Do you already host a House Concert, love playing them, or simply want to attend? Then take out a member's page now.


What is a House Concert?

The hippest, most viable and rewarding venue option for folk/roots musicians today - and you can host one in your living room!
A house concert is a chance to experience music in a warm and intimate environment. It's when someone opens up their home and invites you into their living room to share in a performance by one of their favourite musicians. It's a chance to meet the performers and get them to sign their CD. A house concert is also a great social evening for friends and neighbours. Here are some hints and tips...

You Can Host A House Concert!

How do I do it?
It's simple, you just invite 25-35 (or more) friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, the postman and whoever else, to a concert at your home.

Round up all your chairs (patio furniture, etc.) and arrange them concert style. You may need to move stuff around a bit to make it work. You might need to borrow a few chairs from neighbours or have guests each bring one. Cosy is good, you don't use a PA unless the house is really big (70 folks or more).

I can't charge my friends money!

No problem! Although many house concerts have a door person to collect fees, some hosts are uncomfortable charging their friends, especially for a first concert, until they understand the process. For these folks we suggest they simply place a jar by the entrance with a visible sign that says:

SUGGESTED DONATION
£8 each/kids free
THANKS
(you and the artist set this together beforehand)
Most house concerts give all the proceeds to the artists, many guarantee a set fee when they get confident of selling all tickets, some take a percentage to help with expenses; it's your choice.

Maybe a mention of the donation concept during the welcome and introduction of the concert can serve as a reminder. This combination of tactics assures that everyone contributes to the 'jar' while keeping the host out of the money collecting responsibility.

What's in it for me?

A house concert is a unique and magical experience. Everyone walks away happy and it's a win/win situation. Your guests are thrilled to be part of a 'happening' and you look great for being a 'trendsetter' and bringing everyone together for such an exciting new experience.
There is little or no cost to you, unlike throwing a party. A pot of coffee and some munchies is sufficient, although some folks ask guests to bring goodies, food and drink.etc.

How long do artists play?

Artists normally play a 45 minute listening set (house concerts are not parties; folks really sit and listen - up close and personal) and then take a 15-20 minute break for socializing, selling CDs and refreshments. Then, one more 45 minute set and that's a wrap.

Where do I sign up?

If this sounds interesting to you, just open up a page here and I'll get in touch to help you get started, and help with putting you in touch with artists. You will see many artists advertising here who are touring, and I post up availability from agents who are hip enough to let me know about tours. Once you have your event confirmed, post an event here and House Concerts Europe will offer you an invitation template which you can send to your mailing list with RSVP. So please feel free to make enquires and engage your own artist and promote your own shows.

Please post our badge to your web pages, we encourage House Concert goers to get in touch with you here, to see if they can come to your next concert, but this is completly at your discretion.

Fancy doing a house concert but don't have a front room big enough?

Perhaps your local pub has a room that would work, or you have a long suffering friend who has a bigger house and loves music too.

I fall into both these categories. Ann and I have hosted house concerts here at the Medicine Maisonette. Nice as it is, it is just a tad too small for everyone's comfort, so we do ours at The Riverside Tavern in Conon. (Under the name of Monday Night Medicine Shows - it's good to put a name on them so people identify with your taste in music).

This has the bonus of helping your favourite hostelry or venue have another busy night. They can then be persuaded to contribute to the artist's purse too, as do all who attend. The artist cuts costs by staying with the host, and you get the chance for a one-to-one with someone whose music you admire. ie You get to ask what the chords are for a particular song, what tunings they might be using, what his/her favourite whiskey is and do they want another one? That sort of thing.

Another good tip is to try them out on Mondays and Tuesdays. These are hard days to fill for artists so you will be more likely to attract bigger names. If your pals are all into the odd social mid-week get-together, then some strategic net stocking and myspace/house concert hub spamming could very well attract your favourite artists to stop over at your place, instead of paying out for hotel accommodation. Your hospitality and friends' generosity will help balance the tour books and could help the artist stay in the black - it can be that close sometimes.

The House Concert Hub was founded by Rob Ellen of Medicine Music; Publicist, Promoter, Presenter. Here are some of the artists Medicine Music and Rob work with, and links to their music and our mailing list. Please consider joining, be first to know what's happening. All of our artists are confirmed House Concert fans and available for your consideration. Enjoy the site. You are very welcome to this community; all feedback is very much appreciated...Rob Ellen.

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