If you've ever gone out to a show only to find that the parking is limited, the door guy is rude, the drinks are expensive, and the crowd is hardly paying attention to the performer you've been dying to see, there is hope. There's a great alternative sweeping the country offering performers and music lovers alike a chance to leave all the nonsense behind @%&! is a house concert, anyway?” It's a perfectly logical question...
A house concert is a concert hosted in a home or other private space as opposed to a regular public venue (like a bar or coffeehouse). Beyond that broad distinction, there are no hard fast rules for what makes for a house concert and what doesn't.
Generally, a minimum audience of 20 is a good rule of thumb. Usually, and happily, the attendance is higher. Worried your living room is too small? I’ve played living/dining rooms, backyards, back porches, barns, lofts, a NYC railroad apartment, a farm, and a converted church. Audiences have been as small as 20 and as large as 150. I'm flexible. If you’re a fan and you want to host, let's talk. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
THE FORMAT
There's usually some sort of mingling period, anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, wherein folks arrive, sip on beverages, nosh and socialize. I personally like it when house concerts are potluck and BYOB, but you can handle all of that however you are most comfortable. I’ve played shows with just tea and cookies and I played a show in Santa Rosa that the host billed as a Cinqo de Mayo celebration. We had margaritas, super yummy Mexican food and more fun than you could shake a stick at.
Whenever there seems to be a critical mass of folks in attendance, or whenever "start time" rolls around, everyone settles down on chairs, couches, and often pillows (basically, wherever they can find a comfortable nook for themselves) and then the music begins. We usually play two 45-minute sets with a short break for mingling, munching and cd signing inbetween.
TECH STUFF
Depending on the space, a small PA system is beneficial to help supplement the natural acoustics. Having a P.A. allows me to sing dynamically and project for a long time without blowing out my voice. Often a friend of a friend may happily loan a system or one can be rented from a local music store for next to nothing. With the airlines putting so many restrictions on checked luggage (I typically fly into a region and then rent a car) it’s usually impractical to travel with a system, but its definitely something I'm researching.
Generally speaking, two mic stands, two speakers, speaker cables and a small mix board with a minimum of 4 inputs is all we need. We can take care of mics and other assorted cables.
HOW TO GET PEOPLE TO ATTEND
Enthusiastic word of mouth is by far the most affective way to reach people. Spread the word in the same personal way you would any celebration you host at your home. Personal contact is crucial. Several hosts I've booked with have found that E-vite is a great resource.
I have quite a bit of promotional materials available (photos, quotes, MP3s,) to help you put together an enticing invitation or email to your friends and family and coworkers. I’m also happy to provide posters and promo cds for local media (college radio stations are a great resource). If you're excited about the house concert -- spread that excitement among your friends. They'll be intrigued, at least. It's my job to win them over -- it's just your job to make them curious enough to give the music a try.
One note -- it's important to make sure, in the promotional process, that your guests understand that this will be a house concert -- and not just a house party that has some music going on in the background.
RSVPing
It's usually a good idea to have some sort of RSVP system in place -- to get some idea of how many folks to expect. Especially, if there's a second tier of people you'd like to invite. E-vite has been a great resource for managing this. I recommend the advance ticket route (or pre-paid reservations) for several reasons:
- People who have already bought tickets usually don't change their minds at the last minute.
- I have seen an RSVP-ed (but un-ticketed) full house evaporate because an unexpected storm.
- The best advertisement is someone who has already bought a seat.
Also, if you're comfortable with it, I will post the show on my website and ask interested folks to email you for an invite. You stay in control over who and how many people you invite into your home.
TICKET PRICES
Usually, hosts collect a suggested donation from the guests – either at the door or through paypal. $10-15 is pretty typical. I know it's sometimes weird to be explicit about money with your guests, but I've found that it's best to just be as upfront and clear as possible from the start. Having a money basket at the door is also a good idea, and actually seems to make things less awkward.
MOOLAH & WHATNOT
There’s a debate about this in the house concert community, but I do ask for a guaranteed minimum. In all fairness, we are doing a job and it keeps us from being eaten alive by tour expenses. Car rentals, gas, air fare, sidemen (who, in my case, gets paid whether I make any money or not), food, lodging… it all adds up very quickly.
If, as the host, you are worried about covering a guarantee, consider asking friends to chip in up to $20 or $30 in the unlikely event of a loss. This has the added benefit of getting more people involved early, and with a vested interest to boot. However, I have yet to play a show with a loss at the door.
Also, and this is by no means a deal breaker whatsoever, but if you’re able to put us up for the night, it’s a tremendous help. Plus, breakfast the next morning is usually a lot of fun.
NOW -- AS FOR THE EXPERIENCE
There are many wonderful and unique things about house concerts – there are no rude door people, or bartenders who ignore you, or strangers who spill or throw up on you. Your kids can attend. You don’t need to hunt for a baby sitter or a parking space. We won't be separated by a giant stage and glaring lights. We'll be sitting sitting together sharing, listening and connecting. Plus, you'll get to hear songs and stories that I would only consider playing in intimate settings. There's something very real cool about the whole set up that can be very moving, inspiring and invigorating. And that goes for me as much as for any listener.
THANK YOU
Thanks for considering hosting a house concert. Whether or not you're still interested or able to host one, I appreciate the support! If you'd like references, I'm happy to provide them. Long live indie music!
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