en·core /ˈänˌkôr/ noun a repeated or additional performance of an item at the end of a concert, as called for by an audience.
Encores are one of the most anticipated parts of any concert. As soon as the Ticketmaster receipts land in the inbox, the fun in speculating the show begins with questions like:
"What songs will they play?"
"Do you think it's new or older stuff?"
"What song will they open with?"
"Do you think they'll do an encore?"
"What song will they save for the encore?"
We like to pump ourselves up for all of the things that will probably happen and we really won't care if they actually don't, because it's fun. Live music is fun. Encores have a long history with the reasonings and actualizations varying, but in the modern era it became a high endurance sport thanks to the Boss, Bruce Springstein, where encores stretched an already 3 hour show into a 4 hour spectacle. What we got this past Thursday was a Boss of a performance.
The newly reigning Battle at The Alley Champs took to the Bud Light stage just 5 days after winning the annual Battle of the Bands competition. Their performance from behind Smitty's, in front of an absolutely packed crowd, incentivized enough people to part with hard earned money in exchange for votes. For their performance at Amp, they set up in the municipal courtyard with a little bit more elbow room and a dance floor for the audience, to hopefully repeat their award winning performance of The Battle.
We've managed to escape it most of this year, but last week was reminiscent of Amps of years past, marked by dodgy weather that is as easy to guess as what the band is going to play for their encore - if they even do one. It used to be a given, it felt like, that if there was a chance of rain, that chance was on Thursdays. Just as everything looked as if it would be OK, the sky would tease otherwise. Despite the sporadic sprinkles, the band decided the hype train was leaving the station and it was go time. The crowds shared the weather's indecisiveness and reluctance to move, but it didn't affect everyone. I've shared my opinions of different observable metrics of a band's abilities to connect with the audience, and this week I found yet another new one - Umbrellas.
An umbrella is an interesting one that I'd not thought of before. An umbrella is an indication that one is prepared, but prepared to stay despite pushback from the elements. It says that after weighing out the factors when considering staying on a comfy couch versus standing or sitting outside to see a band, even precipitation didn't make the sofa more appealing. The Alley was not the same packed thoroughfare we'd come to expect during Amp, however, it was littered with umbrellas. Aiken has canceled schools, mail service, and government offices for blustery days, but when a band draws out folks with umbrellas and rain jackets - that is a feat all its own.
When the audience starts dancing in the rain, you know you've got something special. When you hear the rich velvet of Christon singing "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman, your fingers start snapping and your hips start twitching in time. Follow it up with some Gnarles Barkley "Crazy" and your body has built an autonomous momentum. Then you get the power of Jason's guitar intertwined with Christon's penetrating vocals for The Allman Brothers "Whipping Post" and the energy is unstoppable.
The band is an ensemble of incredible talent, each with their own specialization. In Oceans 11, it may seem crazy to have someone on the team who's only skill is flexibility, until you need just that exact type of person to fit into a tiny box. That's Ronnie, popping up with a with a flute out of nowhere to make a true to the original rendition of Men at Work. Saxy Dave adds the perfect smooth accents with a combination of his sax, alto sax, and keyboards. Jason shreds on the guitar while also providing vocal depth and range along with Tom. The different vocal stylings and range of Christon, Jason, and Tom also open the set list to a variety of songs suited to each singers talents. Julian and Mike hold the foundation together keeping time on bass and drums respectively to round out a band that flawlessly moves between rock genres: soft, folk, indie, pop, yacht, classic, alternative, as well as iconic classics from across the generations. It's not a rock exclusively, Whiskey Business is in the business of having fun and with all genres. They aren't afraid to rock, but expect some Doobie Brothers, The Commodores, Blondie, Modern English - even "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers.
Whiskey Business won the hearts of The Alley while clinching 1st place at The Battle at The Alley, and gave us an encore to make sure nobody would forget anytime soon. Last week I was pondering our shows from the artists' perspective. I threw a lot at Whiskey Business in 5 days when I suggested they do The Battle 5 days before Amp. They didn't hesitate, they rose to the occasion, and if they had any trepidation they never showed it. The natural cohesion of such a large group is undeniable, and the fun they have is contagious. The crowd grew throughout the night despite a smattering rain threatening to soak the audience and equipment alike, and by the end, they had amassed a crowd demanding one more song. Christon and crew were more than happy to deliver an encore during their encore peromance with hits worth dancing to for the feverish crowd that missed out earlier on. We can't wait to see more of this fantastic group in the area!
To complete the full circle whirlwind experience of Whiskey Business, you can catch them this Saturday, September 21 across from Tailgate Tavern at 7pm. If you managed to miss them twice this past couple weeks, then you're in luck, they are performing a three-peat! If you were fortunate enough to catch them twice already... well, you are also in luck.
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This Week on the Bud Light Stage - King Size
Ruskin, Cam, and Brannon are back! This week we interrupt the up and comers with some Amp Alum Legends! Ruskin, Cam, and Brannon have all appeared on the Bud Light stage multiple times under multiple banners - and crush every time. Impulse Ride, Black Dawg, The Experiement and the I - 20 Horns (returning Oct 24th), and King Size! I could tell you why you should come out to see them, but they've made their case expertly performance after performance during Amp the Alley!
King Size
King Size performing Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil
Live Music at Brunch
Whiskey Alley is hosting another live music Brunch on the 29th from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. Music will be performed by Justin Anderson and Mark Janousek. You've seen Mark perform with Chris Ndeti and others on the Bud Light Stage. Make the best Brunch in The Alley even better with live music!
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