John Gibson
The Likes Of Me
Greenside Riddles Ct
10:30am (seen in preview)
Surprisingly polished for an early debut preview, a compelling and punchline drenched show from someone who should emerge from under the radar this year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@SandyFootwells
Danny O’Brien
Killa-Dan-Jaro
The Beehive 1
5:15pm
O’Brien brings charisma by the bucketload but don’t let that detract from the fact that he also knows his way around a joke too.
Star quality with weight and heft behind it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
@ScotComFest
Ross Leslie
Has The Chance To Do The Funniest Thing
West Port Oracle
5pm
In a unique venue we sit in aircraft chairs listening to a skilful classic storyteller in Leslie. He packs in punchlines and gives you an hour of rock solid laughs.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@rosslesliecomic
Jake Donaldson
Spectacle
The Mash House Attic
6:40pm
A honed show on one subject can be a delight and this exploration of Donaldson’s sight issues is just that.
A fibrous hour with some unique touches that add sizzle to steak.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@DonaldsonComedy @Justthetonic
Lauren Stone
Cool For Cats
Stand 4
5.25pm
Knowing, silly and packed with heart. Stone is uncategorisable and there is too little of that around. A real find.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
@lstone345@StandComedyClub
Raymond Mearns @RaymondMearns
Had a Stroke Of Luck
Beehive 2 @ScotComFest
7pm
Easy to see why Mearns is loved by fellow comedians, he gets weekend club sized laughs from the tale a tough time.
⭐️⭐���⭐️⭐️
Sean Turner
Pythonesque Comedy by a Dry Surreal Geordie Bloke who has ADHD
Canon’s Gait
7pm
Not for everyone but if you latch on and get on his wavelength you might find a new favourite.
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
@turnerthecomic@PBHFest
Joe Wells
Daddy Autism
Banshee Labyrinth
Noon
Wells is a big hearted and deft performer with a rare understated charisma.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@joewellscomic@B_Labyrinth
Elaine Robertson
Delulu
Stand 4
12.05pm
Blistering run through every emotion in a show that is less a debut and more a statement of thrilling intent.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@elainerobz@StandComedyClub
James Cook
Anonymously Viral
32 Below Main Cellar
6:45pm
The sort of reliable circuit act that shouldn’t be allowed to fly under the radar. Cook has well honed and valuable skills on display here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@jamesecook @lhcomedy
Deage Paxton
Inappropriate
Counting House Attic
10:30pm
Paxton has added light to his pitch black palate and is all the better for it. Plays with the line before skilfully and happily jumping over it double footed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@DeagePaxton@lhcomedy@CountingHouseEd
Sam Adamson & Jon Hipkiss
..Free And Happening Right Now!
Carbon
10:30pm
Two acts who aren’t without promise but are stretching ten minute sets to a half hour each. They have every chance to do something interesting in the future but this is too much too soon.
⭐️⭐️ I/2
Deage Paxton
Inappropriate
Counting House Attic
10:30pm
Paxton has added light to his pitch black palate and is all the better for it. Plays with the line before skilfully and happily jumping over it double footed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@DeagePaxton@lhcomedy@CountingHouseEd
Chris Cross
Not Playing With A Full Deck
Voodoo Rooms Ballroom
10:30pm
Cross can do all of the tricks you expect him to do and is no doubt a big hit at corporate parties.
But the old hat ‘banter’, arrogance and contrived gimmickry of his persona make this a queasy watch.
⭐️
John Robertson
The Human Hurricane
Counting House Ballroom
8:20pm
Improvised crowd work but this is not your average Tik Tok compere. Robertson is somehow both utterly unpredictable and the safest pair of hands at the same time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
@Robbotron
Best In Class
Three Sisters - Maggie’s Chamber
7pm
The most important of the compilation shows at the festival, Sian Davies has compiled line ups of working class comedians who wouldn’t otherwise be here and the line ups are stellar.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
@lhcomedy @morriseysquiff
Jo Caulfield
Pearls Before Swine
Stand 3 @StandComedyClub
7:10pm
It’s time to start calling Jo Caulfield what she is. One of the best comedians these Isles have produced. We must not take her excellence for granted.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cal Halbert
Calcaholic
Beehive 2
8.15pm
Powerful and surprisingly personal from Halbert, usually an impressionist, who reveals more of himself than expected in this bleak yet hopeful hour. No stone is unturned in both its honesty and quest for laughs from the gut.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️