Leonard Cohen’s last concert
Leonard Cohen’s last concert was at the Vector Arena in Auckland on 21 December 2013.
We were there.
It was the final stop on a sixteen-month tour in support of his ‘Old Ideas’ album.
But at the time nobody knew it would be his last concert ever.
The audience gathering for Leonard Cohen’s last concert at Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013
Packed arena
Vector Arena holds about 10,000 people and it was packed – a stadium full of grey hair and bald heads with a sprinkling of youngsters around (youngsters in this context being people under forty).
So, three rows from the front we drank sparkling wine from plastic cups and watched the crowds pour in.
Leonard Cohen performs at his last concert in Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013 accompanied by guitarist Mitch Watkins
At the time of this concert Cohen was about 78-years-old; he looked thin but he bounced about the stage, frequently knelt down and stood up without having to hang on to anything, and skipped off stage at the end of each set. I was impressed.
Leonard Cohen on the keyboard at his last concert in Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013
Favourite songs
Cohen wrote so many outstanding songs it must have been hard choosing between them but the set list featured most of the favourites and each one was greeted with roars of approval and ended with rapturous applause.
Interesting lighting effects at Leonard Cohen’s last concert in Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013
All the band members had featured solos, introduced by Cohen in a measured, courteous, gentlemanly way. The atmosphere on stage was remarkable. Here was a group of performers who knew each other well and loved working together.
The Webb Sisters and Sharon Robinson at Leonard Cohen’s last concert in Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013
After two-and-a-half hours and three encores the show came to an end. Leonard Cohen waved his hat and walked offstage – for the last time.
Final moments on the stage at Leonard Cohen’s last concert in Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013
Additional news stories about the last concert
Footage From Leonard Cohen’s Last Concert
Cohen’s last concert (Daily Mail)
Cohentric: Save the last dance for me
A standing ovation from the audience at Leonard Cohen’s last concert in Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013
Leonard Cohen’s Last Concert Set List
Set 1:
Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Bird on the Wire
Everybody Knows
Who by Fire
Darkness
Amen
Come Healing
Waiting for the Miracle
Lover Lover Lover
Anthem
Set 2:
Tower of Song
Suzanne
Chelsea Hotel #2
The Partisan
Sharon Robinson sings at Leonard Cohen’s last concert in Auckland, New Zealand on 21 December 2013
Alexandra Leaving
(sung by Sharon Robinson)
I’m Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep
(recitation)
Hallelujah
Take This Waltz
Encore:
So Long, Marianne
Going Home
First We Take Manhattan
Encore 2:
Famous Blue Raincoat
If It Be Your Will
(sung by the Webb Sisters)
Closing Time
Encore 3:
I Tried to Leave You
“Save The Last Dance For Me.”