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I fancy booking a stand-up comedy night out, but I'm waaaay out of touch on who's good these days.
Saw a LOT back in the 90s and 00s. My favourites included Bill Bailey, Sean Lock (RIP), Dylan Moran & Tim Vine.
Who's made you laugh, and bonus points if they are touring in the coming months.
🙂
Last two I've seen were Bill Bsiley and Dermot O'Brien, but not sure those tours are still on.
Bill's got nothing lined-up, sadly. He was my top choice.
He's still v funny, I assume?
Saw Jack Dee recently. Grumpy, dry, nothing overly controversial but incredibly funny!
It probably depends where you live and who's on tour. I haven't seen any for ages but I used to love going to the Stand in Newcastle on a Wednesday night and seeing around 10 acts for £2. You'd get a mixture of total beginners, seasoned pros who you've never heard of and usually a surprise headliner.
Check for a local venue and see if they do anything similar.
We saw Frankie Boyle at The Stand on Monday, it was a work in progress show but he's going out on a proper tour very soon. Made me want to go to more gigs, lucky to have The Stand and The Monkey Barrel in Edinburgh so just need to make more of an effort. Going to see Janey Godley in a few weeks all being well.
He’s still v funny, I assume?
Oh yes.
David O'Doherty is always good and is on tour.
Suzie Ruffel, though not sure if she's on tour at the moment.
John Robins has just released tour dates.
Saw Bert Kreischer the other weekend, brilliant show!
Got Tom Segura and a couple others booked later in the year but also missing a few I would like to see due to the terrible state the trains are in, a gig is already a few hundred £ for us so the added hassle of spending ages trying to get to London and missed ferry connections is not always worth it
Stewart Lee's latest show is very much aimed at Stewart Lee fans. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Simon Munnery is touring at the moment. Saw his Alan Parker farewell show, which was fantastic. Not sure what the current tour is but saw a work in progress last year which was great if chaotic. Both from the 90s so not exactly new but still very good
Machynlleth Comedy festival have started releasing tickets. Loads of good acts and a great chance to see new acts in the show cases. All pretty cheap, especially by stadium comedian standards. Take the bike and make a long weekend of it
If you like Tim Vine, Gary Delaney is touring atm.
I saw Mark Simmons before Christmas, I believe hecs still on tour. Very good one liners and on the spot improv.
Going to see Gary Delaney this Sunday and I've tickets for Troy Hawke next month.
I try to go for smaller names as generally tickers are £20-30 or less and are good for a night of propped laughs.
Always slightly disappointed by Bill Bailey at the couple live shows I've seen - a good chuckle but nothing that'll make be proper laugh. My mates enjoyed it though. Been to a few big stadium tours, Michael Mcintyre, jack Dee etc. & Big theatre nights Jimmy Carr - but I find I get just as much value out of smaller local gigs which are significantly cheaper.
Stewart Lee is great, as is Daniel Kitson, no idea if they are performing at moment though
Going to see Gary Delaney this Sunday and I’ve tickets for Troy Hawke next month.
My two current favourite comedians - I am considering going by myself to see GD in Harrogate as they only have two single tickets left.
Not the biggest fan of stand up but enjoyed seeing Tim Vine a few years ago.
I got dragged to see Harry Hill on tour late last year (think tour is still on). I didn't know what to expect but I would say there were moments of surrealistic comedy genius and some low points which didn't quite hit the spot for me. Overall glad I went.
Not the biggest fan of stand up but enjoyed seeing Tim Vine a few years ago.
I saw him doing his Plastic Elvis routine. What a waste of money that was – tbf, I didn't quite know what to expect but I assumed there would be *some* comedy laced up with the Elvis stuff (and he does have a pretty decent 'Elvis' voice) but nope.
Yes I saw him being interviewed about that, the interviewer couldn't seem to believe him when he said he was doing a straight non comedic Elvis tribute show!
He should possibly stick to what he's best at, quickfire puns.
Saw Ricky Gervais in Glasgow last night. Brutal and cutting as expected but perhaps more 'jaysus you can't say that' moments and less belly laughs than you'd get with other comedians. Still funny and well worth seeing.
I'd second Daniel Kitson. He's playing at the Trades Club in Hebden in Feb (20th and 27th) - tickets on sale tomorrow.
Work in progress shows but only a fiver, so if you're local-ish well worth it.
Always slightly disappointed by Bill Bailey at the couple live shows I’ve seen – a good chuckle but nothing that’ll make be proper laugh.
I saw him at a work event a few years ago, and although entertaining, I'd seen his whole act on TV previously. Maybe he didn't do anything new because it was a corporate thing.
The last comedian I saw live was Rhod Gilbert's Book of John tour which was very, very funny. He had the whole crowd roaring with laughter while describing the funeral of one of his parents. (Very local to us which started the hilarity and swearing!) The background to the show is him losing a parent, putting one in a nursing home and having a health crisis himself. Not the best basis for a comedy show but, you know, Rhod Gilbert. 😀
Pre-covid I watched a lot of live stuff at the Comedy Store, Frog & Bucket and the arena tour comedians. I haven't done much over the last 12 months but I will give two quick reviews:
I got a free ticket to watch Alan Partridge at Manchester Arena. It was dreadful - I genuinely started nodding off.
