Every week we practice acoustically in one of our living rooms. We’ve long felt that this is how we sound best, with the acoustic tones blending naturally in the room. There is a musical intimacy in this setting that doesn’t always translate to the stage.
Meanwhile, some of our favorite performing experiences have been house concerts, where we are invited to perform in someone’s home for their guests. You, too, could have us perform in your home!
Whether you are having a gathering of family or friends, or would like to formally host a house concert, we would be happy to be your in-home entertainment. This type of experience can be highly memorable, and it can be surprisingly affordable!
Please contact us at info@everestrising.com (or using the contact form below) to discuss having us play in your home, and see below for more info about house concerts.
What is a house concert?
Think about a house concert as a concert in a living room (or garden, or backyard, etc.). It is not a party with background music, but rather a sit down ‘listening experience’ in your home. It’s a great format where audience and artist can mingle and enjoy a special evening together, perhaps with potluck finger food before and during intermission. It gives the audience a chance to get to know the artists better, see them interact in their natural habitat (hah hah), and get a ‘behind the scenes’ insight into their music and the art of performance.
Who attends a house concert?
Just like any party or event in one’s home, house concert attendees are typically friends of the host and invited by the host.
Why host a house concert?
- It’s a fantastic way to spend a memorable evening with friends!
- You will be supporting local music artists
- It is very easy to arrange
- You will be able to get to know the musicians – sort of like an “all evening backstage pass”
- It can be surprisingly affordable, especially if your guests pay a small donation towards the cost
How does it work?
It is all very simple, really.
- First, figure out which room or outdoor space would be the best setting for a concert in your home.
- Think about how many people will comfortably fit in that space. What are the seating arrangements? You’d be surprised how many people can fit in a living room if you arrange the chairs just so.
- Figure out who you would like to invite. Just close friends and family? Or perhaps open the invitation to members of your community (e.g., your neighborhood, your church, etc.)?
- Decide whether to ask attendees for a donation towards the cost.
- Decide whether to prepare finger foods yourself, or whether it will be potluck.
- Schedule with the band.
- Get the word out.
- Have fun!
Setup and Logistics
Our instruments are acoustic, and we tend to perform house concerts acoustically but with slight amplification for the vocals. We will let you know how much floor space we need. It’s that simple!
Are house concerts a new thing?
Did you know that house concerts were quite common in the past, before recordings were the primary format for listening to music? Mozart performed in house concerts. Lute performances were typically in intimate settings since this instrument was too quiet for large venues. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, secular music was often performed in a nobleman’s home and came to be called ‘chamber music.’