HOUSE CONCERTS
For those of you who have never heard of or attended a house concert or are considering hosting one, I created this page to give you some general information about how they work and to encourage you to attend, or even better, host an artist like me for a concert in your home. I encourage you to explore the information I've provided below and see for yourself what house concerts are all about.
Why House Concerts?
In over 10 years of performing as a full-time musician, nothing has come close to the experience of performing at house concerts, as the intimate setting provides an excellent environment for artists to connect with their audience, and gives the listeners a venue to experience live music free from the smoke, noise, TV's, and distractions of more traditional music venues. I've found these are one of the best ways to connect with audiences by telling the stories behind the songs, and sharing the music in a listening environment. They're also a key to expanding my touring radius and gaining an audience in new areas, and hosts will find that they're a great excuse to have a get-together!
If you have a room in your house, a patio, or a backyard that can hold 20 or more people than can host your own house concert. They don't necessarily require any expense for the host, and don't require a lot of work...you'll just be inviting your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers and clearing a little room for a great live music experience.
What is a House Concert?
It’s an invitation-only concert in someone’s home, presented by a host who does not profit from the event. Most house concerts are:
• held indoors and on weekends
• attended by 20-50 people
• paid for by a $10-20 donation per guest (to the performer)
• known to include light snacks, beverages or a pot-luck dinner
• attended by the host’s friends, neighbors, co-workers, and maybe a few fans of the artist
• attended by a 25-60 age group
• performed by solo acts, duos and small groups
• performed with a very small sound system or no amplification
• very intimate — the audiences sit close and are attentive
• performed in two, 40-minute sets with a 20-minute break
• stronger for artist’s merchandise sales than traditional venues
• known to house and feed the artist for the night (optional)
Although house concerts will adhere to most of these traditions, you may not find any house concerts that run exactly according to the list above. Each house concert is a collaboration between an artist, a host/presenter, and their friends and supporters. I typically work closely with hosts before a performance to ensure we have a great time and great attendance, and walk the host through the steps to help them prepare for the performance.
Download this handy guide to learn all you need to know about hosting!