May 2014 House Concert
Indianapolis, IN 




If you are interested in booking a show please email mangionemusic@gmail.com with the subject booking. 

Shows are offered as:
Solo
Duo (Mike and Brother Tom, two guitars) 
Four Piece (Violin, Cello, Acoustic, Electric Guitar)
Full Band-The Union

Book a Concert In Your Home ( A House Concert)

Q: What is a House Concert?A house concert is exactly what it sounds like: a concert hosted in someone’s house. House concerts can be one of the most unique and intimate ways of experiencing live music. There are no bright lights or mega-screens. There is no stage, no “fourth wall” separating the artist from the audience. There is but a human experience shared through the gift of music. House concerts can range quite a bit in size and scope, with anywhere between 20-100 people in attendance. 25-50 people in a large living room is about average.

Q: How can I book one?
If interested, send an email to mangionemusic@gmail.com with “House Concert Request” in the subject line. If you’ve already got a preferred date, time, and location in mind, great! If you simply want more info, we’ll be happy to send it to you.  If you did not have a preferred, Mike travels everywhere and often, there is a good chance he will be in your area in a years time.  Narrowing down a date will not be difficult.  

Q: How much does a house show cost?
There are three ways to cover the costs of a house concert.  The first is a buy out buy out by the host.  Some hosts want to treat their audiance to a performance and not burden them with a ticket price.  In these incidences the host can cover the cost 100%.  For more information on costs please email us.  The second option is the host provides a smaller guarantee and the rest is generated through a suggested donation from the audience.  Typically, there is a ticket price or “suggested donation” amount that ranges anywhere from $10-20 per person, whatever you think your guests can pay ($15 is about average). The last option is to generate all revenue from the suggested donation ticket BUT the host need to be able to guarantee a specific number of paying guests.  This number of guests needed will be determined between Mike and the host.   It is the responsibility of the host to communicate to their guests the suggested donation ticket as well collecting all monies at least twice during the night of the show.  All money from admission/donations and merchandise sales are retained solely by the performing artist unless there was a buy out by the host.  In the case of the host buying the show out, they can do whatever they like if they decide to collect money. 

Q: What does the format of the night look like exactly?
Invite folks to arrive approximately 30-60 minutes prior to when you want the music to begin. Hosts are not obligated to provide refreshments for their guests, but they certainly can. Feel free to encourage people to bring their own libation(s) or food to share. Once the advertised “start time” rolls around, gather everyone in the main listening area for the concert. The performer can play two 45-minute sets [with a 10- or 15-minute break in between] OR a straight 60-to-90-minute set. It’s all up to the host.

Q: My house really isn’t very big. Where are people supposed to sit?!?
Hosts will typically rearrange furniture to accommodate their guests, though this certainly isn’t required. People can sit on the miscellaneous living room chairs, folding chairs, cushions, couches, loveseats, stairs, bean bags, etc. Some people may prefer to stand and others might simply enjoy sitting on the floor. You will be amazed at how a seemingly haphazard seating arrangement can do quite a bit to enhance the uniqueness of the house concert experience.

Q: Do I need to provide sound equipment?
This depends on how the concert fits into Mike's schedule.  If the show is part of a string of shows that Mike is touring through on the road then he will have a PA with him.  If it is part of a strings of shows that he flew in for then the host will have to provide one.  In our experience, everyone who provided one had a friend they borrowed from.  You will be surprised by how available a PA is when you start asking around.

Q: Alright. My final question is…how do I get people to attend?
Word-of-mouth, phone calls, emails, Facebook and other social media sites are great (and free!) ways to let family, friends, and friends of family and friends know about the concert you’ll soon be hosting in your home. Share CDs, video links, and the artist’s website info. Encourage people to go online and check out this artist, whom they may have never heard of before. Remember, it’s the artist’s job to win over the audience with his/her songs and stories. But before the artist can do this, it’s your job to make sure that people are curious enough about the artist to want to give him/her a chance in the first place.

Please email any other questions to Mangionemusic@gmail.com