The dates mark Cohen's return to touring after 15 years. His tour itinerary includes an appearance at the Glastonbury Festival confirmed for Sunday 29th June, a four day stint at Manchester International Festival, playing the Opera House from Tuesday 17th until Friday 20th June, and an appearance at The Big Chill, Ledbury on Sunday 3rd August.
Other UK appearances include the IMMA Dublin on Saturday 14th June, a date on Wednesday 16th July at Edinburgh Castle, and a night at London's 02 Arena on Thursday 17th July.
The Montreux Jazz Festival and Spain's Bennicasim are some of the major European festival dates among arena shows. More worldwide tour dates will continue to be announced within the coming weeks. Rob Hallett from AEG Live said, "For many this tour will be the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the legend that is Leonard Cohen. We as a company are honored to bring this long rumored tour to reality across the globe."
At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yesterday Lou Reed described Cohen as, "Without question one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater mystery and depth as time goes on."
Cohen will be joined on tour by world renowned musicians: Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals, music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals), Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, oud & misc. string instruments), Christine Wu Violin, viola, cello & keyboard, Rafael Gayol (drums & percussion) and Dino Soldo (keyboard, saxophone, wind instruments & vocals).
For more information on The Big Chill click here and for Glastonbury Festival click here.
Registration, is still open for Glastonbury Festival and involves filling in a simple form and supplying a passport photograph, and full details can be found at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk. Forms are available on line or at any branch of Millets.
If you've registered for Glastonbury, then why not enter the eFestivals' competition to win yourself a pair of tickets here!
Glastonbury 2007 before the rain