Year: 2012

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Leonard Cohen’s two shows at Hop Farm, Kent on 8 and 9 September will no longer be taking place at that venue. However, Cohen will now be performing at a new London venue on the same dates.

Cohen will still bring his much anticipated Old Ideas World tour to the UK with the scheduled shows now taking place in the fully seated and historic Wembley Arena on 8 and 9 September.

Ticketholders for the Hop Farm concerts should contact their point of sale for refund/new ticket issue. Such Ticketholders will also be invited to an exclusive pre-sale to purchase tickets for the new Wembley Arena dates and to have first access to the best seats in the house.

Musician, Poet, Novelist and arguably one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time, Leonard Cohen has returned to the world stage! Don’t miss the magnetic and inimitable Leonard Cohen as he plays London with the most emotive, poignant and legendary concerts not to be missed.

Leonard Cohen’s Old Ideas World Tour opened in Ghent, Belgium with five sold-out shows and reviews that were even more superlative than for his previous world tour. Nieuwsblad declared “Leonard Cohen steals all hearts in Ghent…a sultry, musically great evening” while De Standaard stated that “Cohen kept the audience effortlessly captivated with new songs from his new album, and many classics… He is a category and class apart.” La Presse hailed “The concert…Impeccable. Generous. Sometimes moving… His concert is a rare depth, away from the din and the ephemeral of the modern world.” Luxemburger Wort recounted “A rare concert and perfect in every way… Exceptional sound quality at the site can detect the notes of every instrumentalist.” Finally, De Telegraaf concluded “We were moved to tears…The man is the embodiment of enchantment.”

Leonard Cohen’s ‘Old Ideas‘ has been selected to the Polaris Music Prize Long List.

The Long List consists of the top 40 titles as selected by the Polaris jury. The announcement was made today (June 14th) at The Waldorf Hotel in Vancouver, BC. See the full Long List here.

The Polaris Music Prize is a not-for-profit organization that honours, celebrates and rewards creativity and diversity in Canadian recorded music. Polaris recognizes and markets albums of the highest artistic integrity, without regard to musical genre, professional affiliation, or sales history.

Learn more at polarismusicprize.ca.

Honouring Ninth Prize Laureate, Leonard Cohen, The Glenn Gould Foundation has programmed a series of free events starting Monday, May 7, 2012 in Toronto including a display of Mr. Cohen’s own artwork, street performances, screenings and more. Click here to for full event listings and more information.

• Artworks (May 7-19) – 40 pieces of Leonard Cohen’s visual art on exhibit at Allen Lambert Galleria, Brookfield Place
• Street Tribute! The Glenn Gould Prize Salutes Leonard Cohen (May 11-12) – Musicians take to the streets to play Leonard Cohen’s music all over downtown Toronto
• Make This Waltz (May 11) – Aspiring singer/songwriters from Dixon Hall and Sketch music programs work with mentors from the Songwriters Association of Canada with a special Bluebird North concert (Private Event)
• The Three Lennys (May 12) – The Toronto Jewish Film Festival special feature of three Leonard Cohen films at Bloor Cinema

These free event celebrations culminate with The Glenn Gould Prize Gala Dinner at Arcadian Court followed by the Gala Concert in Honour of Leonard Cohen at Massey Hall on Monday, May 14, 2012.


The Tribute Concert is hosted by Colm Feore and features musical performances by Basia Bulat, Adam Cohen, Cowboy Junkies, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, James McMurtry, Gordon Pinsent with Greg Keelor and Travis Good, John Prine, Serena Ryder, and Anjani Thomas. Special guest speakers The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Alan Rickman, Michael Ondaatje, and Melissa Auf der Maur.



Mr. Cohen will be present to receive his award at this ceremony and is attending the Gala Dinner at Arcadian Court.



