Florian: Up Close
Unforgettable intimate performances
Florian: Up Close takes incredible performances out of the concert hall and into your community.
First run in Autumn 2019 in London, this project grounds music-making in the relationships between local people. You can get involved both as a host and as a guest.
If your residence can fit in some people plus a VW Beetle with half the bonnet cut off* then you are the ideal candidate to host a performance. Get in touch via these forms to kick things off!
*that’s how much space the quartet takes up…
“I’ve never been to a classical concert before - I would find it too scary. But this feels so comfortable, and it’s a really nice way to get to know new people!”
— Concert attendee, 2019
The idea
House concerts are an amazing way to hear live music. The closeness can make it a thrilling way to listen, but they’re also a great opportunity to meet people, and to share in music as a collective experience.
This idea goes back a very long way. Our version of it involves informal events that have don’t have much common with the formalities of most classical concerts. BUT the intensity of the playing is just the same — with the added bonus that being so close to the performers gives a brand new perspective on music.
We help hosts — which could be you, if you click the HOST button above! — organise small-scale events that take place on your own terms. The ensemble will work together with you to produce an exciting, risky, playful, and friendly show that’s appropriate for absolutely anybody, and which can happen in many different kinds of venue!
Note that while in principle they’re open events, operating under the assumption of free entry with voluntary donations, we take all possible steps to ensure safety and security.
The performances aren’t listed publicly, and so to attend one of the concerts, you need to have been invited. Invites include a code that can be used to access the secret webpage and reserve your spot. This means it’s always a local, trusted audience.
If you’d like to attend one but haven’t been invited personally, you can register your interest with us directly using the ATTEND button above.
Note that we currently run UP CLOSE performances in London only, but this may change in the future.
Things Hosts Should Know
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It’s FREE to host
There are no costs to you whatsoever - you’re not ‘hiring’ the ensemble. We’ll also provide material to help spread the word in your local area, athough how you go about it is up to you.
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It’s FREE to attend
Anyone can come to this event completely free of charge. We ask at the end for anyone who can to pay as much as they think it was worth, which is how we earn our fees.
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Audiences are INVITED
Anyone can come along, as long as they’ve been invited and have signed up in advance. The location of the performance is not available publicly - it will only be revealed to those who have been organically invited.
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It’s TICKETED
Tickets are free, but everyone has to sign up. If you’re the host, of course you can have as many of your own friends there as you like, but please let us know in advance so they can be allocated tickets.
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It’s BYOB
So you may want to stock up on disposable cups! But we’ll give you plenty of control over the feel of the performance and the occasion - whatever you’re comfortable with.
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It’s for EVERYONE
We want to make this as inclusive and friendly as possible. And you don’t need to have ever listened to classical music to have a great time!
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You don't need extra CHAIRS
Unless someone has special requirements - which we’ll cater for together - the floor is the place to be in these intimate gigs!
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You can help CHOOSE music
Only if you want to – but you can request from our list of repertoire, or tell us the kind of vibe that you are after and we will choose pieces that match it. Or if you want a surprise you can leave it completely up to us!