We all know that musicians get invited to parties to provide entertainment. But what about parties for musicians, where it's expected that most or all of the guests can sing or play an instrument? They're definitely a thing—and believe it or not, they might not include a band! (More on that later.) We're party experts here at HalloweenCostumes.com, and many of us are musicians, so we figured we'd cover our best ideas for throwing a musician party. We hope these ideas work for you, and that your own event hits all the right notes!
1. To Play or Not to Play
When inviting guests, you should make clear what kind of party you're planning. Are you hoping that one of them will perform? Are you wishing for a spontaneous jam session? Or will you be hiding the instruments? Picking up an instrument may be second nature for some of us, but your guests might be looking forward to a party where they're not in the spotlight. You know, the opposite of their day job or hobby. (Think of it like inviting a chef to your party and hoping they'll cook something. Rude, right?) That being said, even the chillest of chill parties will probably include some music, which brings us to the playlist.
2. Planning Your Playlist
The soundtrack may be the most essential part of the party. As mentioned earlier, will your guests be expecting something subdued? Or will this be a proper party, with dancing or a band? These will affect what kind of playlist you put together. Do some research and include plenty of musicians' musicians, artists and bands that performers themselves listen to, which may not always be Top 10 material. No matter what, we suggest asking your guests for suggestions, and sharing the playlist with them afterward.
3. Open Mic Corner
If some of your guests would like to perform, consider setting up an open-mic space and some seats for an audience—somewhere that's not the center of the party. This is the perfect environment for both experienced and budding musicians to share a new song, poem, or spoken word piece.
4. Live Karaoke Band
If your guest list includes enough cover band musicians (or anyone willing to fake it), you might be able to assemble a karaoke band. This is a live backing band that plays music for karaoke. They're a fun way to get your guests to mingle musically!
5. Music Trivia
Here's an idea that isn't based on performances! If your guests are looking for a music-related activity that doesn't involve playing, consider planning a music trivia game. Organize a contest centered on music history, famous albums, artists and bands, and so on. You can even include audio snippets and album cover puzzles for a lively challenge.
6. Guest Music Lounge
If your home or venue has the space, consider setting aside an area with a turntable and CD player for your guests to share their favorite albums. Our favorite version of the lounge is a cozy listening nook for two or three guests. This could also be a way for guests to make an alternative party playlist—especially if they bring radically different genres.
7. Record Swap
How about encouraging your guests to bring some of their less-wanted vinyl records or CDs for a swap? You could set aside some time for a formal swap or let it happen organically, perhaps as part of the guest music lounge mentioned above.
8. Film Festival
We've been talking about audio a lot, but what about video? After all, the two go hand-in-hand in the form of music videos, documentaries, and concert footage. These are great options for playing on a television in a living room, or you can set up a laptop and projector in a quieter area. You could even set up your own film festival awards!
9. Education Station
How about setting aside a place for education, tutorials, training, and so on? This could range from instrument set-up and repair to home recording basics, or even demonstrations of new sound tools and tech. While we admit that this option doesn't scream "party", we've been to plenty of get-togethers where people split off to discuss their musical gear. This is simply a more planned version of that!
10. Costume Party
| Britney Spears Costume | Michael Jackson Costume | Selena Costume | Jimi Hendrix Costume |
We're HalloweenCostumes.com, so of course we'll recommend a costume party! It's your party, so pick a theme. You can go with costumes based on a specific genre, like glam rock, or our favorite theme of all: legendary musicians.
Are you throwing a party for your musician friends? Tell us how you planned it in the comments, including if you borrowed any ideas from this list—or made up your own. If you're looking for more legendary costumes for your party, be sure to check out all of our celebrity and musician costumes here at HalloweenCostumes.com!