Purchase VIP Gala Dinner & Concert tickets online until Monday, May 7 vipgouldprize.eventbrite.com

Tickets for Canadian Dates Go On Sale Starting May 11 and
U.S. Dates Go On Sale Starting May 18

May 3, 2012 – Legendary singer/songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen will be gracing stages throughout the U.S. and Canada with a new live show, beginning October 31st in Austin, TX. The North American leg of Cohen’s “Old Ideas World Tour 2012” follows on the heels of his previously announced European concert dates. The tour, promoted by AEG Live and presented in Canada by CBCMUSIC.CA, celebrates Cohen’s highly acclaimed twelfth studio album, Old Ideas. The album debuted at #1 across the globe, making it the highest charting album of his career. Tickets for the Canadian tour dates will go on sale starting Friday, May 11th and U.S. dates will go on sale starting Friday, May 18th. For updated tour information visit www.LeonardCohen.com.

The “Old Ideas World Tour 2012” follows Cohen’s triumphant 2008-2010 world tour – his first in 15 years — which was met with overwhelming praise. The New York Times reported that “Mr. Cohen sang these words with a kind of gracious generosity…awash in wild applause,” while The San Jose Mercury News reported “The show underscored what his fans already know: Leonard Cohen is one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the history of popular music.” The Victoria Times Colonist reported that Cohen received “an automatic standing ovation at what was clearly the Church of Leonard.” The Vancouver Sun called the show “nothing short of a religious experience” and the Toronto Sun declared Leonard Cohen “Charming, funny, poignant, smart, sharp, sexy… he is still a ladykiller.”

In his sixth decade of producing critically acclaimed music, Leonard Cohen is arguably one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time. Old Ideas, released on January 31, 2012 by Columbia Records, has earned worldwide accolades for its highly acclaimed collection of new songs. USA Today raves that “Old Ideas is the work of a master craftsman,” while Rolling Stone gave the album 4 ½ stars. TIME Magazine states, “Listeners have been relying on Cohen’s heartbroken yet grinning, world-weary yet hopeful voice to get through that night for decades, and this album should continue that for a whole new batch of souls.” Newsday hails Old Ideas as “GRADE A… Stunningly simple, incredibly deep and destined to be a classic.” The Telegraph (UK) reports that “Old Ideas is an unexpected and precious gift of new gems from an old master,” and The Irish Times exclaimed that “The more you play it the better it gets.” The Times (South Africa) commended it as “an album of poetic and pared-down musical genius,” and the Montreal Gazette simply states that “Lyrically, Cohen is at the top of his game.”

“OLD IDEAS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR” ITINERARY:
October 31   Austin, TX         Bass Concert Hall
November 3   Denver, CO         1st Bank Center
November 5   Los Angeles, CA    Nokia Theatre
November 7   San Jose, CA       HP Pavilion
November 9   Seattle, WA        Key Arena
November 11  Portland, OR       Rose Garden
November 12  Vancouver, BC      Rogers Arena
November 16  Calgary, AB        Scotiabank Saddledome
November 18  Edmonton, AB       Rexall Place
November 20  Saskatoon, SK      Credit Union Centre
November 23  Chicago, IL        Akoo Theatre
November 26  Detroit, MI        Fox Theatre
November 28  Montreal, QC       Bell Centre
December 2   Quebec City, QC    Colisee Pepsi
December 4   Toronto, ON        Air Canada Centre
December 7   Ottawa, ON         Scotiabank Place
December 11  London, ON         John Labatt Centre
December 13  Kingston, ON       K-Rock Centre
December 15  Boston, MA         The Wang Theatre
December 18  New York, NY       Madison Square Garden
December 20  Brooklyn, NY       Barclays Center

(For the most up-to-date tour schedule, please see the Tour Section of this site)

On Monday May 14th, 2012 in one of Toronto’s most historic venues, Leonard Cohen will become the Ninth Laureate of The Glenn Gould Prize. A stellar line-up of musical stars including The Cowboy Junkies, John Prine and Adam Cohen will take to the stage to salute Mr. Cohen’s lifetime achievements in music and poetry. He will be present to receive his award at this ceremony.

