Southport Magazine

A modern music venue on the rise
Story by Mike Yeley
In days of old, people would gather to hear troubadours sing songs of the times and play their instruments as they roamed throughout the countryside. In more recent times, families and friends would gather on the front porch, the parlor or the living room and share music they performed themselves.

Today, the music scene is a whole different kettle of fish. Ipods, phones and downloaded and steaming music from iTunes, Spotify and more have become the music source at home. At nightclubs, DJ’s have supplanted many of the venue where live bands and musicians used to play. The concert scene, for those big touring performers, is often out of reach financially and geographically for most admiring fans.
For local music, often all that’s left is the local bar scene, where if one wants to hear music, they typically must compete with bar noise, multiple big-screen TV’s blaring some obscure soccer game, and men and women desperately looking to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. Definitely not the place for someone looking for a meaningful or relaxing music experience. And while outdoor summer concerts are a great and glorious thing, sometimes too much sun, bugs or bad weather make them impossible to sit through pleasantly. Plus, they disappear as the weather turns cold.
So, What’s A House Concert?
House concerts are an exciting new phenomenon in which musicians perform in private living rooms for a small but attentive paying audience. They’re fun, personal and for the audience, a marvelous alternative to another night of sitcoms on tv. And they can take place all year ‘round.
Typically numbering 20-30 audience members, house concerts have skyrocketed in popularity over the past ten years. The most often cited reason is because of the intimate connection between the artist and the audience that just doesn’t happen in a bar, club, outdoors or in big concert hall. This entertainment win/win result is a memorable and enjoyable night out for everyone involved, including the artist.
How Does A House Concert Work?
Once a date is set with the artist, usually at least 30 days out, the host hand-picks and invites the audience: friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. Seating is usually folding chairs set up in the living room, either borrowed or brought by the audience members themselves. There’s some socializing time before, the level of refreshments is optional, then the concert begins typically at 7 or 8 p.m. Folks are usually done and out the door by 9:30, taking their chairs and their memories with them.
House concerts are donation-supported and all donations go to the artist. A typical donation is in the $10 to $20 range and passing that donation jar, usually at intermission, is part of the fun. The host provides the venue only, undergoing very little in the way of costs while garnering massive status points as the neighborhood cultural leader and trendsetter! If you’ve never experienced a house concert, you’re in for a musical treat.
Author note: Mike Yeley is a modern day traveling troubadour, now based in Brunswick County. If you’d to explore a house concert, the website is www.mikeshouseconcerts.com..