This story was published in Volume 1, Issue 2
By: Cecilia Florian
You never really know what is going on in someone’s house. It could be dinner time, a birthday party or maybe a band playing in their living room.
Welcome to the culture of house shows. Although house concerts have been rolling for decades, there’s been more incentive now than ever to attend. Instead of spending $300 on nosebleeds, you can get an immersive experience for free.
Every weekend, bands across the country go to someone’s gear-friendly house and put on a show for devoted listeners, friends, family and anyone else who wanders in. By the end of the show, a community has formed, whether participants are aware of it or not.
“After going to house show after house show, they all of a sudden have a whole group of people who have shared values,” said Keiran Wisell, a guitarist for Fort Collins-based band Clementine.
There’s a snowball effect with house shows and chosen family; you go to one, and you are a part of it all.
To be a musician is to be a creator. Releasing music is expressing creativity, and playing that music is expressing intimacy and vulnerability. But oftentimes, bands don’t have a space to be creative, and untapped art is left behind.
Audiences don’t care how many songs you’ve released or how many Spotify monthly listeners you have. People go to hear the band’s creative works. Everything about a house show is creative, from deciding where to set up to making the acoustics sound the best they can.
“The house show community is accepting of everyone,” Kate Bradford, a regular house show attendee, said. “No matter what background you come from or who you hope to become, it brings together complete strangers to bond over our shared love of music. It is a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
There is a certain level of intimacy within the setting of these concerts. Apart from the venue being someone’s home, the community relies on closeness. The exchange of art between the band’s music and the audience’s reveling makes the community fluid and safe for expression.
“They’re so much better than regular shows,” Caleb Crowe, Clementine’s drummer, said. “I feel like there’s more freedom at a house show. You can just do whatever, be yourself and not worry.”
Different bands have different songs and sounds. Different people come to each show. It’s a different house every night. There is room to explore parts of yourself you wouldn’t have been able to if you chose to go somewhere else for your Friday night.
If you choose to go to a house show or you attend them regularly, Clementine would like to give you some reminders: “If you see something, say something. Be nice to everybody. Pick up your friends if they fall down. Drink water. Be mindful of where you blow your cigarette smoke. Respect the space.”
