I recently went to the George Michael concert. It was my first arena show in years. The world has changed a lot when it comes to many things. Arena shows were something I would have thought would stand some invisible test of time. Wouldn't most people agree that an arena show of the George Michael magnitude would have rowdy, die-hard fans from the top of the stands to the bottom of the arena floor? Shows should get rowdier over the years because to go to an arena show these days cost a large chunk of change. So that would lead you to the conclusion that only the biggest greatest fans would arrive to dance and sing, right? You would be so wrong. The women behind me tapped 3 people on the shoulder and asked us to sit down because she couldn't see. This was just the start to the awkwardness of an arena show for me.
The really awkwardness for me came at what should have maybe been the end of the show. The part where George leaves the stage, but the lights don't come up. What happened next seemed ridiculous to me. I imagine that the scene I have just laid out is not foreign to anyone reading this. It is the phenomenon known to us all as the encore. No this isn't the first time that this has happened at a show I have been at. I am also certain that it won't be the last. What I found so awkward about this encore is that they no longer pretend there won't be an encore. They just left me sitting in the dark clapping like a fool cheering for what I already knew to be a fore gone conclusion. The second encore which was just one song started to send me over the edge. That is when I realized someone should bring back the finale. I don't frequent the symphony but I feel comfortable their aren't a lot of encores. I do imagine them to have a build in the tension of music to a final crest. It is a more refined way of serving up a great musical experience.
Picture the 4th of July fireworks that you might watch next week. The start kind of tiny and build bigger and bigger. Sometimes during a firework show you even think you are watching a finale and then they psych you out and keep going for another 20 minutes. Then a 10 minute masterpiece that leaves you in awe not disappointment.
Imagine a show set on a similar set up. The songs would start out on some of the lesser songs in the artists catalog. Then they would start adding some popular classics maybe a couple in row to lead you to believe the show is almost over. Causing you to check your watch so you can reassure yourself that the show isn't almost over. It would keep building and building until the most popular songs would be played back to back with no pause. Making sure that the crowd came to the most frenzied point. Then a quick thank you a wave and Elvis has left the building. Lights come up and everyone talks about how great of a show they just saw. No one would leave unhappy after hearing a great string of songs by one of their favorite artists.
Someone please bring back the finale I don't think I can applaud for another encore it just makes me feel like a sheep.
