ChiTownAbs, Inc

I've been to quite a few rock shows ... and never understood why all bands follow the following rules:

1. They never start on time. If the time on the ticket says 7pm, you would be lucky if the opening band came on stage by 7pm. The main act would come on ... somewhere between 9:30 and 10pm.

2. Encore -- sometimes two or even three. What's the point of this? Do they need to be reminded that their fans love them? They're absolutely ridicous. They'll go backstage for like 15-20 mintues while the crowd "cheers" for them to return. What the hell is the point of this?

Just pondering ...

MJKTool

Yeah I agree Encore's are retarded big time. It's so ridiculous. Most bands plan them into their set list

Josh-da-man

So they can get beejays from groupies?

BenFolds

I know for some bands like Dave Matthews Band or Ben Folds, they use the encore break as a rest period before coming back out. But i agree that its ridiculous most of the time.

fallow

Even though I thought the Interpol concert was friggin' incredible, I totally understand this.

I was standing up at the very front and I remember the tech crew tuning all of Interpol's instruments, opening Interpol bottles of imported beer, and then the band didn't come on stage for another 20 minutes. It bothered me until they finally did come out.

Another problem was that I was so close that I saw there set-list. It had the 10 songs they were playing for the regular set and at the bottom it said, "Encore" and then two more songs. When they finished their set I felt like I was clapping because it was part of an act. They would have come out for an encore one way or the other.

Dacoops3

I have been to MANY shows at different clubs and arenas. This is what I've noticed-
At clubs the ticket time is really just what time the doors are opening. They tend to leave an hour between the door time and the time the opening band comes on stage. Arena/stadium shows are different. They let people in quite a bit before the ticket time and the opening band usually will be on stage by the time it says on the ticket. As for encores, well, I really don't know what the reasoning behind that is. It does make it more exciting though IMO.

Giantrobo

Encores are cool if the band plays something unusual.
i.e. something they haven't played in years on tour or some cool cover song.

Ralph Wiggum

"Encores" are almost always built into the set. I'm sure it's just a way for the band to jack off to the crowd and make the audience feel they are getting something extra.

It's very cool when the encore is actually real.

RevLiver

Encores originally meant the audience enjoyed the show so much, they wanted more. It quickly became routine. Now, if a band doesn't play an encore, many in the audience will feel cheated.

As for start time, worst ever for me was last summer, seeing Cornelius at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC. The ticket said 8pm, doors 7. We got there just before 8 and they still hadn't let anyone upstairs into the performance area (if you've never been to the Bowery Ballroom, they have a bar in the basement where you can hang out before the show). Finally, the opening band was ready at around 930.

Ralph Wiggum

That's your answer.

Promoters want you in the door a couple hours early and buying booze.

ChiTownAbs, Inc

If the ticket says:

Doors 7pm
Show 8pm

You would think that the show started right at 8pm.

Ok, I lied -- I went to one show -- in Munich -- that started RIGHT on time. I was floored that they actually came on stage right at the ticketed time.

RevLiver

No, that's not it. I've been to many shows at the Bowery. The doors open an hour before they let you up to the performance area, that's when they want you buying booze. Besides, they have another bar on the main floor and another one up in the balcony. Best NYC club to see live music. This was just an isolated incident where the opening band took forever to set up and sound check so we were stuck in the basement bar for 2 and a half hours.