Mitchell Peters, L.A.
Leonard Cohen will play his first U.S. concert in 15 years at the
Beacon Theatre in New York on Feb. 19, and speculation is that it
will serve as the anchor for a North American tour. Tickets for the
show go on sale Friday (Jan. 16) via Ticketmaster.
Last summer, the artist embarked on his first tour in 15 years,
hitting a range of European venues, including England's massive
Glastonbury Festival. The 25-plus-date tour was booked by AEG
Live.
During the trek, Cohen backed by Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals,
music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass
instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals),
Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, oud & string instruments), Rafael
Gayol (drums & percussion) and Dino Soldo (keyboard, saxophone,
wind instruments & vocals).
Cohen has been in the spotlight lately thanks to "X Factor" winner
Alexandra Burke's cover of his song "Hallelujah." The U.K. newcomer
scored the country's Christmas No. 1 and the biggest-selling single
of 2008 with her version, which sold 888,000 copies in two weeks,
according to the Official Charts Co.
Meanwhile, Jeff Buckley's version rocketed to No. 2 the week ending
Dec. 21 when Burke debuted at No. 1, while Cohen's original was at
No. 36.