Ellington

It's not just for sweaty, basement punks anymore. Do-it-yourself house concerts are cropping up all over Jackson, the perfect expression of the city's collaborative, welcoming music scene. I asked my good friend Lizzie Wright, who has hosted several shows featuring local and out-of-town bands, for some tips on throwing a house concert.

Wright is a musician herself, performing as Lizzie Wright Super Spaceship. House shows are some of her favorite and most energetic performing experiences, she says, because the (small) crowds are so receptive and engaged.

Money Talks
Be upfront about how (or if) you'll pay the performers, and make sure you mention any charge or suggested donation when you publicize the show. For shows at her house, Wright usually tells bands that she will pass a hat for and sometimes offers a suggestion for a small donation.

"As far as I can tell, people are making more money playing at my house than they make at bars. People in this town, in particular, are extremely generous," Wright says. "In such an intimate setting, they feel almost like they've been given a gift, and they want to give back."

Sounds and Power
For bands that use amplifiers, it helps if you have a P.A. or can borrow one. It also helps to have spare extension cords or power strips. Know where to find your electrical outlets.

Making Space
When considering locations for your house concert, be reasonable. Don't make a four-piece band play in your bathtub. Pick a room with plenty of space and clear out unnecessary clutter. But the cozy feel of a house is part of the show's appeal, so don't worry if some folks have to stand in a doorway.

Being Neighborly
Noise is a concern best addressed beforehand. Schedule your show for a time when it's less likely to offend your neighbors and warn them in advance. Keep in mind that your performers won't need to turn their amplifiers to 11 like they might in a noisy bar.

When the New Orleans indie-pop band Glasgow played on Wright's front lawn, they barely needed microphones, but their low-volume set was one of the most intense I'd seen in months.

Odds & Ends
Wright says she's learned to leave a cup for cigarette butts on her front steps to spare her potted plants. She also party-proofs her house, securing off-limits kitchen cupboards with rubber bands and putting out visible recycling containers.

If you're a musician looking to play a house show on tour, Wright recommends checking out http://www.dodiy.org, which lists DIY venues in various cities. She also encourages people interested in hosting or playing in Jackson to contact her at {encode="[email protected]" title="[email protected]"}.