Location
A “house concert” can take place in a living room, back yard, or anyplace that can accommodate a group of willing listeners. The performance area should be free from noisy distractions and have good sight lines so the artists can be seen.
Format
House concerts usually allow for a meet and greet before the show begins. Some hosts offer guests food or drinks, some hosts allow guests to bring their own food and beverages. After all of the guests have arrived, the artists will perform for about 90 minutes. The artists get to perform and share their songs, they get to tell the stories about the songs, and give insights into the nature of the songs to the audience. After the performance, there is time for everyone to talk, socialize and purchase CDs or other merchandise.
Audience
Depending on the available space and the comfort level of the host, house concerts range quite a bit in size and scope. Some are a dozen people in a living room, others are 50 people in a large room, and some are 100+ people in a backyard. 20-30 people in a spacious living room is about average.
Marketing and Promotion
Enthusiastic word of mouth is by far the most effective way to get listeners to attend a house concert you are hosting. If you are excited about a house concert, please spread that excitement among your friends. We have promotional material available (audio files, photos, press releases) to help you put together an invitation to send to your friends, family, coworkers or any music lovers you may know. It's our job to charm them at the show. It's your job to make them curious enough to give the music a try.
In the promotional process, it is important to make it clear to your guests that this will be a house concert, an active listening event, and not a house party that has some music going on in the background.
It’s helpful to have an RSVP system in place to get an idea of how many listeners to expect. Email, Facebook, Evite, your own website, flyers, and the good old fashioned phone are effective ways to get the word out and gauge how many listeners will attend. If you are comfortable with it, we will post your house concert date on our website and ask any listeners interested in attending to email you for specific details and to RSVP. As a host, you stay in control over who you are inviting into your home.
Compensation
Most house concerts have a “Suggested Donation” in leu of a cover charge. The host typically sets a suggested donation price, usually between $10-20, and asks invitees to make that donation at the door. The money then goes directly to the artists. This way, the host doesn’t have to act as a business, and the artists are responsible for claiming any income to the government.
The Overall Experience
What's wonderful and unique about a house concert is that we are all sitting together in a room sharing, listening, and connecting. There are many songs we'll only play in this setting, and many stories we’re only comfortable sharing in an intimate gathering. There's something very tangible and human about the whole experience and it’s incredibly precious and wonderful for all involved.
How Do I Get Started?
If after reading all of this, you are able/willing to host us for a house concert, please get in touch with us through the contact tab of the website and we will promptly respond. Thanks!
Further Info
Here are a couple of good collections of resources for you if you're interested in hosting a house concert.
Concerts In Your Home
HouseConcerts.org