HOW TO PUT ON A HOUSE SHOW
posted in: Music News
The term house show typically refers to one of two scenarios. The first one is a house party favored by hardcore/punk/rock kids. Usually there’s a band in the living room or basement, a keg on the porch, a lot of noise, a lot of sweat and a lot of bodies passed out on the floor the next morning. The second scenario is a small gathering, almost a private listening party for an acoustic performance. This is the listening party we’re going to help you organize. Though the first type can be fun, there’s a lot less collateral damage and a lot more attention on your performance (generally speaking) with the second. Here’s how to make a successful house show happen:
¢ Pick the right performer. You’re going to want to choose a band or an artist whose music translates easily to a small acoustic setting. Decide if you want your show to be an introduction to an undiscovered talent or an exclusive listening party for a more widely-known act. If it’s the former, you can keep ticket prices on the low side. If it’s the latter, they may want a guarantee. So think about how many people you can probably get to attend in each case.
¢ Determine a good ticket price. If you think you can get 30 people to come, charge $10-$15 per ticket. There are a lot of performers who would be content to make $300-$400 for an acoustic show. If you’ve got a band or an artist with a big following, you can generally charge more and people will be happy to pay it.
¢ Consider your space. If you don’t think you can fit 15 people in your living room, you probably aren’t set up to host a house show. If you want to have the event take place outside, make sure you OK it with the neighbors first and have a contingency plan if it rains. Generally speaking, house shows usually have an audience of 30-50. Balance is key here. You want your event to feel intimate and special, but you also want it to feel well-attended. Whatever number you decide on, make sure everyone will be comfortable as they listen to the performance.
¢ Sell tickets. It’s important to get people to pay up front, so that when the actual performance day comes they’re less likely to cancel and leave you in your empty house making awkward small talk with a pissed-off musician. We suggest you print up tickets and keep them on you at all times so that if someone expresses interest you can strike while the iron is hot. (Not literally.)
¢ Get your place looking hella tight. If you’re not a great house keeper, you may want to consider hiring someone who is. Nobody wants to pay money to go sit in a dump. Make sure you’ve provided ample seating” couches, chairs or even pillows on the floor. Light some candles to create ambiance. Provide wine or beer and some light snacks. And, for the love of Pete, clean your bathroom!
¢ Collect emails. This one is self-explanatory. If your first house show is a success, people will want to come to the next. Duh.
