Thank you and goodnight

I have just written the review on Katie Melua at the NEC, who was very good incidentally and, actually started on time, which, as anyone who frequents concerts, is not that common among those touched by even the slightest hint of fame.

As usual though we had the normal charade of the band and star taking a bow and then everyone troops off stage while the crowd whoop, yell and whistle for an encore.

The late John Denver always claimed he played a game when he ended a set whereby he used to leave the stage run and touch the back wall and see if he could get back before the clapping stopped.

Stephen Stills, who is less mobile than he was after an operation for prostrate cancer, is a bit more open about it. The band go off and do the 'if you cheer loud enough we will come back and sing another' bit while he just turns and watches them go, wanders over to the piano for a drink of water, pretending he is not there, then turns back to the audience when the band return 30 seconds or so later.

Katie Melua and her band seemed to have gone for a tour of the NEC, perhaps taking in an exhibition or two, before they returned but as long as the light's don't go on you know they are coming back.

Now one day, when some unsuspecting band go off for their mock exit, why don't we all sneak out so they come wandering back to an empty auditorium?