Leonard Cohen to return to Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Leonard Cohen

Following Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Canadian singer songwriter, novelist and poet Leonard Cohen is the latest big name to be announced to perform in Istanbul this summer. Cohen will take the stage on Sept. 19 at the Ülker Arena, as part of the world tour for his new album, “Old Ideas,” Agence France-Presse reported.

Cohen, who is best known for songs such as “Suzanne,” “So Long Marianne,” “Bird on a Wire,” “First We Take Manhattan,” “Hallelujah” and “Dance Me to the End of Love,” last visited Istanbul in 2009, when he performed two concerts at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater.

Released on Jan. 30, “Old Ideas” was Cohen’s first new record since 2004’s “Dear Heather,” returning to his trademark weighty themes of spirituality, love, sexuality, the past and death.