June 2007
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We asked Club Bookers what impact House Concerts have on their business? Should they be regarded as a “legit” business & held to the same legal requirements? Here’s a sampling of responses: “AS a 300 capacity club I pay almost $4,000 a year for ASCAP/BMI. What happens if someone injures themselves at a house concert? I bet the homeowners insurance will not cover it.” ….. the only thing that can come of house / basement / loft / 'non standard venue' shows - is good. It makes the entire scene thrive, and you can't expect people to want to be at clubs every night. Personally, most of the reason I'm involved in the industry is that I like people, and would say of all the shows I've seen - the best were always in houses or basements.” "Kids that go to House shows come to see the same bands at our venue in 2-5 years when they are old enough. Bands build their live shows by playing houses." “…I don’t book bands that are performing at house parties because their fans will first go to
that event where they can bring their own alcohol, etc, than pay to see it at a venue, pay for their
drinks, and all that. It only affects a small segment of the bands I’m dealing with, though— it
doesn’t come up often.” "A house concert is a great way for acts who are building a fan base to break into this market in
a low stress, cool environment. Medium size rooms are not the best place for artists to develop
particularly because there is often no built-in audinence – awesome bands can end up playing to
no one their first few times in Ithaca (regardless of promotion or hype) – while a house concert
usually has a built in audience of friends..." "Overall they help develop audiences for live music and for individual performers. If the house
concert promoter is advertising and promoting through the normal channels that regular venues
do, ie, radio, newspapers, etc then they need to play by the rules. Part of this isfor safety and part
is to be fair to the venues. If, however, as many house concert promoters do, they are prmoting to
their circle of friends then it is really more of a private party and shouldn't be held to the same
standard as a public performance would." "House concerts help build acts at the primary level." "If it is a show that only draws 300 or less than it does hurt my business – especially if it’s in the
same week. I had that experience with a band & the numbers dropped but they still wanted to be
paid the same amount of money – I don’t book them anymore. Concerts larger than 300 don’t
affect me." "Is anyone really making a ton of money on house concerts? If you weigh what little they may
be making against other money circulating in cities the risks involved (from either the police or
their neighbors getting the shows shut down) on the promoters' part, I'd have to say 'no.'
I used to host basement shows when I lived in Burlington, VT and I think the most me and my
housemates ever made was enough to pay for a P.A.
Each city has its own zoning laws and those have to be respected, as well as any other laws
pertinent to the shows. s anyone really making a ton of money on house concerts? If you weigh
what little they may be making against other money circulating in cities the risks involved (from
either the police or their neighbors getting the shows shut down) on the promoters' part, I'd have
to say 'no.'" "If they are charging for tickets to make a profit, even if it’s a very small profit, they are acting as
a business. Most house concerts aren’t going to be able to pack several hundred into a living room
to watch an artist so they going to make a huge profit, if any….In the case of Aspen Meadows
they did not charge a ticket price & only asked for a voluntary donation….Generally these house
concerts aren’t going to necessarily affect other promoters/ business & if it is, then that promoter
probably needs to reconsider if it is worth bringing in that artist to their venue in the first place. "Well clubs can't book every touring artists or every band that asks so it at least provides some
acts with a venue...and at the same time it also gives usually the young folks that do it a feeling
like they are
sticking it to the man...or they have voice in the biz...exhilerating
for them I guess. Legit?: if nightclubs have to jump through all kinds of hoops just to open the
door(ie building codes, fire codes, public health code) it would only make sense to have "house"
venues do the same...they are guerilla or pirate venues the operate outside the norm so they
present a sense of danger to the kids that go to them…" "…most house concerts can only hold 50-60 people ( unless they are performing outdoors and
that a whole other ball game). They’re a great experience, generally "unplugged" with out sound
or lights and then we can sell them on a full performance --with all the bells and whistles. Great
publicity for the artists and prep work for a presenter.” "House concerts are a vital thing especially for
unknown touring artists. I have actually referred
touring artists to local folks who present house
concerts. I have also been a touring musician for 10+
years and I have had both amazing experences and lack
luster ones at house concerts. The club that I own "
The Space " started as a house concert type situation
in a small warehouse space. After the fire in Rhode
Island I made a decision to get a legal space and
become a legitimate business. If house concert promoters are presenting shows 2-3 nights a
week then they should be a legitimate
business that way they would be protected if some
unforseen legal or physical problems arose.
There are a handful l of promoters who put on shows at Halls. These promoters are not legitimate
businesses, they do a
good job of getting folks to shows and they are able
to pay artists a little bit more than a venue because
they do not pay taxes, insurance, utilities or much of
anything. So sometimes I do loose a show that I am
trying to get because the underground promoter can pay
the artist a few bucks more." "I think it depends on how often you are doing those shows. I see no problem with having a
"party" at your house and having a band play and then taking up a collection to pay them. But,
when you're doing that every weekend it has to raise some legal issues. In Raleigh, NC, where
The Brewery is located, the city has strict laws in place that govern live music venues. Because of
the fire at The Station in Rhode Island several years back, Raleigh implemented a law requiring
any business that provides amplified entertainment to obtain a special permit. The permit requires
certain rules the club must follow. And the permit is pretty expensive. So, for a guy with a house
to have bands play regularly and not have to meet those same requirements simply isn't fair to
businesses that go through the proper channels and spend a lot of money to bring people live
music. Plus, there's a safety issue. If you have 100 people squeazed into a basement to see a band
play and a fire breaks out, what are you going to do? Most houses don't have two or three fire
extinguishers, safety exits clearly marked, etc." "Any concerts not at a place of business, especially a bar
or concert venue that makes its way via supporting local
original musicians, may pull "draw", or attendees, from
the club. However, house concerts are usually a festive or
special event and the host and guests are usually fans of
that performer or band. Therefore, the band may be
building a stronger bond with their crowd and actually
protecting their draw by binding their fans to them, which
makes it easier for them to solicit future shows to this
group. That being said, we (the club) appreciate it when
the band makes certain that a house concert does not
violate their club appearance by, for example, introducing a
new set at the house instead of the club, charging a much
lower cover for the competing event, or setting it up too
close to a club appearance, exhausting their fans and
therefore diluting their attendance for the day of their
club show." "House concerts could harm our business -we are one of the few small intimate concert venues
in our area." "Any person or organization that presents music in a non-biased and ethical way is good for
the music business. There are many legitimate house concerts out there that provide
opportunities for emerging artists in a simple and affordable way.” "I get leads on good performers from house concert presenters." "It brings more attention to live music!" "House concerts have not affected our business directly in any way we can qualify. There are
bigger concerns for a local original music venue - maintaining a local original
show presence in the face of opening slots on nationalshows, regional events (in our area,
Mayfair, Musikfest and the Allentown Fair all affect show attendance), and the strong and
consistent turnover of bands. We support local original musicians five nights a week while
understanding that their draw often fluctuates." "They may hurt the draw of an act if the house show is cheaper & all ages….but generally I
don’t feel they are bad. Many times bands start in these house environments and graduate to
bigger clubs & sound systems. Should it be regulated? Probably not (but) if it’s a commercial
enterprise intending to make money then it should be regulated in the same way. Many times
those shows are for minors – under 21s help pay the band but they don’t pay the bills – bills get
paid by the booze sold." "LAST: I think the government should stay out of what people do in their own homes, and have no
right to limit such things. I understand the point of people who feel they should be treated as a
business, but it is easy enough to run a house concert as a party and have a "suggested donation"
for the music. The government has no right to limit this, and businesses trying to place these
limits on house concerts through government intervention are wasting resources on
protectionism.” |
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