Our venue started primarily like many church coffeehouses booking folk acts, but other than a few bigger names with their own following (and those that leaned more toward the "pop" side of music as opposed to strict folk music), we were fairly unsuccessful, says John Swartz or the Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Winchester, MA. So, fairly early on in our existence (mid-90's), we made it a point to seek non-folk acts, seeking instead different instrumentalists, more pop and jazz-based musicians, or a cappella acts. The other reason a cappella appeals to me as a venue organizer is that I think it can and does attract a young crowd.
Several venues contacted cited the myriad styles (of music) that a cappella brings, a departure from the all-folk format. Deirdre Nice at the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center in Portland, ME says, A cappella music seems to cover all musical styles from jazz to R&B to rap to rock, and tends to be the most unique and eclectic of all the groups we book, and it fills the house. A cappella music is perfect for the intimate acoustic environment of the St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center, and the way the a cappella artists connect with one another and the audience is something very unique to this music.
Sarah Craig of Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY also cited the direct connection with the audience that vocal bands seem to have.
Interestingly, some venues find the non-instrumented setup to be easier than those with instruments, but some find it more complex. More people in stage, a bigger sound, and some venues own house sound systems cannot accommodate a group act, so outside sound equipment must sometimes be brought in. Still, they say, the end result is a show (and an audience) that makes the effort worthwhile.
Bob Alonge of the New Song Arts Center in Rockland, MA, says, A cappella shows usually do well compared to folk, which is always a crap shoot. I have always found a cappella groups to be well prepared, organized and professional, and their fans to be loyal. These are all qualities of a venue owners dream booking."
Amy Malkoff is a musician, graphic designer and editor living on the north shore of Boston. She has an AB in music from Kenyon College, completed graduate studies in theoretical studies at the New England Conservatory of Music and has a design certificate from Clark University. She is one of the founding members of All About Buford
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