Dan & Faith

As we are planning our tours, we contact friends and ask them if they’d be willing to host a house concert. Some of you may have hosted many concerts but others may be new to the concept, so we wanted to explain what it’s all about.

House Concerts are Concerts In Your Living Room or Back Yard

Or whatever room works for you.  Add some folding chairs or your dining room chairs to your living room or family room, leave a space up front for the performers, invite friends and enjoy great music in your home. Set up lawn chairs and folding chairs on the patio. Whatever makes for a welcoming environment.

What is a typical concert like?

Each house concert setup is unique. Some include a potluck dinner before or after the concert, while others simply offer tea or coffee, and others offer a potluck dessert during the break. The choice of whether to have any food involved is entirely up to the hosts.

Typically the artists play either one longer set or two shorter ones with a break in between for refreshments, conversation, CD sales and signing, etc. There’s typically time after the show for more socializing.

House concerts are considered private parties. Invite your friends and neighbors and enjoy an evening together. Your guests contribute a “requested donation” amount (typically $15 – $20).

In smaller rooms, a sound system may not be necessary, adding to the intimacy of the environment. If a PA makes sense in a room, most performers travel with a small setup that’ll work nicely, adding just enough reinforcement for everyone to hear.

What’s In It For The Hosts?

House concert hosts provide a space for great music to be shared in an intimate setting. It’s a chance to get together with friends and help out musicians who are on the road.

Most of all for the hosts it’s a chance to get to know the artists, or reconnect with them if you’re old friends.

What’s In it for the Artists?

As traveling musicians, we play in lots of different settings. One day it might be a coffee shop, another day a church, the next, a library. House concerts are special. We get to play for a listening audience. Whether that’s just a few folks or a packed room does not matter. It’s an opportunity to share songs with folks who listen. Since our songs tell stories, and we expand on the stories between songs, listening audiences are ideal for our kind of music.

Artists also sell albums and any other merchandise they may have to offer. It’s a nice way to take home something to remember the evening by, such as music to listen to later or give as a gift.

Many hosts offer overnight lodging to the artists when needed, and if they have the space available to do so. Some artists may be traveling in their own small camper or van, or have other local lodging available. We travel in a self-contained camper van and love the freedom it offers us as we tour. A level parking space is always welcome.

Don’t I need experience to host a concert?

No. If you’re willing to host, we’ll help you figure it all out. We hosted house concerts ourselves for many years.

If you’re willing to give it a try, we’re happy to help you through your first hosting experience. You may well get hooked on the idea and do it again! Some folks only host shows for a particular artist when they come through town, while others host shows frequently. It is fun and once you’ve worked out your way of doing it, the bit of work required is small, and the joy you help share is immeasurable.