Listening Lounge Home Concerts
No matter how many gigs I’ve played, the small cosy ones will always be my favourite and create long lasting memories! It’s so great to spend time with my audience on equal ground, no big stage separating us, maybe some food and drink and conversation (and of course music!).
how does the evening work?
Typically, I arrive a little early to get any amplification if it’s necessary set up (that I provide, don’t worry!) and settle in before guests arrive.
After some initial chatting and letting everyone settle in and feel comfortable in the space, I can begin my set. I can play up to 75 minutes total, but that’s also up to you (usually two sets of 30 minutes works well, with a short break in between for everyone to enjoy each others company!).
who do I invite?
Some of you may have music loving friends coming out of your ears, some of you might struggle to think of a group big enough to make this worthwhile! Typically at least 15 people is good to get the social/gig vibe right. You can even ask people to bring a cushion if you don’t have enough comfy seats for people.
You may want to extend your invitation to locals that you don’t perhaps know personally, but who you’d have a shared interest with. I’d happily put out a public post for you, or you could put a poster up in your local music-loving cafe or pub). It’s totally your call how public or private you’d like to keep it.
tempted?
House concerts can be adapted to most spaces, indoor or outdoors, and you wouldn’t need to provide any equipment. It’ll be a night to remember!
With everything here I am willing to talk through individual circumstances and find a way to make it work, so don’t stress if you can’t fulfil something like the accommodation or guests, please get in touch anyway.
cost?
The event is fuelled by donations based on the generosity of you and your guests. There are no upfront costs and during the performance the donations bucket is passed around. Guests who prefer to make electronic donations can do so by phone with a QR code or by card payment machine.
It’s also up to you whether you provide food and drinks for the evening or ask people to arrive already fed but maybe bring a bottle. Me? I just drink tea!
why host a home concert?
Live music brings people together, but usually at proper venues you wouldn’t speak to the other guests, and maybe only to the artist over the merch table at the end of the night.
Listening Lounge is an excuse to nurture relationships with existing or new friends through a shared experience, whilst creating memories and feeling damn cool for being the instigator for such a thing!
You’re also supporting independent artists and providing them with a supportive, respectful place to play in an industry that so often undervalues and speaks over musicians when they play live. You’ll be bringing a lot of joy to the artist, and for me it’s all about that personal connection and being able to give you and your guests my full attention.
Make yours the next Listening Lounge!