leonardcohenforum.com

I understand how Gala feels

It is because we love Leonard that we feel so let down...haven't you ever been angry with someone who let you down like that? I can't understand why he isn't saying anything personally. I can barely read the posts about the Brisbane concert..and now a new venue in Victoria! What about us?? What about those disabled people supposedly given free tickets??

Thanks Gary for understanding...can't help but wallow in the pain

Dear Harriet 175/ Nicole,

I think that you are absolutely missing the point here. I am not opining about money being wasted. the disappointment is unquantifiable. as i said , we do not know if ever he will stage another concert in this region, and for alot of people this was supposed to be the concert of a lifetime. the fact that u can equate this to your own financial losses during the crisis is ridiculous. you say we do not know the facts. how are we supposed to know the facts when the management has been so tight-lipped about everything?? after all the effort the fans have put in, do you not think we deserve at least an explanation, rather than the standard 'logistical difficulties' template? hypothetically speaking, even if they were to refund my air ticket, and hotel , it would do nothing to quell my disappointment. not everything can be defined in monetary terms, you know.

Yes it is definitely not all about the money.

I for one have never flown anywhere for a concert and would never have contemplated such a thing but for the fact that Leonard is such an important figure to me..

I wonder what he is thinking..do you think he is even thinking of how disappointed we must be?? Somehow I thought he would care but he doesn't seem to.

I wonder who misunderstood whom?

My sympathy is still with you, and with the others who were let down by the organisers, in the sense that i don't consider the cancellation and organisation "right".
Definitely not, it wasn't right, rather handled with poor communication and little thought.
"Don't give me the world today, and tomorrow take it away".

And i understand that you would or even should "take action", but in my opinion rather confronting the "right" people in a "fairer" way. Finding out will take time.
(by this i meant: writing a letter of complaint e.g. to the Mekong organisation, AEG, also writing to Cohen’s management, listing the complaints,
tell them why you are so disappointed about what– so that they know - i am not saying i'm trusting the others involved, AEG or Mekong etc...).
Still this is only my opinion, you may do whatever you like (you can blame the musicians, you can blame xxx..).

I am afraid i do not sympathise with the direction of your negative emotions.
Personally i found your comments against some people hurtful,
although i understand that you were obviously hurt when making these comments.

it is still my personal impression that the debate went into a "wrong" direction,
i am quoting only some of your statements:
"
Leonard could have personally issued a heartfelt apology but he didnt bother as well.
What I'm sure I WONT be doing is ever listening again to any music by Mr Cohen.
They can take their free CD and shove it where the sun dont shine
How can you have faith in someone who royally screwed so many of your fans?
Yeah I am pissed and depressed. But it was not the promoters' name that persuaded me to book.
Leonard has been with me through all the ups and downs of life and this feels like a huge betrayal somehow..why is he not saying anything to us?
How can he not know how much people like us really love him and what he means to us??
What is even worse..I can't seem to listen to his songs anymore so even that is lost..
"
In my mind, when the management/performer is not issuing a 2nd statement, at this time,
it does not necessarily mean that the respectice people do not bother or do not care.

I had always thought it would be rather the contrary:
possibly it is because the management and the performer do care, and do feel bad about letting fans down – that they may be at a loss for words, and are cautious and hesitating regarding what they can say at all to those fans who were let down. Which words or actions would be appropriate? Hence one can imagine that the silence may also have a different meaning other than “not caring”, “not bothering” “not caring for the fans” (i'm talking about Cohen's management, not AEG...).

Yes i can compare my financial losses with your financial losses - in the sense that they are financial losses -even though in different places and circumstances -
but also caused by unskilfulness and other similar causes...
...i am not judging your losses, you may not judge my losses, nor do you know the details of my life, as i don't know yours.
I know it is not just about money (also "my money losses" were not just about money).

Harriet175 wrote: Personally i found your comments against some people deeply hurtful
although i understand that you were obviously hurt when making these comments.

it is still my personal impression that the debate went into a "wrong" direction,
i am quoting only some of your statements:

Leonard could have personally issued a heartfelt apology but he didnt bother as well.
Yeah I am pissed and depressed. But it was not the promoters' name that persuaded me to book.
Leonard has been with me through all the ups and downs of life and this feels like a huge betrayal somehow..why is he not saying anything to us?

