Many bands will choose to opt out of the encore nowadays. The idea is to leave it all on stage. But really, its an excuse for bands are left in a no win situation. If they don’t do it, fans will leave feeling cheated. Having something taken away is indeed powerful.
The encore should be for the fans that brought it that night for a live show and for the band who gave it. And if one party wasn’t deserving then an encore should not happen.
I’m not sure when it became the standard to automatically expect an encore. But the the surprise is gone. And so is the chance to delight. It was a gift and expecting a gift always kills the gift itself.
By expecting it, we have ruined it. I do miss the chants of, “ONE MORE SONG!” Where a band couldn’t leave without the crowds permission.
Josh Allred's Blog 