How To Get Booked For A House Concert (directions)

1. Check out our listing of House Concerts on the Indie Guide.

We have compiled some websites of house concert venues and directories of concert hosts. Check through these to find local concert venues and places across the country.

2. Look for house concert locations along your tour route.

If you are about to go on tour, look for places that are along your tour route. Booking additional house concerts will supplement your tour, get you some extra cash, and probably a place to crash for the night. It also provides a more intimate concert setting for your most dedicated fans to hear you.

3. Send CDs and press materials to house concert venues where you want to play.

When you find venues that fit your schedule, send out your press kits and CDs just like you would when booking at regular venues. Read the site carefully to see if the venue owners prefer paper or online press kits. Send them the dates that you will be in the area and available to play.

3. Follow up to see if you will be booked.

Established house concert venues receive a lot of requests from bands to play. It might take them awhile to get to your CD, so follow up to make sure they got all of your materials and to see if they will book you.

4. Agree upon how much money you will be paid.

Before finalizing plans, agree on how much money you will take at this house concert. Each house will have its own rules. Sometimes you will get a percent of what was collected at the door, sometimes it is a pre-determined amount. Also find out what each venue's rules are for selling your merchandise because they might want a cut of your sales.

5. Announce you are looking to book house concerts in your mailing list.

When you announce tour dates by mailing list, let your fans know that you want to play house concerts. Whenever a fan sends an email begging you to play in their city, ask them if their place is available or if they know someone who would host.

6. Ask other bands who have been booked at house concerts for a referral.

Ask other bands if they have played house concerts in the past. If they were successful, try asking them to mention your name to the hosts they have worked with or at least ask if you can name-drop them when talking to the venues. Offer these bands something in return for their help like opening for an upcoming show or helping to sell merch at their booth.