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!
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:
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.

"When I booked Jesse I knew we were going to hear some great music. But what I didn’t anticipate — and what really made the evening special — was the human being behind the music. Over 50+ shows, I have seldom seen a performer so quickly establish such an easy rapport with an audience. He was charming, funny, sincere, and utterly captivating. Two songs in, he had everyone in the palm of his hand. By the end of the evening, he had a room full of new Jesse Terry fans. Rave reviews across the board!"
(S. Chiasson)
"It was an honor to have Jesse at our house concert. He truly lived up to his well-deserved reputation as an exceptional musician, songwriter, and storyteller. Our music fans were thrilled with his astonishing performance. His personal stories were heartfelt, humorous and fully engaged the audience. There should be no hesitation with any concert hosts on booking Jesse. He was a kind and considerate house guest. We had some very interesting conversations over meals. It is no wonder that a grand prize winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest is in such great demand."
(E. Pettit)
"We had a wonderful musical afternoon with Jesse -- he's a terrific singer with strong material, and an immensely charming, likeable person and performer. A pleasure to deal with and to listen to. Thanks for playing for us, Jesse!"
(M. McLeod)
"Jesse is an entertaining performer with well written songs, strong guitar skills and relatable stories. Obviously a seasoned performer, this audience enjoyed the program and showed their pleasure through visits at the merch table. It was a truly magical night with the largest indoor crowd post pandemic."
(J. Braymen)
"Jesse is a very talented songwriter. Very nice mix of songs and a relaxed pacing of the show with great audience rapport. Response from guests was universally positive. Jesse has a fantastic voice that blends well with his guitar playing which is superb. He took time to meet with the audience before and after the show. The set up and soundcheck was quick and painless. He's an easy guest to host and kept us posted on traffic delays prior to arrival."
(L. Allen)
"Jesse Terry's performance was inspiring. His writing is on par with the best artists I know in Nashville, and his playing and singing is also very strong. He engages the audience as well as any performer we've had with his stories and wit. Jesse had serious car trouble in the days leading up to the event, and even had to leave his car and rent one to make the show on time! Such dedication is appreciated. He and his wife were wonderful house guests - we'd have them back any time."
(D. Smith)
"Jesse is a first class professional from the moment you interact with him until he leaves after the show. He was great with the audience and everyone loved his music and his stories about his songs. Would have him back absolutely any time."
(L. Plessala)
"Jesse was everything we expected and more. Easy going personality, superb musicianship, wonderfully entertaining between-song banter, beautiful songs both lyrically and vocally. My modest but savvy audience thoroughly enjoyed his performance, and we're delighted to welcome him to our Cozy Cabin music family."
(L. Bolton)
"Jesse and Jess (his wife) were a complete delight to host. The performance was EPIC! He's a real showman who brought a great mix of music and storytelling. Really something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, one of the most positive people you'll ever have the pleasure to meet."
(C. Dewick)
"Jesse was an absolute delight! He captivated the crowd with his wonderful stories. He also interacted with the audience in a very upbeat and humorous way. He even made my painting of Neil Diamond our new mascot with his witty comments and participation from the audience. He was warm and gracious and I would absolutely have him back again when we can work out a date. I love that he has such a busy schedule touring the country and the world, and look forward to his return to The Music Room!"
(C. Teichman)
"Jesse did a wonderful performance and really connected with the audience - everyone loved the music and the back stories about his songs and life on the road. He puts on a great show! He and his wife were very considerate and great at staying in touch throughout the process. We highly recommend seeing or hosting Jesse Terry!"
(H. Baker)
"Jesse was fabulous!! He weaved his stories into his music and created a night to remember. We will definitely schedule an encore show!!"
(E. Graham)
"Finally, we got our chance to host Jesse at the Little Courtyard! We have enjoyed him in other venues, and he and I have danced around trying to get a show arranged and finally, FINALLY, we made it happen, and OH, what a great night! It was worth the wait! Our guests had such a wonderful time while he "tried on" some of his newly written material. He is definitely the real deal, such a pro, but makes it seem effortless. Can't wait to see him again!!!!"
(B. Brogan)
"We had a great night with Jesse. Typical New England weather outside but that didnt stop Jesse or the guests. We had a full house!. Jesse was great. He was interactive with the audience. Came early and stayed late. Music and song selection was perfect. A great night was had by all. Super easy to work with. Highly recommend."
(J. Michienzi)
"We thoroughly enjoyed having Jesse perform for us. His songwriting is exemplary. His voice is amazing and his guitar playing is excellent. I can't recommend Jesse enough. Jesse and his family stayed with us so we got to meet his wife and daughter. We had breakfast together and had a chance to get to know them a little. They are wonderful people. If you are looking for a great evening of entertainment you need to contact Jesse and set a date for a show."
(G. Calmes)
"Excellent performance filled with a warm vibe and great melodies. Jesse's full bag of great songs will stick with you."
(F. Snyder)
"Jesse’s concert in my home was absolutely fabulous. He is an engaging musician with excellent virtuosity, meaningful original lyrics, a charming personality and the dearest smile. My friends and I were captivated and you will be , as well!"
(J. Eichenbaum)
"What an awesome show Jesse did at our house!!! He continues to amaze us and he did that for everyone in our audience. At one point during a song when he mentioned the moon, the clouds parted and the full moon appeared glaring down through the glass roof in our lanai...it was just amazing!What timing! We would have him back in a heartbeat!!He is a kind soul and a magical performer!"
(B. Lancaster)
"This was my second time hosting Jesse. It was even better than the first. The quality of his music is exceptionally high. Jesse is friendly and low-key and easy to work with."
(P. Schreiber)
"Jesse was simply amazing. Such a soul-filling experience from start to finish. On top of that, we adored his wife and daughter. Cannot recommend him enough! Our friends are already asking when he will be back! AND, they kept asking for just one more song!!"
(J. Jones)
"What a show! Jesse Terry gave a performance every host dreams about. It was Jesse’s first trip here to Lakeside Music and he made everyone feel as if we were all old friends. The perfect mix of covers and original music is sometimes tough to do but Jesse did them all beautifully. He had the audience captivated with his warm and heartfelt stories, introducing us all to music both insightful and musically unique. Preshow communication was easy—and fun. No host should ever pass up the chance to book this terrific artist."
(D. Goodband)