So, you want to produce your own piano concert? Whether you’re a seasoned performer or taking the leap for the first time, putting on your own show is both exciting and overwhelming. I’ve been there—learning everything from scratch, making plenty of mistakes, and eventually, turning my concerts into a successful part of my career.

This guide is designed to help you avoid my mistakes and set yourself up for success. If you’re curious about my personal journey—including how I lost $4000 on my first concert but then sold out the next one—read my story here.

Now, let’s get into the practical steps of making your concert a reality!

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Step 1: Define Your Concert’s Concept

Every great concert starts with a clear vision. Ask yourself:

🔹 What’s the theme? Classical? Film music? A mix? Your own compositions?
🔹 Solo or collaborations? Will you play alone or invite other musicians?
🔹 Who is your audience? Classical lovers? Pop culture fans? Casual listeners?

💡 Pro Tip: Having a strong concept helps with marketing and makes your concert unique. My shows focus on pop culture piano music (Final Fantasy, Studio Ghibli, Anime & Video Games), which immediately resonates with a niche audience.

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Step 2: Find the Right Venue

Your venue sets the tone for your concert, so consider:

🔹 Size & Capacity – Do you want an intimate setting (50-100 seats) or a bigger theatrical concert (300+ seats)?
🔹 Acoustics & Piano Quality – Does the venue have a good grand piano, or will you need to bring your own keyboard?
🔹 Technical Capabilities – Do you need lighting, sound, a projector for visuals?

💡 My Experience: I first booked a 600-seat theatre, which was way too big and I didn’t manage to market the concert well enough. The next time, I booked a 500-seat venue in a location that fit my niche and demographic better, did a better job marketing it, and it sold out.

🔹 Pro Tip: Start smaller than you think you need. A full small venue looks better than a half-empty big one!

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Step 3: Budgeting & Ticket Pricing

Concerts are expensive, so budgeting is key!

💡 My Experience: My first concert lost $4000 and part of the reason was because the venue didn’t help with the marketing and they had their own internal ticketing system. For my second concert, the venue used a ticketing service that automatically created more visibility, and they were actively involved in promoting it, which in turned helped the concert turn a profit.

🔹 Pro Tip: Set realistic financial goals—even breaking even on your first concert is a success!

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Step 4: Plan Your Setlist & Rehearse Effectively

Once logistics are sorted, it’s time to focus on the music!

🔹 Choose Your Setlist Wisely

• Balance technical pieces with emotionally engaging moments.
• Think about flow—do the pieces complement each other?
• If you’re performing pop culture music, consider audience nostalgia & engagement.

🔹 Rehearse Like a Pro

• Practice daily to get the pieces performance-ready as soon as possible.
• Run full concerts for friends or record yourself to simulate a live performance.
• Listen back to your own performances and approach them with a critical ear. Be honest with yourself and take note of which areas need improvement.
• Prepare transitions & talking points—will you introduce pieces? Tell stories?

💡 My Experience: I was very nervous about talking in front of a large crowd, but when the audience started to respond with warmth and laughter, I realized it was the right choice to make! The best concerts feel personal and engaging, not just like a series of pieces played back-to-back.

🔹 Pro Tip: Think of your concert like a story—each piece should lead smoothly into the next.

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Step 5: Marketing – How to Get People in Seats

A great concert means nothing if no one knows about it!

🔹 Social Media & Content Creation
✔ Post behind-the-scenes rehearsal clips & teasers
✔ Run targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
✔ Collaborate with influencers, music pages, and event listings

🔹 Press & Promotion
✔ Contact local blogs, music magazines, and newspapers
✔ Get radio & podcast interviews if possible
✔ Ask your venue if they have marketing support
✔ Look for performance opportunities where you can promote your concert – gaming shops, pop culture stores, bookshops, and pop culture conventions.

💡 My Experience: My first concert struggled because I wasted money on old fashioned forms of marketing (eg flyers and posters) and the design wasn’t engaging or streamlined enough. For my second, I allocated more time and money to video teasers, online ads, and press coverage, which sold out the show.

🔹 Pro Tip: Start promoting at least 3 months before the concert and create social media posts relentlessly – ideally once a day as a minimum!

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Step 6: Film & Capture Everything

Your concert isn’t just about one night—it’s about building your brand.

🔹 Why Film Your Concert?

✔ Use it to promote future shows
✔ Send it to venues & event organizers for bigger opportunities
✔ Post clips on social media & YouTube to grow your audience

💡 My Experience: Even though my first concert lost money, I invested in professional filming, which later helped me sell out my next show. I still use those promo clips and photos today!

🔹 Pro Tip: Get a mix of live shots, close-ups, and audience reactions to make your footage more engaging. If possible – get the audience members to say a few words as they come out of the venue after the concert. This will help with credibility to promote future shows.

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Step 7: The Big Night – And What Comes After

Your hard work pays off when you finally step onto that stage! But even after the show, there’s still work to do:

✔ Thank your audience – Post a message or email them after the show.
✔ Share your concert footage – Clips keep people excited for your next one!
✔ Reflect & Improve – What worked? What didn’t? Take notes for next time.

💡 My Experience: I learned to always be prepared for the worst and have a back up plan! Using an iPad for your sheet music? Consider also having a hard copy with you just in case. Wearing a new dress? Safety pins are a must for unforeseen wardrobe malfunctions!

🔹 Pro Tip: Always follow up with your audience—they are your biggest supporters for future concerts!

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Final Thoughts: Should You Produce Your Own Concert?

Absolutely! It’s terrifying, exhausting, and takes an incredible amount of work… but it’s also one of the most rewarding and empowering things you’ll ever do as an artist.

I started with zero experience, lost money on my first concert, but by learning from my mistakes, I built a show that sold out and launched my career.

🎶 Want to know the full story of my first concert (including the failures & successes)?

Read my personal journey here!

What kind of concert would YOU love to produce? Let me know—I’d love to hear your ideas! ✨