Cohen Adds Voice To Stimmen

Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame looks to have created a bit of an Internet vibe for Leonard Cohen, with Stimmen Festival confirming it had a show with the Canadian singer/songwriter before it was ready.

"We just brought forward announcing Leonard Cohen because the concert was already published on a fansite," explained festival press officer Birgit Degenhardt, who had intended to unveil the whole bill at a March 17 media gathering in Lörrach.

Other acts expected to be on the bill include The Neville Brothers, Mando Diao, and Puppini Sisters.

Stimmen, which means "voices," started in Germany in ’92 and has since grown to the point where it can attract major acts to the 5,500-capacity Markplatz in Lorrach, where Cohen will play July 25.

The month-long event (July 2-27) has expanded to take in nearby venues in France and Switzerland. Lorrach is so near to the borders of all three countries that it’s possible to be in Switzerland in 15 minutes and in France in 20 minutes.