{"id":2140,"date":"2015-01-09T15:26:57","date_gmt":"2015-01-09T15:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/?p=2140"},"modified":"2026-04-11T11:03:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:03:55","slug":"performing-at-house-concerts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/performing-at-house-concerts\/","title":{"rendered":"Performing at house concerts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last updated: April 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a house concert?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A house concert is a live music performance hosted in somebody\u2019s private home, usually in the living room. Audiences are typically 20 to 50 people, the atmosphere is acoustic and intimate, and the performer is paid through a mix of a guaranteed fee and a “passing the hat” collection. They\u2019re especially popular in the folk, acoustic, singer-songwriter and vocalist<\/a> and jazz scenes, and are sometimes called “house shows”, “house gigs” or “living room concerts”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A house concert is exactly what it sounds like; a gig in somebody\u2019s home. Popular among folk singers<\/a> and acoustic musicians<\/a>, house concerts offer an opportunity for lesser known musicians to play intimate, unique gigs for existing fans and often their friends. They also offer a great opportunity for covers acts to pick up extra, unusual gigs!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’ve played lots of house gigs, or are just venturing out in researching the concept, in this blog we will examine how to go about getting house concerts, and what the advantages are.m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use social media<\/b> to find suitable hosts<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Musicians looking to play original music at house concerts should use social media to their advantage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have an established social medial presence, by reaching out to your fans and giving them an opportunity to host a gig in their own living room, you are breaking down the barrier between the musician and the audience. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A house show allows fans to get involved in the show\u2019s creation and, thanks to its unique characteristics, will likely mean that fans will post about the gig on social media, inviting their friends and ensuring that the gig is a success. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also several websites and Facebook communities that are dedicated to putting artists in touch with regular house concert hosts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about using Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> as a musician!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Covers acts can also market themselves as being able to play house concerts, if they have a set up that’s flexible enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Minute Musician <\/a>Kit Packham, who plays Saxophone in One Jump Ahead says, <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I’ve done a few house concerts. A sax\/vocal & piano duo at a house in Blackheath and 2 parties for the same group of friends at a house in Bosham near Chichester. I also played with a doo-wop rock’n’roll band at a house party in Holland, way back around 1980 and am still in touch with the sisters who organised it!<\/span><\/p>\nKit Packham<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Platforms for booking house concerts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond social media, a handful of dedicated platforms now connect touring musicians with house concert hosts around the world. Sofar Sounds<\/a> runs secret, pop-up gigs in living rooms and unusual spaces across the UK, US, Europe and beyond, with artists applying through the site and being booked by local city teams. Side Door<\/a> is a booking and ticketing platform that lets artists create a free profile and connect directly with hosts in the UK, Europe and North America, taking a small cut of ticket revenue. Concerts In Your Home<\/a> is a longer-running US-focused network built specifically around the folk and acoustic house concert scene. Joining one or more of these, alongside your own social channels, can open doors to rooms you would never find through cold outreach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do house concerts pay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fees vary widely, but in the UK most house concerts land somewhere between \u00a3150 and \u00a3400 for a solo performer or duo, with bigger acts and experienced touring artists commanding more. On top of that, it\u2019s common to agree on a guaranteed minimum, then add a “passing the hat” collection from guests and, in some cases, a share of CD and merch sales. Selling \u00a3100 to \u00a3200 of merch at an engaged house concert is very achievable. Most hosts will also throw in dinner before the show and a spare bed for the night, which keeps costs on tour down dramatically. For more on pricing your time, see our guide to getting well paid gigs<\/a>. Fees quoted here are indicative guides only. Always agree specifics directly with the host before the date.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touring on a budget<\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many folk musicians choose to perform at house concerts over a traditional venue. This is not only because the folk scene lends itself to such intimate settings, but also because house concerts are likely to also offer the artist sleeping arrangements, food and a suitable fee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also not uncommon for a donations bucket or hat to go round at a house concert on top of an already agreed fee.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those touring on a budget, the logistics of organising somewhere to sleep and healthy food to eat can be extremely difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A house concert will usually offer all of these, provided by a genuine admirer of a musician\u2019s craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Madden, who organises house concerts in Cheltenham says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s very important that musicians are treated well. \u201cWe do guarantees for all the acts – usually two to three. Plus dinner before the show and overnight stay if they’re travelling from far away<\/span><\/p>\nJohn Madden<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\t\tVotes 28<\/b><\/span>

Would you be prepared to perform at a strangers house concert?<\/strong><\/h3>