Clinton Baptiste vs Ramone. Clinton is the "Pyskick" on Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights. It was very very good. His podcast is worth a listen.
Gary Delaney is a great shout. I missed out on the local theatre, gutted.
Russel Kane is always good value for laughs and seems to be constantly touring.
Not touring at the minute (and doesn't do so very often), but deffo get to see Greg Davies doing stand up if you get the chance.
Russel Howard touring in the spring. Another Russel who is consistently good live.
Saw Jack Dee recently. Grumpy, dry, nothing overly controversial but incredibly funny!
I too saw Jack Dee relatively recently. Expectations were fairly low. Was very, very funny. Real sucker punch, unexpected punchline stuff.
Saw John Richardson the other night. Pretty much as expected. If you like him on 8 out of 10 do countdown, you’ll like his show
We saw Frankie Boyle at The Stand on Monday, it was a work in progress show but he’s going out on a proper tour very soon
We've got tickets booked for the tour. We're off to see Dave Spikey next week. We've seen him before and he's absolutely brilliant live.
I think the funniest stand up I've seen live was Kevin Bridges. I was literally aching from laughing
I'm off to see Randy Feltface next month in Leeds - very funny and a little surreal to watch a purple Australian puppet
I saw Rachel Parris a little while back and she was excellent. Really funny, her songs are great.
We saw Harry Hill. He's probably a bit 'safe' as the show was definitely family friendly, not crude or sweary. But, I really enjoyed his show. Not sure when he's touring again.
I’m off to see Randy Feltface next month in Leeds
As are we, though not in Leeds. Rawtenstall I think.
I saw Rob Newman in one of the lulls between covid lockdowns and he made me cry with laughter. He’s got an archived show on bbc sounds if you want to give him a try and I think I remember seeing that he was about to start a tour.
Check out Bobby Mair, Tom Ward (is touring), Sean McLoughlin, Ivo Graham. Judy Love is great live, very filthy as is Kiri Pritchard Mclean
Ticket for Gary Delaney bought - it will be a bit weird going to a standup by myself but I’ll have a few beers and probably really enjoy myself.
A club in Matlock does a comedy night first Friday of every month (not this month due to refurb). It's part of the Manfords Comedy Club franchise, so will be all over varioius smallish towns at a guess. Jason's brother Colin sometimes comperes.
There's a compere and three comedians - don't think you know who in advance, but we never check anyway. The compere is usually good value and generally at least two of the comedians are pretty hilarious (occassionally one that maybe misses the mark slightly). Sometimes you'll get a blinder and they are all amazing - the last one though, we'd had enough after the 2nd comedian and left at the interval. So a bit of pot luck and I'll be buggered if I can remember any names, but it's decent enough for us to keep going back
Saw Jimmy Carr a short while ago.
Wife bought tickets for my birthday pre covid and the postponed show finally came round.
Usually take a mate as she’s not keen , but I think she laughed more than I did.
His interactions with some members of the audience were the highlight of the show 😀
A club in Matlock does a comedy night first Friday of every month (not this month due to refurb). It’s part of the Manfords Comedy Club franchise, so will be all over varioius smallish towns at a guess. Jason’s brother Colin sometimes comperes.
I know Colin, he hosted (or used to? I've not been for a while) a local pub quiz in Oswaldtwistle.
Thanks for the awesome response. Some good ideas in there. I'll see if I can check some of them out on YouTube.
The Manfords night in Chorley is on my list actually, but the next one's not for a while.
chevychase
Free Member
http://jerrysadowitz.com//blockquote >Saw him in Aberdeen recently. Front row centre.
Just a stream of consciousness for 80 minutes. Filthy abuse and obscenities distilled into a kind of art form. He makes Frankie Boyle look like a nun.
Thing is, as you watch him, you can see the man behind the show. He clearly has something to say. He makes valid comments on society. His show was beautifully tight. It came round nicely and he tied off and closed out everything he'd brought up previously.
Very, very funny. The man is a genius.
As a bonus, he's also a world class magician. He's an absolute master of card tricks. Throw that in with his unique humour and you've got an amazing evening's entertainment. I've never been so fascinated by anyone on stage in front of me.
Stuart Lee is touring now and he's definitely up there as a must see.
I'd be intrigued to see Jerry, but can't see him being my GF's cup of char.
😀
I’m off to see Randy Feltface next month in Leeds – very funny and a little surreal to watch a purple Australian puppet
I'd make the effort to go see a Randy Feltface gig - 'Randy buys a bookcase off gumtree' is one of the best 20 minutes on YouTube in my opinion.
I saw Jerry Sadowitz ooh, about 20 years ago... it was weird. He just did card tricks. Still brilliant, but unexpected.
Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms, was incredible back then - Jerry, Harry Hill, Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Phil Kay, Eddie Izzard, Sean Hughes, Mark Watson saw em all. One of the best was Chris Lynam, absolutely nuts.
