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Encore! Encore!

Is anyone else of the opinion that the scripted encore at a live concert should be prohibited? It annoys me when a musician says, "good night, thank for coming" when everyone in the building knows that he'll come back. Why go through the farce.

Recently, I've found that it's even worse because the "end" occurs closer and closer to the middle of the set. An encore can consist of half-dozen songs or more.

Needless to say, the second encore is ridiculous.

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Permalink Reply by T Hanssen on July 19, 2011 at 7:44pm

Yes. This was ridiculous 20 years ago and it is beyond annoying now. Some bands don't do it and I hope that more catch on.

I have seen precisely ONE unscripted, legitimate encore in my lifetime.

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Permalink Reply by beth wimmer on October 28, 2011 at 3:51am

i'm with you, T Hanssen. couldn't agree more.

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Permalink Reply by TenLayers on July 19, 2011 at 9:34pm

I'm glad someone finally said it. The whole ritual seems to run hollow. On the other hand the break between the "goodbye" and the coming back does allow for a certain amount of anticipation to build.

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Permalink Reply by T Hanssen on July 19, 2011 at 9:58pm

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Permalink Reply by Rudyjeep on July 20, 2011 at 5:07am

If you've ever seen BB King, you know that once he goes off stage the first time, one of his horn players will stir up the crowd by announcing over and over (and over and over) - "let's hear it for the King of the Blues - Mr. BB King". I would estimate at LEAST a dozen times, maybe more. I understand trying to build tension and excitement - after all, it is show business - but it gets kind of old after a while.

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Permalink Reply by steviedal on July 20, 2011 at 1:51pm

What a grumpy sod , just go with the flow and have fun dude !

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Permalink Reply by WIndieCityJoe on July 20, 2011 at 2:12pm

I couldn't agree more. It amazes me that this lame show biz tradition still remains. And, as you say, in some cases it's the second half of the show - not an extra song or two demanded by the audience. I fondly remember seeing Willie Nelson in the early 90's. At some point early in the concert he informed the audience there would be no encore.Instead, they were going to play until they can't play anymore. How refreshing!

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Permalink Reply by RP N10 on July 21, 2011 at 10:32am

My experience is that the set is the set and there's a flow to it from the stat to the finish while the encore might well be a song the artist has that doesn't fit with the set, might be a new song or might be an interesting (or not) cover. Audiences for most main acts want to see them play right through to curfew. If the audience has a chance to show their appreciation for a good gig before the absolute end they can do that; then have the performer come back again; then off; lights; tube.

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Permalink Reply by TenLayers on October 24, 2011 at 1:33pm

This past weekend went to see Diego del Morao, a Flamenco guitar Master from Jerez, Spain. Truly mind blowing, spine tingling stuff...mixing effortlessly traditional Jerez style Flamenco into Jazz and back out again. The legendary Diego el Cigala came out in the second half to sing a couple/few songs. At the end of the show the crowd gives them a standing O, heartfelt and the clapping went on for a long time. Del Morao looked confused it seemed, I don't think he knew of this custom that we wanted more out him. From somewhere I heard "Otro! Otro!" and he understood.

This call for an encore was real, was deserved and he responded by giving it back to us. A night I won't forget.