Intimate living room house concert — performer on stage with a candlelit audience

♪ Your House Concert Community

Your Home. Your Stage. Your Concert.

Bring world-class independent music into your living room — a checklist for stress-free House Concerts in your area.

How to Host ♪ ⬇ Download Hosting Instructions
What Is a House Concert?

The World's Most Intimate Stage

Have you ever dreamed of having your favorite independent artist perform a private concert just for you and your guests? You can have a wonderful gathering, perfect sound, and world class music in your very own home or community center. Musicians have made their living this way for thousands of years, and the tradition is enjoying a renaissance because of people like you.

Acoustic guitarist performing in a warmly lit living room for a small intimate audience

A House Concert is a private party employing live original music, held in a private home, civic center, church, or other space under your exclusive control. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose.

For You

Hey Homeowner

  • Treat your friends to great music in a clean, friendly environment — free from smoke or noisy intrusions.
  • Skip the pricey bar tab and dinner bill altogether.
  • The whole evening can cost just $10 and a covered dish.
For Performers

Hey Musician

  • Perform where ALL the people are there just to hear you.
  • Play your original music freely — no club owner vetoing the setlist.
  • No 20% booking agent fee. Sell more CDs.

This is starting to sound like a match made in heaven.

Step-by-Step Guide

How It Works

Six straightforward steps take you from idea to encore.

If you don't already know the artist personally, do a little sleuthing. Many performers have a webpage at <theirname>.com. If that doesn't work, search their name in "quotation marks" on Google and add the terms home page and songwriter. Their page will have a contact link. You can approach them by email, but a phone call always makes a better introduction.

A performer singing at a microphone before an intimate audience in warm candlelit lighting
Step 1

Locate Your Act

If you don't already know the artist personally, do a little sleuthing. Many performers have a webpage at <theirname>.com. If that doesn't work, search their name in "quotation marks" on Google and add the terms home page and songwriter. Their page will have a contact link. You can approach them by email, but a phone call always makes a better introduction.

Ask what they'd expect to earn. Some artists accept door revenue; for a private party, offer a guarantee. Divide the total by expected guest count to set the cover charge. Let them know you'll help sell CDs. Mention it's a respectful listening environment — and offer your guest room if they're travelling.

A four-piece band performing together in an intimate indoor setting
Step 2

Make the Call

Ask what they'd expect to earn. Some artists accept door revenue; for a private party, offer a guarantee. Divide the total by expected guest count to set the cover charge. Let them know you'll help sell CDs. Mention it's a respectful listening environment — and offer your guest room if they're travelling.

Check their touring calendar for when they'll be in your area. Consider afternoons before an existing local show. Look for a birthday, retirement, or anniversary as an excuse to celebrate. Allow travel time to their next destination. Once agreed, offer them a contract (download here) — it protects everyone.

A vintage hand-lettered evening concert invitation card
Step 3

Select a Date

Check their touring calendar for when they'll be in your area. Consider afternoons before an existing local show. Look for a birthday, retirement, or anniversary as an excuse to celebrate. Allow travel time to their next destination. Once agreed, offer them a contract (download here) — it protects everyone.

Download the artist's photos and music samples to build a flyer or event page. Email works well for private events. For public concerts, pursue web posting and local advertising. Share music samples so guests know what to expect. You don't want an empty house!

Guests relaxing in lawn chairs at an outdoor house concert
Step 4

Promote Your Concert

Download the artist's photos and music samples to build a flyer or event page. Email works well for private events. For public concerts, pursue web posting and local advertising. Share music samples so guests know what to expect. You don't want an empty house!

On the day of the show: confirm fridge space for the artist, adequate seating with good sightlines, and a volunteer greeter to collect the cover charge. Mow the lawn. Check stage-area lighting. Provide a dedicated space for CD sales and a private area for the artist to prepare. Arrange an outdoor smoking area if needed.

Three musicians playing guitars and percussion in a sunny backyard garden
Step 5

Prepare Your Venue

On the day of the show: confirm fridge space for the artist, adequate seating with good sightlines, and a volunteer greeter to collect the cover charge. Mow the lawn. Check stage-area lighting. Provide a dedicated space for CD sales and a private area for the artist to prepare. Arrange an outdoor smoking area if needed.

The start time on your invitation is a suggestion — starting a few minutes late to let seats fill is fine. Your opening remarks should include: a warm welcome, location of fire exits and the bathroom, a request to silence cell phones (electronic emissions bleed into speakers), and a brief artist introduction. Now sit back and enjoy your House Concert!

A relaxed crowd of music lovers enjoying a summer outdoor house concert
Step 6

Start the Show!

The start time on your invitation is a suggestion — starting a few minutes late to let seats fill is fine. Your opening remarks should include: a warm welcome, location of fire exits and the bathroom, a request to silence cell phones (electronic emissions bleed into speakers), and a brief artist introduction. Now sit back and enjoy your House Concert!

Practical Info

Costs & Logistics

Everything you need to know before the first note is played.

Logistics

  • Refreshments can be pot-luck or host-provided. Alcohol and tobacco rules are entirely your call.
  • Offering the artist a room for the night is customary but not required. If they accept, you'll probably get a few songs over breakfast.
  • A stage isn't required, and PA systems are very compact — or sometimes not needed at all.
  • Payment: pass the hat or pay directly. Most audiences are not put off by this gentle request at all.

Typical Fees

  • Solo or duo act: expect $300 and up.
  • Strong regional touring act: $700.
  • National acts can be had for as little as $1,200.
  • All fees are fully negotiable and entirely under your control — that's the beauty of it. The artists will appreciate a space to vend their merchandise.