This should be a sticky - if such things existed here.

The explanation given for no encore confirmed what many of us were already thinking. These bigger venues have strict contracts that contain major financial penalties for playing past a certain time. If you measure the actually playing time or compare number of songs, the shows now are pretty much the same length. If you get three encores, it's because you got three fewer songs in the main set.

To get excited about encores now is like getting excited about that big tax return. (IT WAS YOUR MONEY AND THE GOVERNMENT KEPT IT ALL YEAR WITHOUT PAYING INTEREST! Sorry, that's a hot point with me. Of course, the illustration doesn't apply if you aren't paying income tax and still get a return. In that case, just send your tax paying neighbors a thank you note. Ignore this aside if you find it personally or politically offensive.) Multiple encores as a genuine response to audience enthusiasm is history.

Has anyone actually asked any of the boys why the current set lists seem to be repetitive? That would sure beat our endless whining.

--
"Technology to wipe out truth is now available, not everyone can afford it but it's available." B. Dylan

Rejoice always, Mark