.

[davidrichards]

Apologies if this has already been posted elsewhere - this is the reply (copied below) I received from Mekong Sessions - Must be an automated reply or they are very efficient as it only took a few minutes since I emailed them asking for info. It is interesting to note that they are obviously better informed than anyone else as they state that the "Phnom Penh concert has been postponed until 2011 at a date to be announced" and that "Leonard Cohen remains committed to performing in Cambodia in 2011 and Cohen, Robert Kory Management and AEG Live retain their full confidence in the local promoter, the Mekong Sessions, and will continue to work with the local promoter to ensure the concert goes ahead following the end of the 2010 World Tour."

The question now is - What do they know that we don't OR is this the typical brush off by a promoter when something has gone terribly wrong. Somehow I think that Leonard Cohen and his management team would have far more integrity about the whole situation and that this is an attempt to shift the blame by the promoters.

Email from Mekong Sessions

Leonard Cohen 27 November Phnom Penh concert postponed

Leonard Cohen, Robert Kory Management, AEG Live and the Mekong Sessions regret to inform ticket holders and fans that the 27 November Phnom Penh concert has been postponed until 2011 at a date to be announced due to logistical issues insurmountable in the given time prior to the performance.

Leonard Cohen, Robert Kory Management and the Mekong Sessions thank all ticket holders and sponsors for their support and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Leonard Cohen remains committed to performing in Cambodia in 2011 and Cohen, Robert Kory Management and AEG Live retain their full confidence in the local promoter, the Mekong Sessions, and will continue to work with the local promoter to ensure the concert goes ahead following the end of the 2010 World Tour.

In recognition of the aspirations and achievements of the persons with a disability of Cambodia and the important ongoing work in their support, Leonard Cohen will be making a significant humanitarian donation reflecting his immense goodwill to the nation of Cambodia .

All ticket holders will receive full refunds. Ticket holders who purchased by cash from the Mekong Sessions should visit the Mekong Sessions office in Phnom Penh from Wednesday 10th November

[GaryP27]

Right now I am paying $1200 for a CD. If the replacement concert comes off I cannot go unless it is a Saturday or Sunday. I will then have paid $2400 not counting the concert tickets. Yeah I am pissed and depressed. But it was not the promoters' name that persuaded me to book.