Editorial: Holy smoke, just bless us with Cohen

Part of the magic of the Mission Concert is the citizen guesswork leading up to the official announcement.

Annie Lennox, Mark Knopfler and Bryan Ferry are among the many names already bandied about.

Such a stellar event sparks widespread dialogue on others' musical taste, or of course, lack thereof. This is simply part of the joy of pre-Mission reverie.

Potential acts are assessed at water coolers with more robust consideration than potential mayoral candidates. In fact I'm struggling to think of a declaration in this province that's more eagerly anticipated.

This time of year tension mounts, speculation then soars to unbearable heights before the act's confirmation in spring provides regional catharsis.

It's like Greenmeadows' Papal Conclave. Much like the voting in of a Pope, I assume the promoters enter a deliberating room in forced seclusion to assess the candidates. Frankly, if Ferry and Lennox make the final cut I only hope black smoke streams from a gridlocked conclave.

Thing is, it's time organisers stopped pitching the paddock to baby-boomers.

A former colleague chastised me for voicing this years ago, saying I'd missed the point: "The Mission's all about the cheese". Perhaps, but the cheese gets a resounding non accepto from me. I'd prefer a full paddock of purpose.

Come spring, here's hoping the affirmative fumata bianca (white smoke) billows from the winery's chapel to signal the first appearance at the Mission of singer-songwriter, "part angel, part wolf", Mr Leonard Cohen.