HOSt a HOUSe show

A house show is a private concert for you and your friends. It may even be the ideal way to experience a song. A song is a form of hospitality after all - a prepared emotional/spiritual space for the good of the listener. When you combine that with the physical hospitality of being in a home, it really is something special. Songs in real life. A one-of-a-kind house party + a meaningful shared experience with your friends and neighbors.

If you’d like to host a house show this year - or if you’re curious about what hosting could look like - you can fill out the form below and include any questions. We’ll follow up with next steps, and hopefully soon we’ll be in the same room sharing songs and stories. 🌻

FAQs

  • A house show is a one of a kind concert for you and your friends, usually in a private home, backyard, or event space. You pick your guest list, send out invites, and I’ll be there to provide songs, stories, and a meaningful shared experience for your community. The focus is on listening during the performance, and that time is usually preceded and followed by food and drink and conversation.

  • If you or a friend have access to sound equipment that is a bonus, but if not, Joel will gladly bring all the necessary gear for his performance. He just needs an electrical outlet and about 25 square feet of space. You would be responsible for your guests’ seating, and any food/beverages (or ask your guests to bring something, potluck or BYOB style). If the performance is outside you can ask your guests to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

  • The format can always change but the in the past it has worked to plan for a 2 and a half hour event. 30 minutes of socializing to start so people can settle in, then about 70 minutes of music, then more togertherness. The exact timing could change of course, but here’s a typical flow:

    4:00pm - Joel arrives for setup/soundcheck

    6:30pm - event starts, socializing

    7:00pm - introduction by the host, music starts

    8:10pm - music ends, more togetherness

  • Joel has played house shows for anywhere from 10 to 100 people, so whatever the capacity of your space is will do just fine! More people does mean more opportunity to share the cost of the show, so that is something to keep in mind. But really no group is too small!

  • The exact cost of a private house show depends on location, but most fall between $1,800–$3,000. Once we learn the particulars of your event, we’ll reach back out with an estimate. Hosts can cover the cost in a number of ways:

    • Cover the cost themselves - inviting guests to enjoy the evening with no ticket price/suggested donation

    • Co-host with friends - share the cost with fellow song enthusiasts

    • Invite guests to contribute - when sending invites, you can include information about a suggested donation/ticket price of about $20 per person. (When communicated clearly on the invite and mentioned again at the show, this can cover a good portion of the cost.)

    If budget is a constraint, or if hosts have other ideas for covering the cost, we are always happy to talk!