Stars turn out in force for Leonard Cohen memorial concert

Stars from music, film and politics gathered in style on the eve of the first anniversary of Leonard Cohen's death, to pay tribute to the legendary singer/songwriter, poet and artist.

The picturesque city of Montreal, Cohen’s hometown and the spot of his final resting place, played a welcome host to the night's festivities which drew a crowd of 17,000 to the Bell Centre, including powerhouse names from the music industry such as Sting, Lana Del Ray and Elvis Costello.

According to reports from local press outlets, former Police frontman Sting kicked off the night's proceedings with a befitting rendition of ‘Dance Me to the End of Love’, accompanied by a 25 piece orchestra and back up singers. Other artists on the nights impressive roster included Courtney Love, performing ‘Everybody Knows’ off Cohen’s much lauded album ‘I’m your Man’ and indie folk singer Feist performed her rendition of ‘Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye’, which coincides with a studio version she released last week.

Irish performer Damien Rice was said to have delivered the most emotive performance of the night, according to multiple sources, when he sang ‘Famous Blue Raincoat’.

In addition to a special video montage featuring fellow Québécois singer Celine Dion, among others, and an unlikely musical collaboration with Lana Del Ray and Cohen’s 45 - year - old son Adam, the crowd reached fever pitch for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie who addressed the crowd in English and French. They wooed the audience with tales of how they walked up the aisle to ‘Hallelujah’ and took their first dance to ‘I’m Your Man’.

The event, which was put together by Cohen’s son Adam, at the behest of his late father is just the tipping point of Cohen centred events taking place in Montreal to commemorate the polymaths illustrious life.

A new multidisciplinary exhibition entitled ‘ Leonard Cohen : A Crack in Everything ‘ is due to open 9 November and run until 9 April 2018 at Montreal’s Musee d’art Contemporain de Montréal so fans will be immersed in all things Cohen for the foreseeable.