Hosting a House Concert

I've played many house concerts and they continue to be some of my favorite shows.  House concerts are simply concerts hosted in houses, apartments, or community spaces that aren't your typical venue.  With no noise from a bar or coffeeshop and no raised stage or bright lights of a theater, these homey venues provide a unique listening room experience where musician and audience get to connect on a more intimate performance level.  

If you enjoy listening to music, hearing the stories behind the song, hosting gatherings, and supporting independent touring artists perhaps hosting a house concert is right for you!

The Space

All you need is a space big enough to seat 15-40 people.  It can be as easy as adding some folding chairs into the living room or asking guests to bring lawn chairs.  House concerts can take place in a living room, basement, deck, lawn, or garage.  Think about your space creatively!

If it's outdoors, think about weather, shade, and rain cover.  If it is going to be an evening concert you might want to consider lighting.  I typically need an outlet to plug my small PA into, but with smaller rooms sometimes I play totally acoustic.  

The Invitation

Invite your friends, family, and neighbors and have them invite their friends and neighbors! Send out an invitation about a month before the event.  You could use email, phone calls, texts, eventbrite, or facebook to collect RSVPs.  

In your invite include:

  • Date 
  • Time (ex: potluck at 6/music at 7)
  • Address
  • Links to my music so they can check it out
  • Cost (typically a $15-25 suggested donation)
  • Any logistics like potluck, snacks provided, BYOB, etc.
  • Details about parking if needed
  • A reminder that seating is limited so please RSVP  

I will have a donation jar to set out and folks can also donate digitally through Venmo: @Megan-Bee-Music 

 

The Concert

There are several ways to schedule the flow of the concert.  Some common options to consider: 

  • Potluck before the concert
  • BYOB happy hour/snacks before concert
  • Tea/Coffee provided and BYO Snacks
  • Just the concert

Concerts could take place in the evening or perhaps a weekend afternoon matinee.  I typically perform a 80-90 minute set for house concerts, but we can talk about logistics/preferences when we book the concert.  

BOOKING

Reach out to me at meganbeemusic@gmail.com to chat about dates and logistics!  

For more in depth ideas and and guides for hosting check out https://concertsinyourhome.org/free-guides/