Prior to the Gala Concert, there will be an exclusive Gala Dinner to honour Mr. Cohen and benefit the Foundation.

Tickets for the concert will be on sale starting April 12 at 11:00 a.m. and are available by calling 416- 872-4255 or online at masseyhall.com or roythomson.com. Proceeds from the gala concert support the ongoing work of The Glenn Gould Foundation.

Read the full press release HERE.

Following the release of Leonard Cohen’s highly acclaimed twelfth studio album ‘Old Ideas,’ the legendary singer/songwriter/poet will once again return to the stage with a World Tour beginning August 12, 2012 in (Belgium, St Peters Square in Ghent. Tickets will go on sale on 30 March 2012

In his sixth decade of producing critically acclaimed music, Leonard Cohen remains at the top of his game and is arguably one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time. Reaching unprecedented heights, ‘Old Ideas’ debuted at #1 across the globe and is the highest charting album of Cohen’s career. Worldwide praise has been mounting for this highly anticipated collection of new material with The Telegraph declaring it as a “work of genius.”

Citing W.B Yeats, Irving Layton and Walt Whitman as literary influences Cohen first shot to the forefront of the music industry in the 60’s and has remained an inspirational talent and contributor to the industry since he first emerged. His lyrics of lust, love, religion, death and seclusion have enlightened fans and musicians worldwide. Boasting an estimated 1,330 covers of his original songs, Leonard Cohen’s work has enamoured the likes of U2, REM, Nick Cave and the late Johnny Cash, among many others.

His albums Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), The Future (1993) and Ten New Songs (2001) are rightly considered classics along with the beautiful singles “Hallelujah” and “Suzanne”. His literary genius and unique musical talent are as legendary as the man himself.

Leonard Cohen earned rave reviews throughout his triumphant 2008-2010 World Tour, with The Observer praising the show as “An evening of pure gold,” while The Daily Telegraph plainly stated “immaculate, beautiful, exquisite.” The Independent reported that “to hear him sing is still an experience to truly make young women and romantics shiver and sweat” and Toronto Sun declared Leonard Cohen “Charming, funny, poignant, smart, sharp, sexy… he is still a ladykiller.” Daily Express hailed that “Leonard Cohen is special and this concert – all two-and-a-half-hours of it – was unforgettable” and Irish Independent recounted that “What I witnessed was soul inspiring on every level, I have never been so moved by a performance, everything about the night was magical.” The Times suggested “On this kind of grand autumnal form, he should tour every year.”

To the delight of his legions of fans, the magnetic and inimitable Leonard Cohen returns to the scene with the most emotive, poignant and legendary concerts yet. The European summer tour dates will commence with the below, Leonard will return to North America this Fall, details to be announced soon.

See the full tour schedule here.

Starting today, you can pick up a copy of ‘Old Ideas’ at your local Starbucks.

Old Ideas Receives Unprecedented Worldwide Acclaim and Debuts in a Top Five Position on Charts in 26 Countries

Cohen’s New Studio Album Is the Highest Charting Album of His Career

(Toronto, ON, February 8, 2012)  Leonard Cohen’s Old Ideas debuts #1 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Top Album Chart (his first in the SoundScan era) and has been certified Platinum in Canada.  The album has reached unprecedented worldwide creative and commercial heights with the #1 position on the official Album Sales Chart in 7 additional countries. In total Old Ideas has smashed records with its debut at the top of the charts (official, iTunes or Amazon) in 17 countries (Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Finland {trending to #1}, Greece, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA).  The highly acclaimed 10-song collection of new material from poet/singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was also Top 5 in an additional 9 countries. This makes Old Ideas the highest debuting album of Leonard Cohen’s career!


“Leonard Cohen is a true Canadian icon and we are thrilled that he has reached new heights with his career, with the worldwide Number 1 debut of Old Ideas,” commented Shane Carter, President, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. “Old Ideas transcends the hearts of music lovers and poets around the globe.”


Both The Washington Post (U.S.) and The Telegraph (UK) declare Old Ideas “a work of genius,” and worldwide praise continues to mount.  In his fifth decade of producing critically-acclaimed music, Cohen remains at the top of his game, a rare event for an older artist.  In TIME Magazine, Adam Kivel observes about Cohen, “…here he is…delivering material that matches the depth and power of that first solo record, covering the same tropes of mortality, sexuality, and religion, while remaining as vibrant and striking a poet as ever… Listeners have been relying on Cohen’s heartbroken yet grinning, world-weary yet hopeful voice to get through that night for decades, and this album should continue that for a whole new batch of souls.

Old Ideas has earned four and five star reviews from the media around the world including Rolling Stone (U.S.), Irish Times (Ireland), London Evening Standard (UK), VG Nett (Norway), Uncut (UK), The Globe and Mail (Canada), New Zealand Herald (New Zealand), RTÉ (Ireland), The Western Australian (Australia), American Songwriter (U.S.), Mirror (UK), The Gazette (Canada), The Guardian (UK), Winnipeg Free Press (Canada), DeMorgen (Belgium), The Observer (UK),  Aftenposten (Norway), Rolling Stone (Germany), The Sun (UK), Gaffa (Denmark), Daily Express (UK), Bloomberg (U.S.), Calgary Herald (Canada), The Times (UK), The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), Rolling Stone (France), The Telegraph (UK) and The Mail on Sunday (UK).

Old Ideas comes on the heels of Leonard Cohen’s triumphant world tour.   Ann Powers of NPR  (U.S.) suggests that the album “…throbs with that life, its verses rife with zingers and painful confessions, and its music sounds more richly varied than anything Cohen has done in years.  Its depth comes in the tenderness and refined passion Cohen brings to his thorough descriptions of being human…”

Cohen’s work has received literary recognition throughout the world.  In the past year, Cohen has received the Premio Príncipe de Asturias, the highest literary award granted by Spain, the PEN New England award for “Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence” and in Canada, the Ninth Glenn Gould Prize. Old Ideas continues Leonard Cohen’s devotion to literary excellence.   About the album, Jesse Kornbluth of The Huffington Post writes, “The lyrics are something else: considered, bone-deep, precise.  And smart in a way that looks like his best work – a reach for what is eternally true…  He insists he has no answers…but we know he does something even more important: He asks the right questions.”  Bernard Perusse of The Gazette in Montreal says simply, “Lyrically, Cohen is at the top of his game.”


Old Ideas brought about a reunion of several players from Cohen’s past: Jennifer Warnes with vocals/arrangement on “Show Me The Place”; Sharon Robinson with vocals/arrangement on “Amen,” ”Darkness” (with The Webb Sisters),”Banjo” and “Lullaby”; and the Unified Heart Touring Band on “Darkness.”  The band performed with Cohen on his sold-out world tour. Inspired partners, Patrick Leonard, Anjani Thomas, Ed Sanders and Dino Soldo, assisted with the arranging, engineering and recording on the majority of the album. These collaborations have proven most successful.  “Lush female harmonies still carry refrains and colour his monochrome tones, but they float on the organic pulse of a live band, that plays with gentle restraint, and weaves flowing violin, trumpet and harmonica melodies in among the glistening pearls of Cohen’s epigrammatic phrases,” writes Neil McCormick of The Telegraph (UK).  Finally, Geir Rakvaag of Dagsavisen (Norway) concludes, “The songs are rich and musically sophisticated… Those who yearn for a new “Hallelujah” may also come to find new evocative favorites among the ten tracks.”

Old Ideas is Cohen’s twelfth studio album with Columbia Records since 1967.