HOSTS NEEDED: Steve Dawson + Diane Christiansen – Sept 2025

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(photo by Matthew Gilson)

Now Seeking Steve Dawson + Diane Christiansen Fans to host Their Undertow shows in 2025

Do you have a large living room, community space, art gallery, studio, or other space that can safely host 35-50 people? If so, we want to hear from you!

To take the first step and get involved, please:

  • Read all about the hosting expectations outlined on this page.
  • Complete the intake form (at the bottom) to submit your space.
  • Sit tight! We’ll get back to you as soon as possible about dates and logistics. 

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This tour will feature Steve Dawson joined by Diane Christiansen, both formerly of the alt-country band Dolly Varden. The fall tour will mark the release of Steve’s newest record, simply titled Ghosts. Listen and buy Ghosts HERE.

Undertow keeps this simple for hosts. All you have to do is let us borrow your living room (for approx. 3 hours) and check-in guests at the door. In return, you’ll get to see an intimate performance by Steve + Diane in your space, 5 free tickets for your friends, and our eternal gratitude.

These shows can only happen if fans volunteer to host, so reach out today to help us get this show on the road. Steve + Diane would love to play at your place!

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: June 30
TICKETS ON SALE: August 

September 28 : Seattle WA 
September 29 : Tacoma / Olympia WA
September 30 : Eugene / Medford OR 

REGIONS OF INTEREST:
Cities outlined above are just suggestions. We are open to any and all submissions – even if you don’t live in a major metropolis. We hope to book more shows for Steve + Diane, so let us know what regions we should visit next!

A few things to consider…

1. LOCATION
In the past we’ve booked all kinds of spaces. It can be residential, commercial, community, or any other space where you can host a private gathering. Bonus points for being centrally located! The space should comfortably and safely hold a minimum of 35 people. Show us what you got!

There needs to be street parking, a parking garage, or public transportation nearby so guests can access your space easily. Before you offer to host a show, please check with your neighbors to confirm they’re ok with a bunch of extra people coming over. It would be a huge bummer if someone called the cops because of all the extra cars and people.

2. CAPACITY
Be realistic. This is the number of tickets we put on sale. Please keep in mind when determining your capacity, you get five free tickets for friends that won’t be included in the ticketed capacity. The capacity you tell us will be the number of tickets we put on sale. EXAMPLE: If we sell 50 tickets and you invite 5 guests, there will be 55 people at the show.

3. TICKET PRICE
Ticket price will be $25. Everyone must buy tickets in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door. There will be no reselling or third-party tickets sales. All tickets sales are direct to fans from Undertow. Limit 4 tickets per person. These shows usually sell out quickly and we want everyone to have a fair opportunity to buy tickets.

4. GUEST LIST
On show night we’ll provide the host with a list of everyone coming to the show. The host is primarily needed to check people off the list as they arrive. The host won’t have to handle any money since tickets are bought in advance. We ask guests to arrive between 7:15-7:45pm to check-in for 8pm shows.

5. FREE TICKETS FOR HOSTS
The host gets 5 additional free tickets for the show. If you have other friends beyond your 5 guests who want to come to the show you should direct them buy tickets online.

6. PROMOTING THE SHOW
Undertow Shows are promoted on Undertow’s websites, social media, mailing lists, and by word-of-mouth. We rely on hosts to help us spread the word on their local level. Social media posts are more than sufficient.

Please don’t post your home address. The show address only goes to guests after they purchase tickets. In addition to respecting your privacy, we need to keep the show locations private so random folks don’t show up and party-crash.

7. SOUND SYSTEM & LIGHTING
You don’t need a sound system. Most of the shows are totally acoustic. But some artists bring along a small sound system if they’re playing electric instruments. If they need access to an electrical outlet or power strip, we’ll let you know.

You don’t need any special lighting. But it would be great if you had some kind of ambient lighting like a lamp on coffee table, floor lamp, or overhead lights with a dimmer to help create a cozy mood.

8. SEATING
You don’t need seating for everyone. If you have a bunch of chairs – great! But most shows are floor seating and we let guests know they should bring folding chair, cushion, or pillow to sit on during the show.

9. OPENING ARTISTS
We don’t have openers at these shows. It’s much easier for us to keep things simple and stay on schedule if it’s just one artist playing. We’re also trying to keep the amount of time guests are in your space to a minimum.

