I rather take it that the "house concert" idea is a small concert in a private house with admission by invitation.   

It'd probably be illegal in freedom-loving England now, under the new Licensing regulations, unless a licence had been obtained in advance. Definitely would, if any kind of payment for attending was involved.

That doesn't mean they won't develop here. A bit of illegality never stops people enjoying themselves when they've a mind to. Musical shebeens...