That's what I thought at first, but with the cool stories here it sounds like a cool thing to do. I guess if you are wanting to book these in an area where you don't have a network, CL is one way to do it.
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House concert - is this a common thing?
- Thread starter gln1955
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That's what I thought at first, but with the cool stories here it sounds like a cool thing to do. I guess if you are wanting to book these in an area where you don't have a network, CL is one way to do it.
i used to have Living Room DVD Concerts ... a little while back , when i had a larger TV and a couple thousands watts of A/V before most folks did ...
prefer my own bathroom and cheaper snacks/drinks ( and other goodies ) ..!!
prefer my own bathroom and cheaper snacks/drinks ( and other goodies ) ..!!
Yep. Leon Helm’s famous Midnight Rambles concerts in the barn. Great shows. And still going on.
Daryl Hall (of Hall and Oats fame) has a small rustic dinner/concert club and is doing something similar.
I did a few house concerts when I was in the folk band. Pretty fun, decent pay, and a pretty intimate experience. I've seen people advertising for house concerts from all sort of genres. Patrick Moraz (Moody Blues, Yes) did a tour like that once.
I’d skip CL and all the nonsense that goes along with it and just google “living room concerts.” There are established small concert networks and communities out there. The “secret” and “house” concert world is alive and well. Far better off trying to hook up with some them first rather than go it alone if it’s your first time out doing micro shows -assuming your music fits into the vibe (and volume levels!) these shows are looking for.
LOL!
One sure way to get invited to all the best private parties and shows is to host them yourself. And it’s more convenient and usually less expensive than a night out at a bar.
One of my old punk bands did basement/house shows for entire tours. Some of those places are absolutely wild.
I have started seeing this in the last 1 - 2 years. I guess it's a great way to connect with an audience in a VERY intimate venue.
Yes! I remember pat doing that years ago, before he passed away. Since then I've seen other artists and friends do this to supplement their tour.
But punk bands have been doing this since it's inception for the most part.
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@MichelD Actually, It's Marcia Ramirez and her husband Mike Waldron. They also come about once a year to The Downtowne Listening Room in Cinci and bring singer/songwriter Rob Harris along. I went to their last show a couple months ago and it was really good. Which Linda are you speaking of BTW?
- Jan 26, 2014
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Done a bunch of "underground" metal shows like this. Basements, back yards.
Usually they get the neighbors involved too, selling burgers or tacos. A lot of these shows are opportunities for underage kids to see local metal bands. It's usually very respectful, they get a mosh pit going where they can.
A little different than what you're asking I guess. Never seen a tour like that though.
Usually they get the neighbors involved too, selling burgers or tacos. A lot of these shows are opportunities for underage kids to see local metal bands. It's usually very respectful, they get a mosh pit going where they can.
A little different than what you're asking I guess. Never seen a tour like that though.
We used to do house gigs regularly in our back room - a couple of times a year. It was great fun. Mostly up and coming singers we’d got to know on the London singer-songwriter/art centre circuit and from writing for a couple of online music mags. But we also had Steve Lawson doing a solo bass gig along with his wife, Lobelia, who’s a fantastic singer in her own right. We’d have 24 people sitting on sofas and garden chairs and used a small PA I’ve got (tho to be fair, that’s not really needed but since I had it already... why not). It’s a wonderful way to experience music and there was always a fantastic rapport between the performers and audience - which the singers always said was a real treat for them too.
It was always a lovely informal setting for music and all our friends who came along loved it (mostly non muso types) and would rave about it to all their friends. We had some great singers from both the UK and US (who were over on small UK tours - solo artists, duos and even a fiddle/cello trio - Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards). Highly recommended if you ever fancy it. We’d charge (a voluntary donation of) £10, all of which went straight to the artist as a gift plus they invariably picked up a load of CD sales too - which meant it was probably one of their most profitable gigs given the way artists are treated in/near London! Lol!
Like others have said, for independent artists over here touring it’s a good way to break up a touring schedule (and fill in empty nights in the tour schedule.
