jrnyman28 wrote:I was thinking about this on the way into work this morning.
Do you remember when "encores" were more or less sponteaneous? Journey has been playing almost the same encore for years now. Sometimes it is "Faithfully" but most of the time it is "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'". When did encores become "scripted"? When did bands start to save one of their hits (that get one of the biggest responses) for an encore. When I go to concerts nowadays, I can usually guess what the encore will be because I can pick out the biggest hit that is missing from the set! Encores used to be a unique experience filled with some magical performances due to their "jam" nature! An encore used to show off 'influences" of the band, or what members of the band were listening to at the time. They gave a little more insight into the band. Now they are merely calculated ends to the shows. And many times, it takes away from the rest of the concert experience.
Last year I read a review of a Duran Duran Reunion show. Apparantly the band was not in "return to form" shape yet so the show was pretty lackluster. As the band left the stage at the end of their regular set the audience was apparntly completely willing to let them go. There was reportedly little 'fanfare'. But the band returned to the stage shortly after, made comments like 'Thank you so much' 'So you want some more?' or some such cliche crap. And then they proceeded to play one of their biggest hits. The audience didn't care and it was painfully obvious that the band had 'choreographed' their encore.
I would like encores to be real again. If the crowd cheers, the band comes back out and plays something "off the cuff". Play all your songs during the set! I am not a fan of cover songs, but in concert, as a part of an encore, they could be magical!
Bring back the real encore.
(Angie, if this were the case, would it have been acceptable at "your" show? The band played, were not happy with the actions of the crowd or did not feel the crowd 'wanted' an enore, so they left? Just hypothetical...since they did play LTS, which is almost always their encore)
Since we're on the topic....I seem to recall during my attendance to a Journey concert during the Frontier's tour (mind you I was only 5 years old, and had no idea of what that "funny smoke smell" in audience or the latter implications of "Stone in Love" would have on my life)... an extended "Jam Session" by the band, sans Steve Perry....Do any of the "old school" fans remember something like this? I don't know if it was due to Perry having a hissy fit or what...but there seemed to be some more spontaniaty with the band with the two Steve's in the band vs. today....BTW, I watched the 2001 Live in Vegas "Direct TV" tape I have (never picked up the DVD) and have to say, the performance was a bit lack luster, especially when compared with the Houston DVD and what I recall about the show I saw a couple of months ago..
I think 