10. FRIENDLY PETS
We love dogs and cats, we really do! But an excitable pet running around during the show can be distracting for the guests and performers. If you have curious and friendly 4-legged family members, would you be ok with putting them in another part of the house or sending them to a friend’s house during the show?

If all that sounds ok,
PLEASE FILL IN ALL FIELDS BELOW

Address where the show will be hosted
Street addresss
Apartment or unit number
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
How many people do you think you can host? Please keep in mind when determining your capacity, you get five free tickets for friends that won't be included in the ticketed capacity. The capacity you tell us will be the number of tickets we put on sale. For EXAMPLE: If we sell 50 tickets and you invite 5 guests, there will be 55 people at the show.
Your space does not have to be ADA accessible to host, however it is a major bonus. If your space isn't fully ADA accessible, please let us know about the entrance (front door, back door, steps, handrails, etc).
If you are renting your home or space, do you have permission from your landlord to host this show?
Do you have permission from everyone who lives in your home, or works at the space, to host this show?
We are still advocating for strong COVID precautions at Undertow Shows. Would you prefer guests to wear masks during the performance?
It's totally cool if you don't want people to bring alcohol and we're happy to pass that info on to guests. If you are ok with a BYOB event, this is what we tell guests: "The host is allowing attendees to bring a few beers or a bottle of wine to enjoy at the show. But please remember that this is a low-key intimate acoustic performance - NOT a party. Please pick up after yourself you when you leave.
If you're confirmed as the host, can we tag you in our social media promotional posts for the tour?
If you're ok with us tagging you in our social media posts - please indicate which platforms you use AND supply your handles in the corresponding fields.
Let us know where guests should park (street parking, nearby lot or garage parking, public transit stops, etc)
Let us know where the performer should park (drive way, reserved space, street parking, etc)
Let us know what sort of seating situation you have; chairs for everyone, a few chairs, couches, mostly floor seating, etc. If it's mostly floor seating we'll let guests know to bring a pillow or cushion to sit on during the show.
Anything else you want us to know?

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Please read the and accept the agreement below.

Thank you for agreeing to host this performance for Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen (ARTIST). We are excited to work together with you (HOST) to make this a successful, safe and enjoyable evening for everyone involved. Please read over this to make sure we are in agreement on how things will work for the show.

WE agree to provide one musical performance by ARTIST, approximately 60 to 90 minutes in length. Unless otherwise stated, the HOST will not need to provide a sound system.

HOST agrees to provide the venue in good working order, clean, safe and well lighted.

WE agree to handle all admission charges and that the HOST will not be responsible for paying ARTIST.

HOST agrees that the venue can adequately and safely accommodate and agreed number of guests.

HOST agrees that no other musical acts will appear without prior written consent.

HOST agrees that the venue will not change without prior written consent.

HOST agrees to notify their neighbors about this event and that the HOST has no reason to believe that this event will cause undue stress on the community or neighborhood.

HOST and ARTIST will be responsible for checking guests in at the door. WE will provide the HOST with a list of people that have paid for admission to this performance. If anyone arrives at the venue that is not on the provided list, the HOST will not allow this person in unless they are a previously invited, complimentary guest of ARTIST or of the HOST.

WE agree that the HOST is not responsible for providing food or refreshments to ARTIST or anyone in attendance.

WE agree that we will work together with the HOST to make sure that no one enters the venue with any food or drinks unless the HOST has agreed to this in advance.

WE agree to work together with the HOST to make sure that any inappropriate behavior by guests is stopped, and if necessary, WE will work together with the HOST to ask uncooperative guests to leave.

HOST understands that ARTIST may sell merchandise at the venue, including but not limited to Vinyl, CDs, Shirts.

WE agree to work together with the HOST to make sure all guests leave before 10pm or within 30 minutes of the end of the performance. The HOST understands that ARTIST is not obligated to remain at the venue after all the guests have left.

WE agree that if necessary, WE will be in charge of any necessary refunds.

It is understood that this agreement is only between the HOST and ARTIST and that Undertow assumes no liability.

If you, the HOST, agree to everything we've outlined here, please digitally sign by agreeing and accepting below. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about this or anything else, please do not hesitate to call or email us so we can sort things out quickly.

Sending