One of our house gig artists went on to win a Grammy or two for songs written with Ed Sheeran and some US country artists, another one is now one of the judges on South Africa’s version of “The Voice”... which gives you an idea of the level of quality of the singers making a living plying the folk club circuit!
It was always a lovely informal setting for music and all our friends who came along loved it (mostly non muso types) and would rave about it to all their friends. We had some great singers from both the UK and US (who were over on small UK tours - solo artists, duos and even a fiddle/cello trio - Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards). Highly recommended if you ever fancy it. We’d charge (a voluntary donation of) £10, all of which went straight to the artist as a gift plus they invariably picked up a load of CD sales too - which meant it was probably one of their most profitable gigs given the way artists are treated in/near London! Lol!
Like others have said, for independent artists over here touring it’s a good way to break up a touring schedule (and fill in empty nights in the tour schedule.
One of our house gig artists went on to win a Grammy or two for songs written with Ed Sheeran and some US country artists, another one is now one of the judges on South Africa’s version of “The Voice”... which gives you an idea of the level of quality of the singers making a living plying the folk club circuit!
I've done some of these recently, usually associated with an in-home art show or something.
decent money, usually really good food and drinks, too.
This is nothing new though, been going on for decades, I remember going to house shows in the 80's, played many in the 90's and beyond, just now that I am older I only play the nicer homes...
decent money, usually really good food and drinks, too.
This is nothing new though, been going on for decades, I remember going to house shows in the 80's, played many in the 90's and beyond, just now that I am older I only play the nicer homes...
It’s getting more and more popular for rock and metal bands in my area partially because pay for a private party is often a lot better than playing at clubs these days. Not just houses either. The biker clubs around here will have parties at their club houses and they pay bands really well. Car shows. Also the best benefit I’ve played as far as how much money we raised was actually held in a fire department out on the country, the small one stop light towns mayor even showed up and was supportive(it was a no alcohol gig) . Hell I even played a college party at east Carolina university where they put a couple of kegs in the bathtub and filled it with ice. luckily the cops didn’t show up until we were loading out and didn’t give us any trouble. I think a lot of it is that so many bands are willing to play for nothing that the clubs have lowered the bar as far as what they are willing to pay bands. Most of the club gigs in my area are multiple band gigs also. And as more and more bands play for nothing clubs have started having more bands on every show. Back in the early 2000s 3 bands per show was about the max. Now it’s pretty common for club shows to have 5 bands or more and they cut everyone’s set times down. A lot of the time it becomes a situation of “do we want to move our gear to play for 30-45 minutes for not much pay” And when you split the door between 5 bands there’s there’s not much money to go around. Most of the cover gigs around here are actually restaurant patio gigs. Some of my favorite shows have been stuff like that. I think part of it is that a lot of people my age (I’m 38 now) are getting past that point where they don’t drink much and don’t like the bar environment, some of it is people would rather go to a house party where they can smoke cigarettes or weed(which is still illegal here) But yeah house parties are a big deal out here in the country. I imagine it’s very different in big cities just because you wouldn’t be able to get through a set without the cops showing up. But out in the country outside of major city limits unless there’s something else that gets out of hand like a fight or something the cops leave everyone alone. And none of the guerrilla style gigs I’ve played like that have ever had any problems. It’s mainly high school kids having parties where kids can’t handle the alcohol or they are doing heavy drugs where the violence happens.
Really my only complaint about those style shows is the PA situation and acoustics of the rooms. Dedicated Live music venues usually have better PA. But my band is adjusting with the times. A big help was that our singer has a decent PA system.
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Yes it reminds me of a trucker friend who would drop of a load in another state and advertise that he was headed back to point A and did anyone need a load of something dropped along the way. Put some extra loot in his pocket. Had to drive back anyway, might as well drive with a full truck.
Oh my word, here in So. Cal, yes they are. Just in the punk and 3rd wave ska genres, my son can pick between 5-10 house concerts promoted on social media on any given night. 10-20 if you include semi-legit warehouse and pop up club shows.
Former girlfriend of mine (folk music) started doing this way back in 2005. It's been around a while. Acoustic music, it works pretty much anywhere and you'll get at least as many paying customers as any small club. And you'll keep a lot more of their money in the bargain.
