User:Fasittaj1/Encore Phenomenon

Topic: Encore (concert)

Article Title: Encore Phenomenon

Summary

Encores tend to happen after shows are done, and there are different types of encores different performers can have. The word ‘encore’ originated from France, which means “again.” However, the French never actually used this word but used other words instead like “une autre.” It is highly uncommon for a musical performance of popular music to not have an encore. When artists or bands do perform their encore, it typically is a very old song from their greatest hits, never a new song that the crowd wouldn’t know. This is because it becomes nostalgic for the crowd and it also gets the crowd going. Old songs typically bring back times of when the audience was younger or great memories. The Cure in 1985 actually played a show with up to five encores to please the fans. Elvis back in the day never played encores to “keep the fans wanting more.” Encores actually derived from broadway too, when the actors come up on stage for their bow. Thus, this type of encore migrated its way into the popular music (rock’n’roll, pop, country etc.)  scene. At one point in time encores were actually banned in some opera houses, because they were known to be associated with the less serious performers. Even in the mid 19th century, northern Italy put a ban on encores. This was because the authorities thought they would lead to public disorder. Also, Encores have become more and more repetitive with they way they are presented to their audiences now. Most bands, or almost all bands or groups have their encores already planned out or written into their set. They have become expected now, as opposed to years ago when they were for “wishful thinking.” Some bands have lost their originality when it comes to encores, while others still work hard to keep their encores fresh and new.

Effect on Audience

The Cure live during an encore.

The Cure live during an encore.

Encores can be either the best or worst part of the concert. Those who are big music goer/concert enthusiasts can say from experiences that encores truly get the crowd going. In an article written by Naomi Lewin, she talks of a Canadian pianist named Marc-Andre Hamelin and asks him what his view on encores are. He states that the point of an encore should be to “delight, perhaps amuse, intrigue and maybe even astonish if that's your bag (Lewin).”Encores that have originality and flare are usually the ones that can draw the audience in and leave them begging for more. Corey Moss writes in his MTV article, “Encores, once the happy circumstance of an audience recognizing a great performance by demanding the artist return and play more .”At the same time however, the more shows you attend you can see how encores begin to lose their originality and flare. A lot of criticism has been given to Bruce Springsteen especially, for playing seven song encores. Even The Cure falls under the same scrutiny for having five song encores. It comes to a point where it all feels overdone and too much. Emma Webster says in her article “One More Tune!,” “live music audiences crave authenticity from artists and, therefore, an encore makes sense only if it is enacted and perceived as being spontaneous .” Encores even have an effect on the performers too. The cheering and applauding coming from an audience is such a rush of energy and satisfying feeling. It’s a quality feeling knowing that such a large amount of strangers want to hear more of your music. When the band steps off stage, the cheering and applauding keep on coming, and it won’t stop. It’s one of the most glorious feelings for any performer or group to hear.

Why Were Encores Banned?

During the 19th century encores were officially banned in northern Italy due to thought that they would lead to disorder amongst the people. In 1841 an opera was written by composer Giuseppe Verdi entitled “Nabucco.” This opera received marvelous feedback from the crowd and despite the laws against encores at the time, the act three chorus of the opera was demanded and ultimately sung again .

How Have Encores Evolved?

Since the 19th/18th century, people in concert halls would request songs to be replayed because audio recordings were not around nor invented yet. Also because people like the songs so much they wanted to hear them played again. Virtuoso (a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit) musicians also took encores as chances to show off to their audience. Claquers (people hired to applaud, hackle or cheer for encores) were employed in Paris. This notion continued to London and then eventually New York in the early 20th century in places like Opera Houses where encores were frowned upon. Encores were in fact associated with the less serious performances, basically making them seem silly. In Milan around 1933, a conductor became infuriated with the interruptions from the audience in the middle of the opera. This ultimately ended with the audience participation (clapping, cheering etc.) being moved strictly to the end of the performance. Encores in broadway performances were also known as the “curtain call,” where the actors would come out and bow. Sometimes encores even consisted of reenacting a whole entire scene, or section of a performance in plays, opera’s and orchestra’s. Encores eventually made it’s way into the rock music scene, where the performers would come out and playing sometimes one, two, three or even five on their songs to please the crowd; although sometimes more than two or three songs can bore the audience and “over do it” for them. Now in today’s time, encores are expected at the end of the performance and even highly anticipated.

The Encore Rituals

There are four general types of encores, normal, deconstructed, disturbed and omitted . The normal type of encore is when the artist, performer or band announces to the audience that they will be playing a final song in their set. After the song is done, the performer, artist or band will leave the stage for two or three minutes while the audience is applauding chanting for more. The deconstructed type of encore that is different from the traditional type of encore, which is the normal. An encore is considered deconstructed when it is performed in a different style than the conventional way. If the artist, performer or band walks off stage and then returns in a funny manner or returns with different clothes and makes a humorous joke, then it is considered a deconstructed encore. The third type of encore is disruption. When an encore is disrupted, it is mainly because something is causing the performance from continuing on, causing confusion to the audience. The final type of encore is omission. An omitted encore is when the encore is cut out entirely from the set, or was never planned. In some instances, a disrupted encore and an omitted encore can be one in the same .

Are Encores More Predictable Now?

File:Blink 182 Fuck Sign

Blink 182 playing live at the Brixton Academy in 2014 during their encore

Since There is a strategic process to a good, bad and mediocre encore, it is fair to question how this impacts the audiences experience. Encores now are predictable and also expected. Not many audiences today are “wooed!” by the encore presented at the end of a gig or performance. This is because encores are often repeated in various locations by the same band. For example, in the summer of 2014, pop-punk band Blink-182 played their European tour with of course, their same 2 song encore. When the band played an earlier concert back in 2013 at the Wellmont theater, they played the same two encore songs as they did this year. But they added a little creativity to keep the fans guessing. They brought back an old sign that lit on fire that spelled out the word “F***.” that was hung behind them on stage. They haven't used this sign since their tour in 2002. Bands now even have their encore songs listed for them on their setlist so you know every show is going to have the same encore. Dave Simpson recalls a time in his music blog that many people know of when you actually had to scream and chant for the band to come back on stage. New Order is a group that is always known for having fun with their encores and keeping them unpredictable to their fans and audience . Other bands like the Arctic Monkeys and The Wedding Present are known for not giving encores simply because they feel “the ritual is a pile of trash .” Nirvana, the biggest grunge band of the early nineties, was known for trashing the stage after their performances by smashing their guitars and drums. This was so they could avoid ever having to perform encores for their audiences. Bands will come back on stage for an encore now whether they are applauded back on or not.