OT Encores

What is the point of encores?

You know the band is going to come back, you have a pretty good idea
of what they are going to play.

One of my birthday presents was two tickets to see Off The Wall. They
did the whole 'good night, we're going' stuff and the crowd started
stamping and cheering and calling out for more.

Son and I sat, arms folded, legs crossed (in an identical pose, which
made us laugh) waiting for 'wish you were here' and 'comfortably
numb'. Even if I hadn't known the set list (seen them a couple of
times before, none of the messing around with 3 singers for GGITS,
Stella just belts it out) it was bleeding obvious they'd be back to do
those two songs.

So, why do bands do this? Any musos or concert goers got any theories?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lady Nina

Because it's expected. It's part of the show, you curmudgeonly old git.

Suspend disbelief and go with it, it makes it all so much more fun.

 

But why? When did the convention of an encore start anyway?

Can't remember the last time I truly did that. That's another
question, last film, book, play etc that *truly* took people out of
themselves.

No it doesn't, it just prolongs things when I needed a wee!

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lady Nina

When Ugg went off and Thugg and Urgg started chanting "Ooh! Ooh! Ugg!"
while beating each other over the head with mammoth bones.

Then what's the point? Really?

Ah. That's because you're old and female. The rest of us are having a
hoot, just shuffle off quietly and have a tiddle. Preferably in the
toilet.

 

Ego?

I used to do a lot of stewarding at Wembley - "The band will finish at
9pm, they'll do two encores of 10 minutes ..."

All planned, worked out to the last detail

the god syndrome, ... need to be liked

 

like a lot of things, once upon a time, it actually meant something

now, it's just part of the religious ritual

 

I keep forgetting you're old enough to remember when Ugg was still
touring, before the incident with the wooly mammoth ruined his career.

So come on then, what was the last thing that took you far away from
what we laughingly call reality?

I'll sort of suspend it then something (usually a child) will snap me
back into reality.

I just need some quiet time.

And had drunk lots of caffeinated beverages.

I can't be the only one who finds it irritating?

There's an adult nappy joke here that I'm too ewwwed to do.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Lady Nina

That was never proven.

Honestly? A day-dream earlier today. I can suspend reality at will. It's
what keeps me going,

There's your problem, right there.

Stop stealing my lines.

 

What alternative do you suggest?

 

No, dear, that's Alzheimer's.

 

Oh come on - I've seen the cave paintings. You're telling me they were
done from imagination?

Oh the day dreaming stuff I can do. It's the using a product for the
purposes of suspending disbelief I have difficulty with.

<sigh> They are out of my hair this weekend and back at school/college
on Monday. Of course then I'll be getting through the pile of work
that has taken longer than expected because of all the sodding
interruptions of the last couple of weeks.

Actually I won't I'll be in sodding Oldham. Making more work to add to
the pile.

I never wanted to be a parent you know.

 

On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:42:26 +0100, Colin Irvine

Encores

Play what you're going to play, take the applause, sod off home.

 

I imagine that would tend to leave both performer and audience less
satisfied than if there'd been an encore.

So one answer to your original question is "because most performers
and most members of audiences like it that way".

 

You can simulate this by fucking off home yourself before the band comes back
out. HTH.

 

People don't like surprises.
If the audience are enjoying a concert, they're not thinking about it
ending. If it ends without warning, their last feeling is
disappointment, and they go home feeling vaguely cheated.
Encores allow them time to adjust to the fact that the end is coming, so
they're not taken by surprise, and can keep the happy feeling. This
increases repeat ticket sales[1].

[1] Concert psychology 101, I had a copy of a serious study on this many
years ago, with graphs and stats and everything, but can't be arsed to
find it. There's probably a degree course and 'event managers handbook,
dictionary and guide' these days.

 

Is the correct answer, IMHO, having done unplanned encores.


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Yes yes, but was the band any good?

 

At last! Someone else other than me that is sick of the whole "we have
finished - honest" stuff.

You can tell when they have finished - the house lights come on. No
house lights - no finished gig..

Fortunately most prog gigs I've been to don't do it.

Tradition. Plus it appeases their desperate little egos.

Phil

 

No..

Phil

 

In the case of one or two folk bands and solo performers it has reached
a second stage whereby a second encore *may* be played if there has been
a particularly appreciate audience. This returns to some degree to the
original motivation behind the practice.

The second encore is sometimes something very unexpectedly low key, or
more often a contrast with the performer's usual repertoire.

The first time I experienced it was with 'Strawhead'[1]. Their mainstay
is songs from the English Civil War, Monmouth's Rebellion and in later
years songs about drink and drinking, plus other "popular music of olden
times". Years ago after a really good night (the main singer obviously
very much enjoying the 'Lumphammer' ale) and a conventional encore, the
rapturous applause brought them back on stage, at which point they did
"From Boulder to Birmingham". I haven't seen them for years but
apparently they still occasionally do an en-encore, but you never quite
know what it will be. AFAIK their second encore material has never been
issued as a recording, which makes it a real bonus if they decide to
reward the audience.

Generally though the encore has become a convention, particularly in the
case of some bands, that have been doing the same one for years and
years. In fact, in some cases, I predict a riot if they didn't finish in
the expected manner.

[1] http://www.strawhead.org.uk/

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+