House Concerts
Have you ever thought about turning your living room, backyard, or barn into a space for songs and stories? That’s the heart of a house concert: an evening of connection, where songs are meant to be consumed close to home.
As a folk/Americana songwriter, I see these gatherings as part of a much older tradition. For generations, folk music has thrived in kitchens, barns, grange halls, and living rooms — places where people came together to share stories, laugh, and lean on one another. Utah Phillips often reminded us that folk music isn’t about stars or stages; it’s about community. That spirit is what I try to carry into every house concert.
In a world full of noise, a house show offers the rare chance to be fully present with songs, stories, and each other.
If you’d like to host, there’s a form below to get started, or you can simply email me at travisehrenstrom@gmail.com if forms aren’t your thing.
New to house concerts? I’ve put together a short overview of the who/what/where/when/why/how below. I’d love to share music with you and your community.
Host A House Concert
What Is a House Concert?
In a house concert, the host (that’s you!) welcomes an independent musician (me) into their home to share songs and stories with friends, family, and neighbors. For one night, your living room, backyard, or whatever you can imagine becomes a stage.
Unlike a bar or club gig, a house concert is intentionally focused. Every song has space to breathe, and every listener is part of the moment.
House concerts are flexible by nature. Maybe it’s 10 people in a cozy apartment, or 40 gathered under string lights in your backyard. What matters isn’t the size, it’s the spirit. I shape the show to fit your space. The night can be fully unplugged in a small room, or with a little sound system if the crowd is larger or outdoors. The vibe stays the same: relaxed, welcoming, and all about community, storytelling, and the kind of live music that has maybe become a bit of a time capsule.
Why Host a House Concert?
Hosting or attending a house show can be a truly special way to enjoy live music. Here are a few reasons people love house concerts:
Intimate experience: You and your guests get to enjoy a private, up-close performance. It’s a chance to hear the songs and the stories behind them in a setting where every note and lyric comes through clearly. No two house concerts are the same, but they’re always personal and memorable.
Connect with your community: It’s a great reason to bring together friends, family, and neighbors for a night of music and camaraderie. The atmosphere is relaxed and communal.
All about the music: House concerts are true listening events. Unlike a public venue where people might be talking over the music, here the focus is on the songs. Your guests can really immerse themselves in the songs. (Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to chat and socialize before and after the music!)
Easy and flexible hosting: You set the vibe. It can be as casual or as festive as you want, it’s totally up to you! There’s no formal stage or big production needed. Think of it as inviting people over for a relaxed evening that just happens to include a live concert. Plus, hosting at home has its perks like comfy seating, no cover charges, and even free parking for your friends!
Support independent music directly: By hosting, you’re actively supporting working independent artist in a grassroots way. All contributions from your event go straight to the musician (no venue middleman). House concerts help artists like me make a living doing what we love, and they help keep the live music tradition alive and thriving in communities. You’re not just throwing a unique party – you’re patroning the arts and building a meaningful experience for everyone involved.
How It Works (Planning Your House Show)
Hosting a house concert is easier than you might think. Here’s how to get the ball rolling:
Reach out and pick a date: Contact me via the form below (or email) and let me know you’re interested. We’ll work together to find a concert date that fits both our schedules. If you have a particular month or a few possible dates in mind, let me know. I’m based in Central Oregon with a Pacific Northwest focus, but no matter where you are, don’t be afraid to ask. I can often plan house shows in different areas by grouping them with other tour dates. (If I’ll be traveling a long distance to reach you, we’ll discuss any travel needs or additional shows to make the trip workable .) The sooner we start the conversation, the better, as my calendar can fill up quickly!
Invite your guests: Once we have a date, it’s time for you to spread the word to your friends, family, neighbors – whomever you want to share this experience with. Aim for around 20-30 guests if you can, which tends to create a nice atmosphere , but don’t worry if your space is small, even 10-15 attentive listeners can make for an amazing night. You might invite people via an email, text, or a private Facebook event. (If you need help, I’m happy to provide a sample invite email or even a promo graphic to help you get folks excited.) Encourage your guests to commit to the date and RSVP, since a committed audience makes the event run smoothly.
Prepare your space: Don’t stress, you don’t need a fancy stage to host a concert. Just choose a comfortable area in your home (living room, basement, back porch, etc.) where the performance will happen. Make sure there’s room for everyone to sit or stand comfortably with a good view of the performance area. This might involve moving some furniture or gathering some chairs and cushions so that all guests can face the performing area. Cozy is good! If you think your living room is a bit small, we can get creative with the setup. All I need is access to a normal electrical outlet for my small sound setup (if we use one). I will bring all the sound gear needed, unless it’s such a tiny group that we decide to play totally unplugged. The key is to make guests feel comfortable and excited for a unique evening.
Enjoy the show!: With the date set, guests invited, and space prepared, you’re pretty much done planning. I’ll take it from here when it comes to the music. On the day of the concert, I’ll stay in touch about arrival time (typically I’ll get to your place about an hour or two before showtime to set up and soundcheck ). Then you and your guests just relax, get comfortable, and enjoy the night. (See “What to Expect on Concert Day” below for a rundown of how the event usually unfolds.)
Throughout the planning, I’m here to answer questions and help make it as easy as possible for you. It’s a team effort!