I just checked and the chortle website is still active - good way to search for stuff in your area
https://www.chortle.co.uk/
Youtube Hot Water Comedy Club, Paul Smith is making me laugh a lot at the moment so currently planning a trip up to see him. He's the compare for a few big names who appear by the looks.
I was also bought tickets for Dara O Briain next month in Brum, going with an open mind as I'm not sure about some of his stand-up that I've seen on TV...
Daniel Kitson is a genius. He's about to do a few "work in progress" shows, which will be him trying out ideas and ad libbing, but nevertheless great, and cheap at a fiver. And probably in small venues.
Another view would be "support your local random art student weirdness". I went to a cabaret/clown night above a pub before Christmas, dragged along by a friend. It was strange and lovely and unique. Half the people in the crowd of maybe 75 people were clearly regulars, cheering on the in-jokes. Amazing sense of community.
I’d be intrigued to see Jerry, but can’t see him being my GF’s cup of char.
There were plenty of women at the show. He's not offensive to women. He's offensive to everyone! 😄
Watched a Gary Delaney set on YouTube last night, very funny.
Tickets booked (but not til June), cheers.
There were plenty of women at the show. He’s not offensive to women. He’s offensive to everyone!
I didn't think he was sexist, just probably a bit strong for her taste.
Just a follow up after seeing Gary Delaney last month who was great, wife wasn't happy we had brought 16yr old daughter though 😂 apparently Gary thought Stroud could handle his rudest set!
Troy Hawke in Bristol at the weekend was funny, a ladybird landed on him in the first half which produced some of his best improv.
Just booked for Phil Wang in Cheltenham in June.
nickjb
Stewart Lee’s latest show is very much aimed at Stewart Lee fans.
Find it hard to picture him ditching that approach and trying to appeal to the masses.
Not much recently, but we've just booked to see Mark Steele at the Hafren in Newtown. The last comedy gig we went to, a good 18 month ago was Rich Hall who was very, very funny. Love Stewart Lee but never seen him live, I might have to remedy that.
Stewart Lee’s latest show is very much aimed at Stewart Lee fans. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Whereas we thought it was a huge pile of steaming piss, but then we are not Stewart Lee fans & can't really see why anyone would be.
but then we are not Stewart Lee fans & can’t really see why anyone would be.
I understand the first part of that, but not the second. I can't believe you are genuinely surprised that some people like different things to you? Just comedy or do you find differing tastes in music, food, sport, fashion equally baffling? Life must be very confusing for you🤔😉
Find it hard to picture him ditching that approach and trying to appeal to the masses.
Well, yes, he's not going to chuck it all in and start playing to the Michael MacIntyre crowd, but his new Basic Lee show is more of a friendly chat with his fans than his usual thing
Love Stewart Lee but never seen him live, I might have to remedy that.
Do it. He's great live (if you like him 🙂 ). He also only usually plays small venues for a better atmosphere and often reasonable price.
Saw the I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue tour the other night, interesting to see it even though it was billed as a "Greatest Hits" show.
Sadly Samantha couldn't make it....
@blokeuptheroad I can't see why anyone would be a fan of a comedian that just isn't funny, that alright with you 😉
Found it very much akin to the office, oh you just don't get it blah blah & stretching out jokes for ever, having to explain jokes & trying oh so hard to be clever, just dull & boring really.
Stand-ups Ive seen locally that you may have heard of:
Katherine Ryan - (a few years ago) Her stand-up is a bit hit-and-miss, particularly when she ventures into political jokes. She's much better when with others. I wouldn't rush back.
Henning Wehn - (Nov 22) What you'd expect, playing on his accent and nationality, but very good when sailing close to the wind. Definitely worthwhile.
Ricky Gervais - (Feb 23) Loves pushing the boundaries and deliberately going over them "for academic purposes", with some proper belly-aching laughs, made even betterer if you're next to someone who doesn't find it funny (why did they go?). 99% brilliant.
Russell Howard - (Mar 23) Don't know yet, he's often good on telly; I'll report back tomorrow.
We saw Janey Godley and her daughter Ashley Storrie at the weekend. Too late to see Janey now but I would recommend seeing Ashley if you get the chance.
Dara Ó Briain, last wednesday, fantastic live
Jim Jeffries tonight
Jim Jeffries tonight
My face is still sore from laughing. Last night was actually the first gig of his new tour and all brand new material. I'm assuming he's playing the rest of the UK. Highly recommended if he's your type of comedian
Russell Howard... I’ll report back tomorrow.
Well he was bloomin' excellent. He can read the crowd, is surprisingly at home and relaxed on stage and is incredibly smart when going off piste then bringing it back on topic.
He sometimes does the Billy Connolly thing where he suddenly thinks of something really funny but is laughing too much to say it out loud. 😀
I saw Gary Delaney a couple of weeks ago – he was very, very funny. He keeps adding extra dates to his tour (Gary in Plunderland) so worth looking out for.
It was Machynlleth Comedy Festival the the weekend (without the Dyfi Enduro) so we got in quite a few excellent live acts. Stand outs were probably Christopher Bliss (Superb character comedy) and Mike Wozniak (Wonderful rambling story about his great aunt Zusa). Both thoroughly recommended if you like the alternative end of comedy.