The queue was crazy massive and Leonard Cohen started before we were even inside! At first I thought that was quite rude but then I figured her was just thinking of the poor people who'd got in first and had been sitting for ages waiting on everyone else. And we only missed the first little bit of Dance Me To The End of Love so it wasn't too bad.

The setting was pretty amazing. You could really tell that you were up high even though the big stands blocked the view. The castle in the background was definately dramatic. And even though there were thousands of people there there didn't seem to be any major problems and the atmosphere was pretty laidback and cosy. (Perhaps something to do with the fact that the seats were VERY close together. I had quite a large man on my left who insisted on singing along loudly to every song - including the instrumental parts!) The only problem was probably the long queues for the toilets and I even had a laugh there, dancing about and singing with some strangers.

We were quite far away from the stage but I was quite glad we'd got the seats in the stand facing the stage cause I kinda think everyone at the sides must have had really sore necks by the end of it.

So yeah..this is what it looked like :)






(Ten points if you can spot the guy with the awesome pink mohawk)








Zoooooooming in. You can just see Lenny beside the guy with the white bass)

One thing I noticed which I foudn quite funny was the fact that Mr Cohen felt the need to introduce the members of the band about a hundred times each. Nothing wrong with that of course, it was nice for them to get recognition. But it was funny.

I have to say, for being 74 (I think) Mr Cohen's voice has not aged at all. He still sounds exactly the same, his voice is just as strong and he can still hit those low notes. And I've never heard him speak before. I actually love his speaking voice. I'd quite like him to follow me around and narrate my life for me.


The Set List

Dance Me To The End of Love

The Future (This was excellent!)

Ain't No Cure for Love
(There was a couple in front of me singing this to each other which was pretty sweet)

Bird On The Wire

Everybody Knows

In My Secret Life

(^^^ This is my favourite song! I wasn't sure if they were going to play it or not but I recognised those opening notes straight away!)

Who By Fire?

Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye

Anthem

(interval)

Tower of Song

Suzanne

Boogie Street

Hallelujah

(^^^ This wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be but it was still beautiful)

Democracy

(^^^For people who think that Leonard Cohen is boring or that all his songs are ballads or whatever, - hear this song live. It made me want to jump around)

I'm Your Man

(^^^ f I blocked out the fact that it was being sung by a 74 yr old man, this song was kinda sexy ;) )

A Thousand Kisses Deep (recitation)

Take This Waltz

(encores)
So Long, Marianne

(^^^There was swayage. I love this one!)

First We Take Manhattan

(^^^ Same comment as Democracy. This made me want to punch my fist in the air. And I've never done that in my life!)

Sisters of Mercy

If It Be Your Will (sung by the Webb sisters)

(^^ These girls had beautiful voices. (As did Sharon Robinson, the other backing vocalist and Leonard Cohen's collaborator))

Closing time

(^^^ Well I'd been waiting all night for this one! It didn't matter that it had started raining and some people were leaving to avoud the rush. I was staying and listening to every second!. I think he felt sorry for us though cause he was singing it strangely fast, it was the Closing Time Rap! The poor band and the backing singers had to try and keep up with him but it was still awesome!

 

When it got a bit darker you could appreciate the lighting more. It was really good. And the torches which were lit up at the castle were a nice touch.

 

When the show was over Mr Cohen said 'Thank you friends', and said he appreciated us sitting in the rain and told us to drive safe and not catch cold. He seems like a really nice man. I kinda wish he was my uncle or something :) 

Definately worth the money and the getting there and the queuing and the uncomfortable seats and the rain and the cold walk home and putting up with the fat man next to me :) I'd do it again!

xxx