OldGit Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) A programme on BBC Radio 4 about doing encores .. [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mw5nc"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mw5nc[/url] "the encore is like the condom in the pocket, everyone knows it's there but no one wants to talk about it" I hope you plan your band's encores and organise at least a few of the crowd to yell for them Edited October 1, 2009 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Our encore is a song called 'f*** Off' and the audience always shouts for it as soon as we take to the stage, before we've even played a note to him. We got some audience participation the other day too - we shout 'prick', they return with 'w***er'. It's a Pompey thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I'm not a big fan of encores, either as a performer or as a punter. It's something that we (the band) have discussed, agonised and argued about for many years. We've tried not doing encores with no explanation (think we only tried that once ); Not doing encores and explaining that this really is the end of the show (tried that several times). The problem is, everyone expects it. If you don't play the (encore) game it can create bad vibes and turn, what was, a fun and enjoyable event, into something unpleasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 [quote name='OldGit' post='613705' date='Oct 1 2009, 11:49 AM']A programme on BBC Radio 4 about doing encores .. [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mw5nc"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mw5nc[/url][/quote] Yes, I listened to that too... the Jesus & Mary Chain playing 30 minute sets and then refusing to do encores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Great gigs I've seen with at least half an hour encores include Delbert McClinton, Keb Mo, Eric Clapton and Steve Miller. So even the top guys do them! Encores are good. If the audience wants an encore it means you were successful, they like you and they want more. The audience will usually feel happier if they get an encore; they "got a little bit more". An encore is one way that the promoter can judge whether you'll be worth booking again. I always try to get bands to plan the encore and I think you should play 2 numbers. If you have a curfew time I would end the set 10 mins early to give yourself time to fit the encore in. You have to judge whether you're on course for an encore, though! One of my bands is run by a "clock watcher" and he won't play a second over the allotted time. It's a very good band but, in my opinion, we always finish the night on a sour note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monz Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 It's just part of the evening's games isn't it, we usually play about 24 songs through 2 sets plus 2 or 3 encores . We make them work for em, you know "we can't hear you" "are you sure you want another" "We have got to get the half eleven bus you know" Generally consists of upbeat sing along type numbers... Crazy little thing, Brown eyed girl, All or nothing... you know the type To me there is no problem with them as you account for them in the timings of your sets good time to get them to remember how good you were and that they had a real good night and the band played 3 encores for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alant Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 We've recently started finishing our set with a slow number at the end of the night as a "final encore". We found that the audience generally kept wanting more "encores" if we kept on the lively rock type numbers. Adding a slow number at the very end seemed to have a calming influence and everyone really believed them that we were finishing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 The problem I have found a few times is you have given you're all for the set(s) and done a good gig and then when you decide yes we'll do a couple more, it can go a bit pear shaped and you end up leaving the punters with a bad impression of a knackered band limping through a couple of songs that they didn't really want to do. Needs a careful balance. Pity to leave your best for an encore that you may not get to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 As an Encore we usually do Rebel Yell and then i predict a riot. the latter i have never bothered to learn as by then the punters don't care what it sounds like and i don't like the song anyway. not very professional know but then i'm not a pro and we play pubs. i'lll stop digging now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 [quote name='chris_b' post='613789' date='Oct 1 2009, 01:18 PM']Great gigs I've seen with at least half an hour encores include Delbert McClinton, Keb Mo, Eric Clapton and Steve Miller. So even the top guys do them! Encores are good. If the audience wants an encore it means you were successful, they like you and they want more. The audience will usually feel happier if they get an encore; they "got a little bit more". An encore is one way that the promoter can judge whether you'll be worth booking again. I always try to get bands to plan the encore and I think you should play 2 numbers. If you have a curfew time I would end the set 10 mins early to give yourself time to fit the encore in. You have to judge whether you're on course for an encore, though! One of my bands is run by a "clock watcher" and he won't play a second over the allotted time. It's a very good band but, in my opinion, we always finish the night on a sour note.[/quote] I believe an encore is part of the show. It's a game and we all play it, punters and band. Your clock watcher is fine and dandy so follow your own advice (and do what the professionals do) and plan the "end" with enough time to play at least one encore. People like Happy Van Morrison and Chuck "45 minutes, money and out" Berry are famous for being grumpy and not playing encores. A false stop before Brown eyed girl and Van would have a much better reputation. Not playing an encore is punishing your punters - and they are the ones who bothered to come and see you [i]and [/i]stay to the end .