Don't worry, I won't move too far away from my few areas of expertise. Instead today, I would like you all to consider a crisis that reaching epidemic proportions in the music industry. Many of us go to concerts regularly...that's what we do, we're young twentysomethings and music still holds some importance to us. Every concert goes roughly the same way. First, the venue opens the doors early so everyone stands around and waits for a while. Eventually, an opening band comes on the stage and everyone is happy the show is finally moving. After about a song, the energy in the crowd immediately dies down again unless 1) you count the 6 fans who came out specifically for the opening act, 2) you are at one of those huge tours with well-known opening acts, or 3) the band is really something special. The opening act will continuously kiss the crowd's ass shamelessly by complimenting the city, thanking the headlining act repeatedly, and, without fail, making thinly veiled references to marijuana.
After the opening act completes its set, the crowd always faces another prolonged break. Eventually, the opening act comes out and plays its set. It too will eventually leave the stage after it plays a number of songs...but we all know they will be back. Why? Because every band these days plans an encore into its show. It is no longer even a question mark...something special reserved for those unique shows where the performer is on top of their game and are one with the crowd. Instead, it has turned into something of a game at every concert. Each audience member pays attention to the set list, noting which hits have not been played yet. These, we all know, are being saved for the encore. Then the band runs off stage, conveniently forgetting to take their guitars with them. The audience cheers for a while (why? probably to feel like they got there $25 worth) and the band pretends they are not going to return. Fortunately, the house manager knows better and the lights stay dimmed. Just as the crowd is beginning to lose interest in cheering and is heading towards the exit, the band triumphantly returns to the stage to play a couple of their hits. Mercifully, it all usually ends in 15 minutes.
When I went to The Strokes concert at the Verizon Theatre in January, I was expecting much of the same thing. The concert was electric. Throughout the set, though,I kept trying to figure out what songs they would play for their encore. Everytime I thought I had one pegged, it would be the next song they played. On the last song of the set, Take It Or Leave It, lead singer Julian Casablancas jumped into the crowd and it felt much more real than pretentious. After the song came to a close, he gathered himself and left the stage. Everyone stayed and cheered for an encore, an encore I desperately wanted, but none ever came. The house manager, who seemed to be expecting one too, eventually turned the lights on and the crowd filed out.
The show was outstanding, and I don't know why more performers don't try that. After the show I went straight to my car and put in my Strokes cd, something that would be unthinkable for me to do after most concerts. The Strokes left the sell-out crowd when we were in the palm of their hand and they knew we wanting more. It was brilliant. Here's hoping that the Houston crowd receives that encore tthat we so strongly desired as soon as possible.
6-13-02 - Birthday Thoughts
6-11-02 - Soccer Masturbation
6-8-02 - Objective Ratings
6-6-02 -Thursday Thoughts
6-5-02 - World Cup Bandwagon Jumping
6-4-02 - Mayer, Comfortable
6-3-02 - Mayer, City Love
5-30-02 - Thursday Thoughts
5-29-02 - Memorial Day Weekend
5-23-02 - Thursday Random Thoughts
5-20-02 - NBA Lottery
5-19-02 - Reader's mail
5-18-02 - New Cow Theory
5-17-02 - Graduation
5-16-02 - More Ramblings
5-10-02 - Marriage, Ugh
5-9-02 - Thursday Ramblings
5-8-02 - Inflatable Goats
5-7-02 - Temporary Fan Status
5-6-02 - Dinner Party
ARCHIVES
1) "Silent Sigh" - Badly Drawn Boy
2) "Aztec God" - Deathray Davies
3) "Rocky Raccoon" - The Beatles
4) "And it Stoned Me" - Van Morrison
5) "Kick Drum" - G Love & Special Sauce
6) "Baby Do You Like My Clothes?" - Har Mar Superstar
7) "Keep That Funk Alive" - Bootsy Collins
8) "Amy" - Ryan Adams
9) "Streets of Where I'm From" - Old 97's
10) "Benny and the Jets" - Biz Markie
5) He's Short
4) He's Slow
3) The Own Goal Against Portugal
2) His Confidence is Gone
1) An Agoos mistake has led to every meaningful goal against the US in the World Cup!!
