Gather Friends. Share Music. Build Community. Make Memories.

Wanna host a live concert right in your living room, backyard, clubhouse, church or barn? I absolutely love that idea.

If you haven’t been to a house concert before, don't let the name intimidate you. It’s simply an up-close-and-personal performance for an audience of your friends, family, and neighbors.

Instead of a noisy venue or a crowded bar, a house concert turns your space into an intimate listening room. It’s a lovely chance for us to gather and share music without the distraction of clinking glasses, televisions, or loud espresso machines. It feels much more like a great conversation among friends than a formal performance.

The Basics: What You Need

You don’t need to live in a mansion to host a memorable night, but because this is a core part of how I make a living on tour, we do need a solid team effort to make the night a success.

The Space:

If you have a living room, a finished basement, or a backyard that can comfortably hold 30 or more people once you move a few coffee tables and bring in some folding chairs, you have a venue! And don't worry if your living room feels a bit tight—I’ve also had folks host wonderful shows in local churches, neighborhood clubhouses, or creative community spaces like VFW Halls and Elks Clubs.

The Audience & Commitment:

To make a tour stop viable, I require a minimum of 30 guests. Because a tour schedule takes a lot of puzzle-piecing together, I look for hosts who can give a firm commitment to gathering their community and hitting that headcount! (Pro-tip: usually only about 25% of the people you invite can make it on any given night, so don't be shy about inviting everyone you know.)

The Sound:

I normally travel with a premium Bose L1 Pro16 system, which delivers incredibly rich, warm sound and takes up almost no space in your room. (I even have a second unit if we're dealing with an extra-large outdoor space or a barn!) We won't blast your neighbors out; we just want a crystal-clear balance so the people in the back row can hear the stories behind the songs perfectly. Note: If I’m flying in for your show and can't bring my full setup, I’m always happy to discuss simple alternative options with you!

The Merch & Meeting Spot:

After the music wraps up, my favorite part of the night is getting to hang out and chat with your guests! To make that happen, I’ll need a bit of dedicated space in a high-traffic area (like near the entrance or where people grab drinks) for my merchandise and mailing list. One large folding table or two medium-sized tables work perfectly. This will be our central hub where I can sign merchandise and say a proper thank you to everyone who came out.

The Vibe:

Most hosts make it a BYOB and potluck-style affair. Whether you want to put your favorite gourmet recipes to work or just put out a bag of pretzels and some sparkling water, keep it simple so you can enjoy the night, too. The food at these house concert pot-lucks is always out of this world! You can also host a dessert only concert. It's your concert and you can be totally creative with the vibe and theme!

The Financial Stuff & Legality

To keep things completely legal and ensure your home isn't treated or taxed like a commercial business, we do not sell tickets.

Instead, a house concert operates as a private, fan-attended fundraiser for the music. We look for a suggested donation of $25 to $35 per person—though these days, $30 usually works best.

100% of the donations go directly to the musician.

In an era where streaming services pay a fraction of a penny per spin, these intimate shows are what actually keep independent touring artists on the road. By opening your doors, you are becoming a modern-day Patron of the Arts!

We can set up a donation basket/jar at the door, or your guests can send their donations digitally via Venmo/PayPal ahead of time to lock in their seats. When guests book ahead, it greatly reduces the last minute "bail factor." It's helpful if the host gives me an introduction before I perform and reminds guests of the suggested donation.

What a Typical Night Looks Like

We can do a weekend or weeknight show (weeknights are amazing for filling gaps on a tour route!). A standard evening schedule is super relaxed:

7:00 PM | Doors Open: Guests arrive, grab a drink, find a seat, and mingle.

7:45 PM | Settle In: You say a quick hello to everyone, introduce me, and we start.

8:00 PM | Set One: 45 minutes of music, stories, and laughs.

8:45 PM | Intermission: A 20-minute break to stretch, refresh drinks, and chat.

9:05 PM | Set Two: 45 more minutes of music and a little Q&A.

9:50 PM | Wrap Up: The music finishes early so everyone can head home at a reasonable hour, and you get your house back!

(I can also play one longer set if you prefer).

Let’s Make It Happen!

You provide the space and the people, and I’ll handle the music and the storytelling. Together, we'll give your friends a night they'll be talking about for years to come.

Contact

Drop me a line if you have any questions or want to chat about it!

[email protected]

If you're ready to book, please drop my wonderful agent Laurel Falkenstein (at Silverleaf Booking) and she will get your concert on my tour calendar! I cover a good part of the UK, UK and EU on my travels and I'm sure we can make it work. Laurel will take great care of you:

[email protected]

If you'd like to learn even more about hosting a house concert, I've found these resources HERE, HERE and HERE to be quite helpful.