Leonard Cohen @ Vorst Nationaal, Brussels (19/10/08)

When I bought my first record player a couple of months ago, I automatically received (took possession of) my dad’s LP’s.  That’s how I got introduced to Leonard Cohen’s Songs From A Room and why I started collecting all his other discs on vinyl as well. I would never have guessed that a while later I’d be getting the opportunity to see him play in front of a sold-out venue the size of a football stadium.
.
But I did, that was about a week ago, and I’m still amazed and convinced it was the most incredible concert I’ve attended so far. You would think that after Radiohead and The Arcade Fire blew me away live it would be a pretty hard thing to top, but hearing and seeing a 74 year old musical and poetic genius like Leonard Cohen sing Suzanne, The Partisan and Famous Blue Raincoat was something out of this world.

His ‘golden voice’ has gotten much deeper throughout the years and every song overwhelmed me with chills. The concert lasted about 3 hours and he kept surprising everyone by running on and off stage, dancing and jumping during songs.  I have no idea where he got the energy to play such a long concert with so much power, passion and enthusiasm. I’m just really happy he did..

Setlist:

First Set
• Dance Me To The End Of Love
• The Future
• Ain’t No Cure For Love
• Bird On The Wire
• Everybody Knows
• In My Secret Life
• Who By Fire
• Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye
• Sisters Of Mercy
• Heart With No Companion
• Anthem

Second Set
• Tower Of Song
• Avalanche
• Suzanne
• The Gypsy’s Wife
• The Partisan
• Boogie Street
• Hallelujah
• Democracy
• I’m Your Man
• Take This Waltz

First Encores
• So Long, Marianne
• First We Take Manhattan

Second Encores
• Famous Blue Raincoat
• If It Be Your Will
• Closing Time

Final Encores
• I Tried To Leave You
• Whither Thou Goest

.
Leonard Cohen – The Partisan

Leonard Cohen – Chelsea Hotel No. 2

Leonard Cohen – If It Be Your Will (Live)
.