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| From | "Ira Rosen" <irosen@ixtelecom.com> |
| Subject | Re: audities-digest V1 #512 (12 msgs) |
| Date | Thu, 17 Jul 2003 09:03:06 -0400 |
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From: "Sager, Greg" <greg.sager@bankofamerica.com>
> In other words, don't sell your friends and neighbors short just
>because they aren't "into the pop thing." You should be able to convince
>them to attend a house concert based upon the fact that *you're* the one
who
>is making the pitch and playing the host -- not to mention the fact that
>it's an informal, kid-friendly, local, and relaxed setting. It sounds to me
>as though seeing an artist or band win over new fans in your own backyard
or
>living room is half the fun of hosting these things, anyway.
Indeed, this does work. My brother runs about one show a year in his home
as part of our series. Though I tend to get more pop fans, his shows are
more solidly well attended, but by his friends - no by fans, who come for
the party. His last show was The Grip Weeds - virtually no one in the place
had heard of them, but the 60-70 people who came, all had a good time. 10
CDs were sold (given that maybe half the attendees were kids, that's between
20% and 30% of the audience buying a CD), and at least one guy has become a
head over heels fan of the band.
There was an offer made to house a band driving between Denver and LA -
here's a better pitch - offer the housing in exchange for an acoustic
performance. If you can arrange such an evening, invite your friends - pop
fans or not - to a party with a band. Offer light snacks and drinks, allow
the band to peddle merch, and pass around the hat to collect gas money for
the band.
Congratulations, you've just hosted your first house concert.
Band gets housing (rather than having to sleep in a van/search for some
acquaintance to help them out/pay for a motel), food, donations for the
cause (which will likely amount to more than they'd receive in a club) and
merch sales. You get an amazing musical cultural experience. Yes, it's
really that easy.
> I'm guessing that it's a lot easier to sell your neighbors power pop
>than it is to sell them Amway or Tupperware.
Don't underestimate the cult of Amway...
But yes, it is. My parents have bought band CDs (granted, they turned me on
the Beatles before birth), my nephews have gotten their parents to buy CDs
(from indie, non-skate bands - this is an achievement), people who have
never heard these bands come back for more, and I have one family who sort
of likes the music, but has been to several shows because they find it a
great way to "decompress" from a busy life (the husband/dad spends most of
his time sitting on the sofa with the Sunday Times reading while the band
plays).
Ira
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