Of course everyone’s searching and hunting for the latest nighttime hotspots, attempting to pluck the ripest of the bunch when setting up tours and attempting to maximize their potential. These can be incredibly difficult to book, depending on who you’re connected with and the numbers your band or act is currently capable of drawing. While some clubs might not be readily available, a growing and readily available venue is closer than some might initially think. Playing cozy, small shows or concerts in someone’s home, deck, or basement can be far more productive than it sounds, especially while trying to fill and off day for a tour or weekend of performances.
Instead of a loud, dimly lit club filled with drunken fans that could care less about watching some band they’ve never heard of, intimate house shows usually draw in people specifically there to see a certain band. Typical problems with tasks such as promotion, sound check, gear set up, or load in are rather limited, as you won’t be dealing with club promoters, security guards, tickets, or any of the other nonsense associated with larger performances. This allows you to focus even more on the upcoming gig while promoting yourself and networking with everyone in the room.
Smaller size can also work to your advantage, and instead of worrying about the audience statistics or ticket sales, you can pour all of your attention and energy into a more concentrated area. House performances usually don’t allow much room for escape, as everyone in attendance will be held in tight, without all the distractions of a typical club or bar. Instead of hundreds of people hanging around, talking, drinking, or ducking out for a smoke, they’re all congregated around you, ready to for their ears to be delighted.
If it’s money you’re concerned about, there’s still some lucrative financial gain to be found at these tinier performances through merchandise or album sales. By connecting with first time listeners or long time followers on a more personal level, it’s far more likely for them to become inclined to purchase something, wanting a keepsake or method for reliving what they just experienced. People who enjoyed the music will tell their friends, which can also benefit your online presence and sales, allowing your work to reach even further. Of course, let’s not absent mindedly forget about the performance fee either, which is probably what originally caught your attention in the first place. Between a flat payment for the gig and the additional income from record sales, this should make the night fairly productive for everyone.
House shows become ever more relevant while trying to fill in an empty date, which otherwise might be spent wandering around a city you’re unfamiliar with or getting lost on another interstate highway. You might not be able to command a specific fee, but requesting a portion of the entrance fee or tips can at least keep the adventure going. Some bands might even be willing to play simply for gas money, requiring the bare minimum to just somehow make it to their next destination and find more willing participants to experience their musical creations. Bands throughout the underground music scenes aren’t the only people using crowded basements filled with friendly faces to reach people, and the potential is there for everyone to utilize this method of promotion.
Ultimately, the house performance experience is about connecting and sharing an experience with music enthusiasts who are there to appreciate and enjoy your set. Obviously, not everyone will be breaking down your door to buy CDs and t-shirts, but given the clear cut positives over playing a larger club, these opportunities are certainly nothing to scoff at. Use social media to make contacts, keep fans posted on open dates which need filling, and it shouldn’t be too long before an opportunity presents itself. You’ll have the chance to impress people in a highly personal setting, which allows you to fortify your current fan base, while building it up with newcomers. Besides, isn’t that why you’re playing music in the first place?
