house concerts

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the world of house concerts

News, thoughts, and links relating to the artists and presenters of house concerts.

Drew Pearce and Friends at a House Concert

What is a house concert? 

(Besides a wildly entertaining way to keep artists alive.)

House concerts are the result of music fans wanting a more intimate concert experience from the artists they discover. These "house concert hosts" invite a music artist or small group to perform a concert in their living room (or other non-traditional concert space.)

House concerts have existed in their present form for decades. Generally, a host will schedule a concert and invite 25-50 friends, neighbors, and co-workers to attend.

The set up for the show is usually simple: move a little furniture around, bring in some extra chairs, and create a little space for the performer. Hosts can also elect to serve light snacks or have a pot-luck dinner before the show.

Guests usually donate $10-15 per person, all of which goes to the performer. Traditionally, the host also offer a meal and a guest room for the night to the artist.

Hosts make no money from these events, but rarely spend more than a modest amount to create a unique concert experience for their friends.

Artists can do quite well with these events, which can sometime allow them to break into new markets before they've established enough fans to fill a club venue.

Much more information, including hundreds of house concert hosts and artists can be found at http://concertsinyourhome.com

Links for Original Music Artists 

What Artists Get Paid
Check out this interesting survey that shows how much venues pay. Coffeehouses, bars, colleges, festivals and house concerts are all compared.
Artist Tips
Advice for artist who tour, especially those who enjoy house concerts, or are considering joining ConcertsInYourHome.com

What Artists Get Paid for Performing

Interesting Survey of ORIGINAL MUSIC ACTS, and how much they make at different types of venues.

House Concert Videos 

by artists from ConcertsInYourHome.com

Artists performing (mostly) house concerts.

concertsinyourhome.com on the news

fran snyder interview about concertsinyourhome.com, his new website which is the driving force behind the growing house concert movement

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curated content from YouTube

Latest Posts from the CiYH House Concerts Blog 

Can they save live music for singer-songwriters?

House concerts are a fascinating growing trend which allows small acts to perform shows for intimate, attentive audiences in the living rooms of fans, and other non-traditional concert venues

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House Concert All-Stars from CIYH 

Hit songwriters, legendary side-men & women, and hit comedy writers?

People sometimes get the mistaken impression that house concerts are not something that would appeal to artists who've had a lot of success. In fact, there are many hit songwriters and artists who've toured the world's big stages who really enjoy performing in people's homes.

I was looking through our website the other day, and was reminded of how many commercially successful artists who have joined ConcertsInYourHome.com.

Here's a partial list - I'll try to update this from time to time.

  • Jennifer Batten - lead guitarist for 3 Michael Jackson tours, and several tours with Jeff Beck.
  • Buzz Cason - co-writer of "Everlasting Love" and other hits, covered by artists as far-ranging as Martina McBride and U2.
  • Steve Poltz - co-writer of Jewel's "You Were Meant for Me."
  • (in fond memory) Robert Hazzard - co-writer of Cindy Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"
  • Craig Bickhardt - songs recorded by over 100 artists - from Willie to Ray Charles, including 3 #1 Country Hits.
  • Wayne Gratz - 7 albums on the prestigious Narada label
  • DC Anderson - cast member of the Phantom of the Opera touring company
  • Mark Turnbull - Grammy-nominated by age 17, songs for many major motion pictures
  • Jeff Holmes - of the legendary Floating Men
  • John Young - major tours with Asia and the Scorpions, as well as Fish and Bonnie Tyler
  • Kenny Edwards - co-founder of the Stone Poneys with Linda Rondstadt
  • Wendy Waldman - writer of hit song "Saved the Best for Last" for Vanessa Williams
  • Freebo - sideman to the stars, most notably with Bonnie Raitt
  • Thea Hopkins - writer of "Jesus is on the Wire" by Peter Paul and Mary
  • Tracy Newman - hit comedy writer (Cheers, Ellen, According to Jim)
  • Kevin Welch - songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Roger Miller, Jimmy LaFave,
  • Chad and Jeremy - several hit songs "Summer's Song", "Yesterday's Gone,"
  • David Bradstreet - Juno award-winning hit songwriter

Imagine having one of these artists perform in your living room.

Have you ever been to a house concert? 

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Quick Links for more house concert resources 

13 Ways to Get More House Concert Bookings
for small acts who've achieved professional status.
House Concert Fast Facts
Great primer to learn interesting trends in house concerts.

Revealing House Concert Survey

Some surprising answers here.

Nice shirts and hats to promote your house concerts 

House Concert Cap 1

Show your support of house concerts with this cap design by concertsinyourhome.com.

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Show your support of house concerts with this shirt design by concertsinyourhome.com.

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House Concert Large Mug 1

Show your support of house concerts with this mug design by concertsinyourhome.com.

Price: 14.99Buy Now

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Is it smart/good to promote house concerts? 

Some fear that increasing the popularity of house concerts is likely to cause additional regulation and threaten hosts who want to stay "off the grid."

Some believe that any downside to promoting house concerts is vastly outweighed by the need for
1. more listening rooms
2. developing talent
3. the spread of great music and joyful experiences

What do you think?

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Yes, Promote Them!

Bev Barnett says:

Those of us in the house concert community know of two examples of hosts who have had legal trouble, and we feel for those friends. But there are thousands more who have not. Let's not keep this a secret out of fear! Many high profile hosts have been featured in their local newspapers and on TV news broadcasts.

Let's keep this in perspective. We host music in the privacy of our own homes, and we ask for donations for the musicians. Its a great story that needs to be told, so more people can have this experience.

Fear is dead. Embrace love instead. Love can change the world - maybe house concerts can, too!

Fran says:

Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams.

I dream of a network of weekend circuits (house concerts), which allow talented artists to tour regionally, perform for attentive crowds, and get home with great memories and a few dollars in their pocket.

I dream of audiences who've learned to listen to music again, instead of chatting, zoning out to the TV, or reading table tents while an artist is performing great stuff.

No, You Should Chill.

 

by drivinman

I'm a singer-songwriter based in Lawrence, KS. I tour as a solo act, and sound like Sting or Duncan Sheik with a bit more sense of humor. http://frans... (more)

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