I know this is a fan forum, and as such criticism is sometimes not particularly well received, but I don't see why saying how disappointing it is for LC not to have made a personal statement on the matter is the "wrong direction"

It is his name up there in lights, so I think he (or at the very least one of his representatives) should be directly acknowledging this sad state of affairs, even if he isn't directly responsible for them.

I know Leonard is an old man now and needs rest etc, but this lack of communication really does make him seem out of touch with the fans who have parted with large sums of money to be able to see him. A few words from him, or even from AEG, would have gone a long way.

One can only imagine how imagine how things panned out...

Mekong Sessions: Er, some bad news, we're not going to be able to put on the show after all
LC/AEG: You idiots, we're very annoyed at this, by the way can you pass on our regrets when you inform everyone who has bought a ticket?

@Harriet175

I think people need to have a safe place to vent their frustration. For the circumstances that transpired, this is the best place for those injured by the cancellation. I pay respect to their feelings by reading them, so they know they are not screamng in a forest with one hand clapping.
I respect their right to vent. They are hurting. "I feel your pain" may be an overused phrase these days, but I really do feel their pain.

I don't think every post of frustration requires a discussion and maybe not even a reply of any kind, unless it is from officialdom.

---Arlene

bridger15 wrote:@Harriet175

I think people need to have a safe place to vent their frustration.
I respect their right to vent. They are hurting.
I don't think every post of frustration requires a discussion and maybe not even a reply of any kind, unless it is from officialdom.

---Arlene

and because it’s a safe place, i felt the need to express my feelings, too. Yes they can vent their wrath on whomever they want in this issue of the concert cancellation, because they have been hurt, but still the venting of anger touches others, and may also hurt others – even when just in written statements in a forum thread.

yes they can take out their anger on Leonard Cohen and the performers in this issue of the concert cancellation or because they did not publish a statement at this point, but reading some of this “felt wrong - to me”, inadequate, and i felt the need to comment. I felt there was a lot of accusing speculation and reading things into people, which may be not right, and some forms of anger just felt “wrong” or “hurtful”, for me. That’s all.

Besides, i am als convinced that even the Beatles Fans of 1966 felt truly hurt while they were burning the LPs after Lennon’s words had been published by the media. I am sure they had a lot of unfulfilled expectations.

I would welcome it, if those practically concerned got together to rather confront the organisers. And take action, as good as possible.
Scheduling a concert for a long time, then cancelling it in the last minute, is indeed appalling.

Nicole

Nicole

Two of the comments you quoted were mine.

How can you have faith in someone who royally screwed so many of your fans?
Yeah I am pissed and depressed. But it was not the promoters' name that persuaded me to book.

I stand by them.

Cohen's management did not have to volunteer their "faith" in this guy. If the faith was justified we'd be going to a concert on November 27th. I would have been accepting if the concert had been Leonard Cohen and a guitar on stage. Or even performing to MMO. If only 100 people bought tickets, give them an unforgettable concert in a 100 seat venue. If you can't sell enough tickets after promising to fans, take a bath on it. I have interviewed a number of musicians who have gone ahead with concerts at a loss. Musicians I esteem a lot less than Leonard Cohen. And for concerts where it was not a reasonable expectation people would have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fly in.

I work in the media. Artists' reps chuck around CDs - which cost cents at wholesale levels - like confetti. Any of us real fans would have the CD and DVD combined already anyway. I can't even be bothered to send an email and ask for it.

I'd rather they had not come up with the insulting "Leonard wants to give you a CD". That is pathetic. If this really was his idea, then criticism can be leveled at him.

Incidentally, not even a form reply from Cohen's manager. Nothing.

GaryP27, I agree with you wholeheartedly..

the free CD is lame and to date we are still awaiting a reply or formal explanation from his management. I doubt that 'Harriet' has actually purchased the tickets, made airline and hotel bookings, etc which is why she can stand on her high horse and claim that our statements are 'hurtful' to her. How they are hurtful to her, I dont quite know. But only those in our situation will understand our frustration. I had the honor of watching Cohen in L.A two years back and because it was so phenomenal I was really looking forward to this. We have every right to be angry. alot of time and effort has been put into the arrangements to attend this Phnom Penh concert. Not to mention the mounting excitement as the date got closer. This has absolutlely nothing to do with the Beatles fiasco in the 60's, or the financial losses that she keeps going on about. Harriet, if you want to make a point why dont u use more accurate comparisons, or rather just say nothing at all???

