Why Bands Should Consider House Show Tours

Planning a tour can be difficult, mainly because tours are supposed to be fun and make money. Those two ideas don't always go hand-in-hand.

Many bands find themselves looking for bar gigs and dinner gigs that have almost no chance of bringing them any new fans, simply because it's a way to make money, and when you're 300 miles from home, money starts to become more important.

However, many independent bands have found a new way of touring: house show tours. House show tours are pretty much exactly what they sound like: bands play at fans' houses, usually to a very receptive crowd. There are a number of advantages to house show tours, so they're certainly something to consider before hitting the road. Here's a look at a few of the biggest pluses to planning your band tour around house shows.

They're easy to set up. When you set up house shows, you don't have to deal with angry bartenders and venues that want their cut of a door. You're usually talking with your fans or with other bands, which is much easier. Dates are generally more flexible, because most people don't put on a lot of house shows. You might have to play earlier in the night to avoid noise complaints from neighbors, but it's a worthwhile tradeoff.

They're better for the fans. Fans like house shows because they're all ages, they end early, and the cover's less expensive. Planning a house band tour gives them a personal, I'm-in-on-something kind of feeling. Give the fans what they want, and you'll end up having fun with them.

They're not as crazy. Craziness sounds pretty fun and rock-and-roll, but getting wasted at a bar every night for two weeks will put your health in serious jeopardy. Plus, your band sucks when everyone's hungover.

At house shows, there's less pressure to get wild and more of a focus on the music. Your tour will be healthier and more productive, and if your band feels like drinking or having a wild night, it'll fit into your schedule much more easily.

They're more profitable. Usually, you'll be staying at the house where the show was set up. Home owners are likely to offer bands food, too, although you shouldn't insist on it. Those are two major bills that are greatly reduced with each stop.

As mentioned earlier, fans usually pay more attention at house shows, so bands sell more merchandise, especially solo artists. You keep more of the door, if there is one.

Overall, house shows are a great new tool that every band should incorporate when planning a tour. There are few disadvantages, and they're more organic and true to the purpose of a tour. They're also a ton of fun, which is certainly something to keep in mind when hitting the road.

Ever set up a house show tour? Post below.