House Concerts are to music what Farmers Markets are to food. Music, much like food, has been captured, chemically treated, over packaged and generally distilled into bit size pieces of Grammy pops that leave many a consumer and creator under nourished. Some say that a House Concert is not a legitimate venue. Some say that it’s for artists who can’t get “real” gigs or are too scared to face a “real” crowd. Interesting points that deserve further discussion. But musicians ask yourself, when was the last time you got to a gig and were met with a home cooked meal? Or help carrying your gear, attentive considerate fans that someone else supplied, and more money than most clubs will pay? If this is how the amateurs do it, I’ve gotta call the Musicians Union to let them know the bad news… This is music reborn and thriving!
What we need –
1. You provide a dry, warm, lighted, electrical outlet having, living room type setting. If not your place consider a friend’s, a church, recreation room, or business place. This would be considered a private event, no posters or adverts for insurance purposes.
2. You must feel confident that you could get at least 25 or so friends to attend and that your house can comfortably hold that many in the performance area.
3. You are responsible for food and drinks. Pot luck and BYOB usually works the best.
4. You can either charge a door fee or pass the hat to help cover our expenses which are about $500 minimum. Also it is the host’s duty to encourage record and merch sales.
5. Lodging is very helpful but not required
Also if there will be children and or pets, if they are not interested in quietly enjoying the performance the host will need to arrange for those little and furry people to do something else.
Consider having a sitter, that parents can pitch in to pay for, supervise games and such in a separate room just for the tots!
Here are a few though provoking articles on this amazing movement you might enjoy reading if you are considering hosting:
