Leonard Cohen - O2 London - 21st June 2013

It was a privilege to be at the O2 on Friday to listen to Leonard Cohen again.

He last performed there in 2008 the same year we were bowled over by his appearance one sunny evening at Glastonbury.  Then he had just started performing live again after many years of hibernation and we realised what we had been missing.  He is first and foremost a poet and his enigmatic lyrics are perfectly balanced by his slow and deep gravelly voice and haunting melodies.

He played for over 3 hours and so we were treated to all the classics interspersed with numbers from his new album of last year, ‘Old Ideas’.  It was magical to hear the appreciative anticipation ripple through the packed O2 arena when the first couple of notes were played of an old classic like Suzanne or Hallelujah.

The band which numbered ten including, Leonard played a few solos.  There was a beautiful number from the Webb Sisters which they accompanied on the harp and guitar. After a long encore Leonard finished with Save the Last Dance For Me an old Drifters number.

He will be back at the O2 in September so we can look forward to another enduring performance from this most gracious man.

Ken

First Set

1.Dance Me to the End of Love  

2.The Future  

3.Bird on the Wire  

4.Everybody Knows   

5.Who by Fire  

6.Darkness  

7.Ain't No Cure for Love   

8.Amen  

9.Come Healing  

10.Lover Lover Lover  

11.A Thousand Kisses Deep  

12.Anthem   

Second Set

13.Tower of Song  

14.Suzanne  

15.Sisters of Mercy  

16.Heart with No Companion  

17.Waiting for the Miracle  

18.Anyhow  

19.The Partisan  

20.Alexandra Leaving  

(performed by Sharon Robinson)

21.I'm Your Man  

22.Hallelujah  

23.Take This Waltz  

Encore:

24.So Long, Marianne  

25.Going Home  

26.First We Take Manhattan

Encore 2:

27.Famous Blue Raincoat

28.If It Be Your Will  (performed by the Webb Sisters)

29.Save the Last Dance for Me (The Drifters cover)