House Concerts House concerts are a fantastic & fun way to hear live music !
The basic concept: Someone loves an artist’s music. That someone (the host) asks that artist (usually professional, traveling musicians) to play a concert in their living room for their friends, family, and/or community members, and sends out invitations. Everyone who attends pitches in (donates) to pay the artist. The event often includes the sharing of food and drink.
What’s great about it: It’s an intimate listening atmosphere – which allows the real magic of music to unfold. There are stories, laughter, and truly transcendent musical moments. You get to gather with your friends and/or meet new people while joining in a unique experience. Often the sharing of yummy food and drinks is a part of the evening, too. And you get to meet the musician(s), and really talk to them! It’s comfortable and relaxing.
About the donation: When you add your donation to the kitty at a house concert, you are paying an accomplished, professional musician directly for the evening’s entertainment. In contrast, commercial venues usually require larger audiences or expensive tickets to pay artists, which often excludes lesser-known talents from even getting a chance to perform. Fortunately, a house concert can pay an artist respectably via a room full of just 20 or 30 music lovers. It’s a less expensive higher-quality evening out for attendees, and the artist gets paid a living wage. Everybody wins! (Note: No one will be turned away for inability to pay what is suggested.)
What you can expect at a Michelle Lockey house concert: a relaxing, intimate evening of artful songs, acoustic guitar, ukulele and piano, Indie Folk, and alternative musical styles, with stories accompanying each song. I will tell my journey on how I overcame obstacles & self doubt to get to where I am today.
Resources for Hosts: Below is a great article for hosts and potential hosts I think his article below is a good, non-intimidating description which should encourage you to host someone like me, or other musicians you like.
Here’s the link to article on hosting house concerts.
Here’s a link to some example house concert invitations.
Here’s a link to Concerts In Your Home – which has a lot more info if you really want to delve in.
If you’ve never been to a house concert before, I urge you to try it out. If you can’t make it to one of mine, please keep your eye out for another opportunity. It’s a very special experience…
Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you!
-Michelle