House Concert - Experience

Experience

Now unusual in the age of large concert arenas, a house concert is almost invariably described as an "intimate" experience. In "a small setting as a house concert, fills the air with her voice and with his guitar. You are surrounded by the music." It is "up close and personal."

A house concert is also a unique experience in the United States of 2010; one blogger at Wired magazine wrote:

I had never been to a house concert before, and wasn’t sure what to expect. We RSVP’d to the proper email address, got the address and printed out directions. Marian was nice enough to let us show up an hour early to chat and feed her dinner. We visited for a while, and then other people started showing up. We knew no one, but most people there were pretty friendly. There were almost two dozen people by the time the concert began. ... All of were better live than recorded. I have found that hearing music live gives you a whole new appreciation for the recorded versions. She would also add commentary and asides to many of the songs, which made them funnier and applicable to that particular concert.... At the break, people paid their money, bought her CDs, and generally gushed about the concert.... All in all, I would definitely go to a house concert again. Marian says she enjoys them the most, and I can see why. They bring people together for one night, often complete strangers, which can sometimes facilitate more lasting friendships. In addition, you get to hear live music and support the independent arts. Helping one person achieve success inspires others to take chances. Additionally, you can directly support the artist, instead of a venue taking a cut. I wish more musicians would do house concert tours. —Jenny Williams, blogger for Wired

At house concerts, "you don't have worry about whether you'll have a good seat since the show is literally in the living room of the home ... at ... trailside Court, New City." This comes with a duty to recall "that this is a house concert, so behave accordingly and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do in your own house, OK?"

People host house concerts because they "want to share great music," or they may live an a town where "there are too few venues where people can go to experience great music in a close and friendly environment." One may also wish to host a home concert because it makes one happy, or "to give exposure to some incredible musicians whose talents truly believe in and wish to help promote." A retired musician may be a host as "one way of reconnecting with that part of themselves."

Once they go to a house concert, and discover its charms, it is a great experience for children, whether for smaller "kids", or "18-year-olds". It is not for everyone:

Yet recently I played a house concert for a high school graduation party. The 18-year-olds sat in silence for two hours, and at the end bought my CD. This was just an average bunch of Vermont kids, hanging out, grooving to some music. I just want to sing, and if these kids are any indication, I have a sneaking suspicion that they just want to listen. —Myra Flynn, singer