What to buy for a living room concert

A living room concert needs more than drinks and a few chairs. You need enough glassware, serving pieces, power access and practical lighting for guests, while keeping instruments and cables safely away from foot traffic. Plan drinks for the welcome period and the break, plus easy snacks that do not require plates and cutlery for every bite. This shopping list helps you check the items that are easy to overlook before the performer arrives.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

High tablesqty 3
Dining tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 36
Stoolsqty 4
Coat rack
Coat rack

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 30
Dinner platesqty 40
Dessert platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Music cablesqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6
LED string lightsqty 3
Spare batteriesqty 24

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Flower bouquetsqty 4
Welcome sign
Menusqty 36

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 2
Dustpans and brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Honey - 1 jar
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Red - 12 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 2 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 2 cartons
- Grape juice - 2 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Lager - 24 bottles
- Rosé wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 5 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Brie - 3 pieces
- Aged cheese - 1.5 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 24 pieces
- Cucumber - 5 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Olives - 4 jars
- Salted crackers - 4 packs
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Pesto - 3 jars
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Mixed Salad - 6 bags
- Cucumber salad - 3 tubs
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Basil - 4 bunches
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 grinder
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Whipped cream - 3 spray cans
- Brownies - 36 pieces
- Mini pastries - 36 pieces
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Trash bags - 2 rolls

Tips

Buy or set aside two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Include still water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
Allow one wine glass and one water glass per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage or glasses left in another room. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each.
Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one cutlery set per seated guest, with 10% spare. Serving platters and serving spoons prevent guests from handling food directly.
Check your sound and power supplies at least 48 hours before the concert. Count the active speakers, mixer, microphones, stands, music cables, power strips and extension cords, and keep spare batteries for lighting.
Prepare a separate coffee and tea station with enough cups for every guest who may stay after the performance. Put tablecloths, a welcome sign and menus out before the soundcheck so setup does not compete with the artist’s arrival.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a living room concert?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one additional drink per person per hour. For 20 guests at a three-hour event, plan roughly 80 drinks in total, including water and non-alcoholic choices.
How many glasses should I buy for a home concert?: Plan one wine glass and one water glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 wine glasses and 22 water glasses.
What sound equipment do I need for a living room concert?: Confirm the performer’s requirements at least one week ahead. A typical setup may include active speakers, a mixer, microphones, microphone stands, music cables, power strips and extension cords; the artist should confirm quantities and connections.
When should I shop for a living room concert?: Buy non-perishable supplies and check equipment at least 48 hours before the concert. Shop for chilled drinks, fresh snacks, flowers and other short-life items one day before, then chill the drinks several hours before guests arrive.

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