Spaces hosting essential part of repeat performances (7)

I believe the answer is:

encores

'repeat performances' is the definition.
(repeat or extended performances at a concert)

'spaces hosting essential part' is the wordplay.
'spaces' becomes 'ens' (in printing, spaces as wide as a letter 'n').
'hosting' is an insertion indicator.
'essential part' becomes 'core' (the essential or core part of something).
'ens' placed around 'core' is 'ENCORES'.

'of' is the link.

(Another definition for encores that I've seen is " Replays".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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