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 [quote name='alant' post='613793' date='Oct 1 2009, 01:21 PM']We've recently started finishing our set with a slow number at the end of the night as a "final encore". We found that the audience generally kept wanting more "encores" if we kept on the lively rock type numbers. Adding a slow number at the very end seemed to have a calming influence and everyone really believed them that we were finishing![/quote] Research can't quite find right now has shown that that is also good for minimising the hassle the staff get as people leave, results in less fights etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I believe that an encore should be earned by both the band and the audience. Play well and if the audience wants you enough then by all means come back an play another song (maybe 2 if your normal set is over 90 minutes). What I can't stand is bands who deliberately leave out their best known song(s) so the audience will be forced to call them back to do them no matter how poor the rest of the set was. Equally there's no reward in coming back on because a couple of your mates shouted more a few times. Yes as a band you should plan for an encore, but only play it if the audience really wants it. For a relatively unknown originals band that threshold should be after at least 1 minute of non-stop applause and just before the audience start tearing down the venue in frustration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 If it were me I'd stop Elbow playing full stop, never mind just the encore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) I've had a phobia of encores ever since a gig in ... well, a long time ago ... when we heard cheering and went back on only to realise the audience were cheering the stripper who had started her act. We had to leave again quickly. Edited October 1, 2009 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 My Old School. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 "Pretty Vacant".... no messin' about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Encores are too deeply embedded in the scene to not play them, punters expect them and walk away disappointed if they don't get them. A lot of the time, bands will save their biggest hits for the encore and come back to play them, this expectation tends to rile up the crowd as they know it's coming - always good. Currently, the tour i'm working on (not playing on BTW) is for a rather famous singer / songwriter / pianist called Reg who wears a wig, one of the main reasons for the encore is so he can nip off stage and have a wee so he's ready to jump into the limo at the end of the gig and race away from the gig without having to worry about stopping before he reaches the airport! As for pub gigs, the encore is good timing so you can nip to the bar and grab another pint quickly before time at the bar! I'm voting for encores! Keep 'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 [quote name='bluesparky' post='614263' date='Oct 1 2009, 09:49 PM']Encores are too deeply embedded in the scene to not play them, punters expect them and walk away disappointed if they don't get them. A lot of the time, bands will save their biggest hits for the encore and come back to play them, this expectation tends to rile up the crowd as they know it's coming - always good. Currently, the tour i'm working on (not playing on BTW) is for a rather famous singer / songwriter / pianist called Reg who wears a wig, one of the main reasons for the encore is so he can nip off stage and have a wee so he's ready to jump into the limo at the end of the gig and race away from the gig without having to worry about stopping before he reaches the airport! As for pub gigs, the encore is good timing so you can nip to the bar and grab another pint quickly before time at the bar! I'm voting for encores! Keep 'em![/quote] That's not "borrowed hair" is it? I thought he had his follicles sorted .... Do you have to minimise teh light on that part to avoid and nasty melting accidents? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Johnathan Hicks memory of his encores sums it up for me...shuffling, nowhere to go, umm, umm...the DJ starts playing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggy Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='614206' date='Oct 1 2009, 08:41 PM']"Pretty Vacant".... no messin' about [/quote] Same as that and the Sham's Kids are United. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 [quote name='Jase' post='614433' date='Oct 2 2009, 12:54 AM']Johnathan Hicks memory of his encores sums it up for me...shuffling, nowhere to go, umm, umm...the DJ starts playing [/quote] Poor DJ started talking over our last number a few gigs ago - Hotel manager on his sholder telling him to do it to stop us playing, even though our emplyers (bride and groom) had instructed us to end a little later. We were into the last bit where we take the vol down and thank the bride and groom etc just before our big ending. To$$er started going "let's hear it for the band" as if we werea record fading out.. Not his fault but we will be talking to the B&G about it when they return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='614206' date='Oct 1 2009, 07:41 PM']"Pretty Vacant".... no messin' about [/quote] +1 Same for us too, that's the one that kicks the audience in the nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanrock Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 [quote name='johnnylager' post='613751' date='Oct 1 2009, 12:36 PM']Our encore is a song called 'f*** Off' and the audience always shouts for it as soon as we take to the stage, before we've even played a note to him.[/quote] Brilliant - just brilliant !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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