Anticipation - The Audience Will Know

In this edition of Set List Sunday Favorite, I am highlighting  In the Air Tonight Live - Phil Collins with a unique twist.

If you know Billy Squier by one simple lyric, you know him well.  If you know Peter Frampton by guitar and one lyric, you know him well.

If you know Duran Duran by one single instrumental stroke, you know the band well.

Anticipation, on the other hand...

Okay, every Duran Duran fan knows that "Rio" is the conclusion to a full concert set list.  The audience loves the performance, but anticipates for the spectacular show for one song alone.

And then there is the drum solo by Phil Collins in "In the Air Tonight" - whether recorded or live.

Let's go with a live concert.  He enters the stage and begins singing.  He hits every note with a hint of exaggeration.  He is calm.  He knows what the audience is waiting for.  He casually walks to the drum kit.  And then the audience's anticipation is profoundly answered with a loud and powerful drum solo - iconic to the song and a permanent staple in music.

A mix of talents in one song by one person alone - and live - makes Phil Collins and "In the Air Tonight" nearly genius in musical status.

Phil Collins is listed in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time for a reason and "In the Air Tonight" is excellent proof of that reason.

Roger Taylor noted Phil Collins and "In the Air Tonight" for good reason.

My take away from this edition of Set List Sunday Favorite -
Anticipation at a concert keeps the energy electric and only fuels the band's performance.  

For example, in Duran Duran's Live from London concert, Simon Le Bon suggested a bridge to "I Don't Want Your Love" by encouraging Roger Taylor to set the beat.  Simon encouraged Roger again.  And then Andy Taylor got involved with a striking tone on his guitar.  And then John and Nick.  Andy, John, Nick, and Roger knew what Simon wanted from them and Simon knew how the audience would react.  "No, I like more noise than that..." A declaration from Simon to get the audience to scream as loud as physically possible while the band backed off from their instruments.  In that one moment, the audience anticipated something amazing.  Simon followed through.

Phil Collins did exactly the same thing in "In the Air Tonight."  He knew the audience anticipated the drum solo.  He kept the pace and beat of the song in check to keep the anticipation going.  And then he followed through.

In one word - speechless.