Ray Charles never gave encores, he knew it was bullshit. I don't need encores in my life, I'm quite happy with a main set list, perhaps broken down into two sets, whatever, I don't need encores, means getting home later. I guess I'm blasé, so be it.

Maybe he found it too much trouble to get back on stage, being blind and all...

I find encores to be self-indulgent on the part of the artist, an opportunity for them to get their egos stroked by a long period of applause before they return to stage. I don't mind if the artist wants/needs to take a break midway through, like James Taylor did during his tour last year. I don't much need encores, either.

When I was younger, I felt "cheated" whenever a concert I attended did not include an encore. However, my way of thinking has changed, since most encores tend to be brief and rushed, and more time is taken up by obligatory applause than actual music.