What to Expect on Concert Day
Every house concert is a little different, but here’s a typical flow for the evening so you know what to expect:
Setup (Pre-show): I will arrive before the concert start time (usually about 1–2 hours early) to meet you and get everything set up. This involves a quick load-in of my gear (if needed) and arranging the performance area. My setup is simple and won’t take much space. Typical setup is just me, my guitar, and a small amp/PA if we’re using one. I’ll do a brief soundcheck to ensure the sound is just right for your room. If you have any last-minute questions or adjustments (lighting, seating, etc.), we can sort those out together. Meanwhile, you can get your refreshments or seating finalized while we gear up for the show. I’m also to help with any last minute venue arranging.
Guest Arrival & Mingling: Feel free to invite your guests to arrive about 30 minutes to an hour before the music is set to start. This gives people time to arrive, grab a drink or snacks, and socialize a bit before the concert begins. Once everyone has settled in and had a chance to say hello, you can gently let them know the music is about to start. Some hosts like to make a short introduction – totally optional, but you’re welcome to introduce me to your friends or share why you wanted to host this concert.
Showtime (Performance): Now the magic happens! I’ll perform a live acoustic set of my original music, just for you and your guests. A typical house concert performance can run anywhere from around 60 minutes to 90 minutes of music. I often split a 90 minute show into two sets with a short break in between, depending on what we decide and what fits the mood. We can play it by ear (no pun intended) – sometimes a single intimate set is perfect, and other times a brief intermission for refreshments can be nice. The beauty of a house show is how interactive it can be, people feel comfortable asking questions or making requests if the moment strikes. (And if there are particular songs you’d love to hear, let me know in advance, I’m happy to take some requests to make the night extra personal.)
Post-Show Hangout: One of my favorite parts of house concerts is the after-show mingling. I love to chat with attendees, answer any questions about the songs, and just get to know everyone a bit. It’s that personal connection that makes this experience so unique. Feel free to open up the floor for conversation or Q&A; sometimes guests are curious about my songwriting process or experiences on the road, I’m happy to share! This is also a great time for guests to take any photos, and if I have brought merchandise (like CDs, vinyl, or t-shirts), I’ll have those available in case anyone wants a souvenir or to support my music further. There’s zero pressure to buy anything, but I mention it because many people do appreciate the chance to grab a signed album. Typically, I’ll hang out for a while after the set, and your guests are welcome to linger as long as you’d like. The night often turns into a relaxed gathering, folks chatting about the music and enjoying each other’s company.
(If the vibe is right, some hosts like to cap off the night by having a group sing-along to a favorite song or two. I’m always down for a good sing-along or an encore if the crowd wants one!)
What Does It Cost? (Flexible Pricing & Support)
Let’s talk about the logistics of compensation, because I know hosting a concert can bring up the question of money. The good news is, house concerts are usually very flexible and affordable, and we will find an arrangement that you’re comfortable with. My primary goal is to share music and connect with your community, not to put anyone out financially. Here’s how it typically works:
Donation-Based Shows: In many house concerts, there is a suggested donation for each guest rather than a fixed ticket price. For example, hosts often suggest something like $10–20 per person as a contribution for the evening. It’s polite to set an expectation with your guests beforehand (in the invite or when they arrive) that this donation will support the artist. On the night of the show, you can simply put out a tip jar or basket at the door for guests to drop their contributions. Every bit helps, and all funds collected go directly toward supporting my music and travels . This way, there’s no upfront cost to you as the host, the audience collectively compensates the artist, much like buying a ticket to a show, but in a more casual, trust-based way.
Guaranteed or Private Shows: Alternatively, some hosts prefer to pay a flat fee to book the house concert, especially if they want to treat their guests to a free evening of music (for example, for a special celebration or private party). In this case, we would agree on a rate ahead of time and you, the host, cover that amount yourself instead of asking guests to chip in . The fee would take into account the performance and any travel expenses if applicable. I strive to keep this reasonable – I truly have a modest goal for each show, just enough to make the travel and time worthwhile . If you’re considering this option, we can discuss a number that works for both of us.
Hybrid approaches: There’s also the possibility of a hybrid (for example, maybe you guarantee a small base amount and also allow donations, or you match what comes in the tip jar if it’s below a certain amount). I’m open to creative solutions, the bottom line is I’m flexible, and I want the concert to work for you. We can chat and decide on the approach that feels right given your situation.
Above all, please do not let cost concerns stop you from reaching out about a house show. I’m passionate about sharing music and community and am willing to work with a variety of budgets. If you have the enthusiasm to host, chances are we can figure something out. House concerts are truly a labor of love for me – they’re as much about building community and sharing an experience as they are about income.
For transparency, when we do a donation-based show, 100% of those donations go to me (the artist) to cover my travel, time, and livelihood. By hosting, you are directly supporting an independent musician in a very tangible way, and I deeply appreciate that.
In summary: We’ll find a payment arrangement that’s fair and comfortable. Whether it’s passing the hat for donations or agreeing on a flat rate, I’m happy to “talk money” openly and flexibly so that both of us feel good about it. The experience of a house concert is priceless, and I never want finances to be a barrier for us to create that experience together.
Ready to Host a Concert? (Next Steps)
If all of this sounds exciting to you, let’s make it happen! I truly appreciate you even considering opening up your home for a show – house concert hosts are the heroes who keep the music alive in a very real way. Bringing people together for live music is something special, and it happens because of gracious folks like you.
Ready to take the next step? Just fill out the House Concert Booking Request form above to get started. Once you send your info, I’ll get in touch ASAP so we can chat about the details and officially schedule a date . (If you prefer, you can also reach out to me directly via email or phone, but the form is a great way to give me all the key details I need to get the ball rolling.)
I’m looking forward to working with you to create an amazing house concert experience. Thank you for your interest and support – I can’t wait to play music for you and your friends in your own space!