A house show is private concert for you and your people. It usually takes place in a home, backyard, or unique event space.

A house show host is typically someone who has found value in the songs and wants to create space for them to be shared. 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, concert begins

8:10pm - concert 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 depends on location, but most shows fall between $1,800-$3,000. Once we learn the particulars of your event, we’ll reach back out with an estimate.

Some hosts cover the fee themselves and invite guests to enjoy the evening with no ticket price/suggested donation.

If that’s not feasible, here are some other creative ways to make a show happen!

• Co-host with friends - gather your fellow song and hospitality enthusiasts, pool resources, and host a show with a group of friends

• 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.)

• Partner with a local church/business - some churches/businesses have a designated budget for special events and just need a good idea/point person. Your event planning + their sponsorship = a show!

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