I feel so bad for all of you who have lost out by having this concert cancelled. I have read all the posts and there has been a lot of finger pointing. But, as Nicole said, no one knows with absolute certainty exactly what happened. I agree that the right thing to do is to offer an explanation beyond 'insurmountable logistical difficulties'. Yet, we have no way of knowing if an official explanation is being put together right now. Since we do know that the UHTC members read this forum, venting here is a logical way to make your feelings known. Meanwhile, maybe they should try this next time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOrG1r3S6ZA
Kindest regards to all of you,
Mary

Really.

Can anyone imagine a scenario where after 30 years of Leonard Cohen not appearing anywhere in Europe or America there was an announcement of a one-off, once-in-a-lifetime, chance to see him?

Only the ONE US concert was in Guam and the ONE European one was in Corsica? Tickets are among the most expensive sold anywhere by anybody, but heck, it's LC.

Now further imagine the most devoted fans were willing to splash out to fly to these places and had bought their tickets.

Remember it is the ONLY concert in 30 years, and probably your lifetime. No lists of concerts you've seen to attach to the end of your posts.

Now imagine you'd made all the arrangements for these once-only shows, and they were pulled. And you were offered a CD.

I really doubt we'd be seeing such equanimity.

And I really doubt for once-in-thirty-year shows in Europe or the US there would be ANY possibility of it being cancelled like this.

And if you are going to point to Hawaii you are still missing the point.

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.

Certainly agree with the poster who says that individual comments do not need a reply. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and comments on the matter. However, there are a few things that seems to be getting confused here. Of course there is huge diasspointment but that must be separated from the other issues.

Firstly, the announcement on the Mekong Sessions website is clearly from "Leonard Cohen, Robert Kory Management, AEG Live and the Mekong Sessions". So we have had an official announcement already. Likewise the CD offer must come from Leonard's management via AEG (not See Tickets) because you have to write to AEG to get it. Seems like a perfectly civil offer to me; we got our ticket refunded very quickly and if you think they should refund your flights etc you are leaving on another planet.

Next, there are a lot of people who seem to be very sure about what went wrong and who is to blame. However, we don't know what actually went wrong and who is to blame. The press statement said "Cohen, Robert Kory Management and AEG Live retain their full confidence in the local promoter, the Mekong Sessions" so they are explicitly NOT blaming the local promoter. Sometimes knowing who is to blame for something doesn't actually help anyway.

Lastly, I honestly have no idea why people pay for flights and hotels so early. Anyone traveling from SE Asia would have been able to book flights at the last minute without difficulty. To some extent people who did this only have themselves to blame. And by the way, this is far from a 'last minute' cancellation; The Rolling Stones canceled a performance in Bangkok in 2003 on the day of the concert - that's what I call last minute!

I am not trying to say people shouldn't be dissapointed but there is an awful lot of venom in these pages when we don't actually know what really happened.

Incidentally, it's an awful shame to travel to Cambodia and only be interested in a concert; why not go anyway, you never know you might enjoy it!

You must be kidding, finally the Mekong Sessions post here a week after the cancellation was announced and after the tickets have already been refunded...

The reason to pay for flights and tickets "so early" is to get packages and avoid wasting even more money on a non existent concert. Many of us are not independently wealthy and this is not a negligible sum. Also, even from Hong Kong there is no guarantee of a ticket on a flight to Phnom Penh late on Friday night or early on Saturday morning unless you book ahead. I don't know what planet you live on that you think these seats are guaranteed. In fact, even when I booked, if you wanted a package and could not stay longer ONLY Business Class seats were available.

If I were not going to Cambodia for a concert I would not choose to go to Phnom Penh for just two days in the middle of a hectic work period, arriving Saturday morning and leaving Monday am. I would more likely go to Siem Reap and have enough days to explore Angkor Wat.

The PR bs we have been fed is shameful and self-serving. If no one dropped the ball EVERYONE dropped the ball. And that includes Cohen and his management.

And I love how you have somehow made this the fans' fault for loving Cohen and wanting to see his show.

Stupid fans - believing that when Cohen's management team and their partners say they are putting on a concert, they are actually putting on a concert, and that you can trust them and buy tickets and stuff.

The fans did not drop the ball. Cohen's team did. All the fans have done is trust them.

It's somehow unseemly and smug to tell those fans they should trust every word dripping from the organisers' mouths, not put the blame on individual people or organisations, and then turn all that blame back on to those same fans.