I wrote the following on July 31, 2016 prior to hosting my first house show. If you ever thought about hosting a show and had doubts about whether you are able to or not, I’d like to encourage you with this post by a guy being terrified to fail at hosting his first that is now getting ready to host his 5th show of 2021 on September 15.
This coming Friday I have the privilege to do something that I’ve always wanted to do but not thought I’d have the logistics to pull off. In the immense excitement of it approaching, I also have to admit to being a little intimidated and terrified. If you’re reading this, you most likely follow me elsewhere; and if you follow me elsewhere, you no doubt know that I’m a huge fan of music and experiencing it live. There’s little that I enjoy more than being in a room soaking up every note played and every melody and harmony sung. I’ve been in crowds of just a handful of people all the way up to multiple thousands and yet no matter the size of the crowd I can tune it out and focus on and connect with the artist on the stage. This is very unlike every other aspect of my life where normally I come completely overwhelmed when in the middle of a crowd.
It’s that connection with the music which allows me to move past my comfort zone. I feel and recognize that the band or singer is giving something of themselves to me; they have a gift that they are pouring out to others to experience. It causes me to want to volunteer and give just a little bit back to them to say thank you.
This is why I’ll drive or fly hours just to see my favorite bands and even some that I’ve just discovered. It’s why I’ll seek out ways that I can invest back into them either with money or volunteered time. Why I am probably annoying when I share posts related to their music because I want everyone else to be able to hear something new. Why I made sure that when I received a group email from Handsome and Gretyl that they were putting together a house show tour, I would do everything I could to secure a place on their list to stop. That’s what I’m immensely excited and a little intimidated and terrified about.
I have no doubt that they’ll come and give of themselves and that the show will be excellent. I have no doubt that the location will be perfect for the event and provide exactly what is needed. I’m immensely excited because I know what I will get out of the experience. My hope is that this will be the first of many that I host; but even if it’s the only one, I can’t have picked a better band. Their music is both infectious and deep; which are qualities that are hard to combine. The vocal range is incredible, and the musical arrangements are beautifully done. They’ve been nothing but incredible in this whole experience, and I am confident that will spill over into the show. I’m so excited for the connection to the music and the people behind it, and I am hopeful that everyone there will feel a connection to someone beyond themselves as well.
I am so glad that I had this first opportunity to host these amazing people and all of the others that have come after the last 5 years. It’s definitely been an amazing ride sharing this experience with family and friends old and new. Can’t wait to see the next steps of this journey and sharing it with all of you.