Australian cities getting Airbnb’s new concerts experience

A number of Australian cities will be among those around the world hosting Airbnb Concerts.

Announced in San Francisco, this is a new initiative where musicians will host an intimate concert (50 to 100) in unconventional spaces as recording studios, churches, wine cellars, even laundromats.

Sydney was one of the 25 cities at launch, with a Vance Joy gig.

The Australian singer-songwriter had in fact done a couple of pre-launch shows in various countries, previewing his new album, playing songs and responding to questions from fans.

Joy’s shows were all sold out, and cost $75 each time, compared to the $20— $35 that Airbnb Concerts normally cost.

The other 25 cities include San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, London, Tokyo, Amsterdam and Paris.

According to Airbnb “it is hosting hundreds of concerts every month across (the) 25 cities — helping travellers connect with artists and rediscover music through this unique experience.”

But Airbnb expects the number of cities to expand to between 50 to 100 by the end of 2018, and which will include a number of Australian ones.

By end of the year, the company’s head of music, James Beshara, predicts, 20,000 people every month will be booking Airbnb Concerts.

Beshara adds, “Music fans are really craving this format, it gives them a connection with the artist that they won’t get n stadiums and festivals.

“They’re small events, so they’re interactive and people are in the front rows, so they’re totally focussed on the performance.”

The Silicon Valley hospitality company, valued at US$30 billion and lists 4.5 million homes for rent in over 81,000 cities, is finding new ways to give customers what they want.

One is becoming more specific about the places they’re staying at – to the point it can be rustic, have a balcony. And be owned by an author or musician, for that ambience.

Two years ago it introduced its “experiences”, whether it was going gospel singing in Harlem or truffle hunting in Tuscany or surf lessons in Malibu or hiking in the woods in Seattle or learning to make pasta with two chefs in Florence.

Bookings leaped 2,500%, and experiences expanded from 12 to 60 cities, with Tasmania, Iceland and Easter Island to be added this year.

Last year, it began offering Music Experiences as part of the global offer.

It quickly became a popular one, which sees Airbnb expanding the idea considerably through 2018 to include small shpws.

Says Beshara, a former musician, “These sort of intimate shows provides people with more memories.

“So who knows how big this could become?”