Get your very own Bottleneck John House Concert!!
WHY HOUSE CONCERTS..?!
House concerts can play an important role in the touring artist's life. There are some geographic areas where it is hard to find a venue to perform. There are times when the artist's travel plans take them through an area with lots of friends and fans, but not on a Friday or Saturday when most venues present music. And there are some groups of people who would like to hear the artist away from the clatter of a crowded, noisy pub or festival environment. The house concert is a great answer to all of these situations.
Lots of good things come out of a house concert. For the performer, it's a chance to do his/her thing in a friendly "listening environment" and keep on touring. For the audience, it's a chance to get a little closer to the performer and the songs.
HOW TO PUT ON THE PERFECT HOUSE CONCERT. They are dirt simple to organize, cheap to produce and virtually fail-safe. You are pretty much guaranteed a packed house, a convivial atmosphere and, for the performer, a decent wage. The key to success is this: a house concert is a gathering of friends; only secondarily is it a show for the general public. When you invite friends to a party, 30 or even more will come, right?
GETTING PEOPLE OUT. Although the house concert host will tell his/her e-mail list about the event, the "public" doesn't usually come to house concerts. The newspapers usually don't run information about house concerts, posters only work in specific cases, etc. The attendance basically depends on the host.
PROMOTION. Promote the event in the same personal way you would any celebration/event you have decided to host at your home. Whether you phone people or send written invitations, the personal contact is crucial. If you want to advertise (whether by a poster at the office, a note in a newsletter, or an announcement in the press) that is grand, and the resulting extra sales are a bonus; but the friends you invite yourself must fill most of the seats. DO REMEMBER THAT IT IS A CONCERT AND, THEREFORE, A LISTENING EVENT!
Most performers have
friends and fans most everywhere. Just spread the word! *Performers
can provide promo material, including graphics, poster
art and a write-up the sponsor can send out or draw on.
ACCOMMODATION. Remember that the performer is on tour and appreciates the offer of accommodation to help avoid the cost of a hotel while on the road. It could be your home or someone you know who would be willing to offer theirs. A meal is always a nice touch and provides a social opportunity for you to get to know the human side of the performer.
AND FINALLY... House Concerts build strong friendships between musicians, presenters, and listeners. Most importantly, House Concerts provide the most intimate and compelling performance environment available. They are as different as the personality and inclinations of the host. Here's your chance to shine!
Yes, I would like to host a House Concert with Bottleneck John!!
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