What Role Do Encores Play In Rock Performances?

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Fox Reviews Rock

22nd Dec 2025

Why Encores Matter in Rock Concerts

Encores have become a defining tradition in rock shows for years! It gives fans that final burst of excitement after the main set ends. Creating anticipation, suspense and a special treat for the audience. When the band leaves the stage the crowd often roars for more.

The encore becomes a shared ritual that strengthens the connection between the band and the fans. I have to admit though I personally would rather bands stayed onstage and fit even more songs in. But I do understand the history of encores. But that being said the 3 encores The Cure did was too many…

Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’ (All Rights Are Retained By Journey)

How Encores Deepen the Artist–Audience Connection

If an encore is chosen well it allows bands to deliver emotionally charged fan favourite tracks that boost the bond with the crowd. The moment a band comes back on stage feels honest and intimate and almost like the band is giving something extra to those who showed up.

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (All Rights Are Retained By Pink Floyd)

Encores as a Spot for Big Hits and Surprise Performances

As I mentioned before encores are often reserved for the bands biggest songs, or special one off covers. The placement gives the night a great ending and leaves fans buzzing for long past the final riff. The unpredictability when bands choose a deep cut from their catalogue gives it that added excitement too.

Motorhead – Ace Of Spades (All Rights Are Retained By Motorhead)

The Evolving Role of Encores in Modern Rock Shows

While the encore started out as a spontaneous response to a crowd (In my opinion how it should be). They are now planned into the set list. Even so, audiences still view them as a great part of a rock gig. The encore has evolved into a performance strategy and a fan expectation. If that is a good thing or not is up to you to decide.

Radiohead – Creep (All Rights Are Retained By Radiohead)

All rights to the songs used in this post are retained by the relevant artists. This site claims no rights over them.

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10 responses to “What Role Do Encores Play In Rock Performances?”

missparker0106

22nd Dec 2025

My high-level view of encores is that it shows the audience that they are connected and valued. As much as the audience doesn’t want the show to end, it symbolically states that the band doesn’t want to disconnect from their loyal followers. And yeah, the cynical side of me knows that encores are pre-planned for dramatic effect, but it’s nice to believe, in the moment, that they are spontaneous gifts of love.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  23rd Dec 2025
  
  I would rather that they were not planned thats all. So a show actually finishes, they are done completely. The crowd calls for the band to come back and they play 1 or 2 random songs NOT the bands biggest hits! 🙂
  
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  1. missparker0106
    
    23rd Dec 2025
    
    Exactly.
    
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richardbist

22nd Dec 2025

I have mixed feelings about encores. On one hand, they often seem forced. Like, I know the band is going to come back out and play another song, probably that one hit they didn’t play during their regular set. It extends the show a little longer, but I know it’s coming.

On the other hand, it can be a thrill when the band adds a surprise, like an unexpected guest. Years ago I was at a music festival in Houston, Texas, and one of the bands, Triumph, came out to do their encore. But they also brought out Sammy Hagar and Ted Nugent to join them and they launched into Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”.

Maybe that set the bar too high for me. 🙂

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  23rd Dec 2025
  
  Yeah the added special guest thing can really help! But when they leave their biggest hit out the main set its like come on… I know you’re coming back so just stay on stage and fit another song in!
  
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RasmaSandra

22nd Dec 2025

Encores bring a euphoria of feelings, and the artists know they are loved and appreciated, I have seen videos of encores that brought tears to my eyes.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  23rd Dec 2025
  
  Yeah I totally get the feeling the artists get because of it. But wouldn’t it be cool if it was less scripted or at least different songs each time rather than just their biggest hit
  
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Ordinary Person

23rd Dec 2025

I believe encores are great if they’re spontaneous. If it’s something that’s already planned, it’s simply a tactic to please the crowd. And one song is enough. A band could choose to perform a famous cover as an encore imo. That could get the crowd singing along.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  23rd Dec 2025
  
  This is pretty much my feelings spot on! 🙂
  
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Greg Dennison

23rd Dec 2025

I think spontaneous encores are probably the best kind, but it’s good to have something pre-planned too. And if the crowd isn’t into the show, they shouldn’t expect an encore… like the lyric in this song says, “twenty songs if they love me, only eighteen if they don’t.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4o1tXA7hVo

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