Manchester

• 

Leonard Cohen gets MIFf‘d

The venerable Candadian novelist, poet and singer-songwriter plays four gigs in Manchester

Even though the Manchester International Festival (MIF) is currently in the middle of a year off (a full schedule resumes in 2009) they’ve managed to pull off something off an artistic coup with the arrival in June of the influential Canadian poet, novelist and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. Although Cohen is playing other concerts in the UK – including gigs at Glastonbury and the Big Chill festivals – the chance to see him for four nights at the 2,000 seat Opera House is an intriguing prospect.

MIF, who have just received the boost of £1 million in funding from the Arts Council England, describe the shows as a ‘trailblazer’ for the second instalment of the festival. With positive reviews for Cohen’s last venture into the studio with 2006’s ‘Blue Alert’ an album of Cohen-penned songs, performed by his long-time backing singer Anjani, it will be interesting to see whether the tour makes use of Cohen’s celebrated back catalogue, which includes classics such as 'Hallelujah' and 'Suzanne' or focuses on more recent songs. Plus, at 72 years of age Cohen can join the likes of Tom Jones and the Rolling Stones who are all in the Third Age and still rocking.
Leonard Cohen Opera House, Quay Street, M3 3HP (08701451163/www.manchestertheatres.com). June 17-20.

• Did you find this useful? Yes No
• 

---