house gigs

[danielf]

No, not house music, but a house gig: an artist performing in someone's living room. I might go and see two American artists whith 5 cds each to their name perform in a living room somewhere in Liverpool.

This set of gigs is described as following:

What are house gigs?

Er, they’re gigs. In a house. But lots of people do ask about how they work. They’re really not that frightening honestly. Basically, artists who have a spare night on a UK tour (and occasionally artists who just fancy doing a house gig full stop) turn up and play in a living room. You just need to turn up with a bottle and some money (usually £5) for the whipround for the artiste’s expenses, find a seat or bit of the floor, and then sit back and enjoy music in probably the most intimate setting you can see it. There’s buffet food provided for when you get hungry, and you get to chat to the artists afterwards because there’s nowhere for them to escape to. It’s also a good way of meeting people with similar music tastes as a regular crowd develops and neighbours become good friends! As we say, all really are very welcome and transport to the current location we mainly put them on in Liverpool is very good as the house is next to a city line train station which has direct trains running to both Liverpool Lime St and Manchester Oxford Road. No need to book “tickets” in advance either - just turn up any time after 8pm on the night. The evening usually kicks off around 9pm and winds up late....

It sounds great, though it will probably be a little odd ringing a door bell in a residential area (presumably) and go: is this the gig?

Has anyone been to one of these things?

What are they like?

The concept sounds great, but I just don't know what to expect (anywhere from watching the gig from the corridor, to finding myself on a sofa with an inquisitive person either side of me and no-one else in the room.

[Russ]

I used to do house gigs when I worked on 96.4FM The Wave - each sunday I'd go and do a DJ set from someone's front room - it was called "Russ on the road: Live in your Lounge".

It was pretty cool, neighbouring listeners used to drop by etc.

I'd recommend it

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Russ D

"Russ on the road: Live in your Lounge".

It was pretty cool, neighbouring listeners used to drop by etc.

And the extra bass beat was the other neighbours banging on the walls...!

[Halcyon]

LOL yeah I'm sure the neighbours must love it.
I guess they get free entry or something.

It would be interesting to go to one of these and be able to talk to the musicians afterwards.

[danielf]

Well, I just returned from this, and it was great!

It was a little awkward, going down a set of terraced houses, with the usual small front rooms (me thinking: how can you have a gig there?). When I came to the house where the gig was, I couldn't look into the front room as all the curtains were drawn, but I rang the bell, and it was pretty obvious people were expected.

Basically, the gig took place in your bog standard terraced house (with the wall between lounge and dining room taken out, but with a corridor) Not a lot of space therefore, but it snugly fit the audience of 25 or so, plus the act.

The acts were great. The support act (which was the artist I wanted to see), did an acoustic (amplified) solo set. The main act however, was a proper 4 piece band, with drums, base, guitar and vocalist (all amplified). The band alone took up half the lounge

As for the atmosphere/people there: basically it was a party with loads of good-natured people and quality live music.

Seeing this house has gigs every month or so, I think I will go again.

[allanprg]

I was just thinking what it would be like having a gig session in my small terrace house. Bet the neighbors would really love it. I used to be in several groups back a few years ago. Well a lot of years ago. Played the drums.

[Halcyon]

Drums are fun. Get a band set up again and then invite all the forum to come down and watch you play.