Gig 21 was one i had
been offered quite last minute by organisers Andy Woolston, Jed Salisbury and i
think there was also input from Thom Milson. It was to be held in Hull at
Hartley’s tap a venue in the nice part of Hull.... there is one.. honest!
I travelled with a
couple of the HOWL guys Si Finnigan and Michael Sterret and of course my proud
supporter Vikki (well i think she is proud) also on the bill were Mc Andy
Woolston, Jed Salisbury, Rich Austin, Steve Rimmer and Thom Milson to headline
in essence as he had a lot of friends from home (being from Hull or at least
having lived there)
The trip was preceded
by a lunch date with Vik (we are actually spending more time together!!! And enjoying
it) then i picked up my 2 passengers and headed off to Hull in the sunshine. It
was a short trip when compared with Cradley Heath or Chester but still an hours
drive.
Arriving at the venue
we were pleased to see it was a lovely set up with Jed and Andy already waiting
for us they were concerned as there was seating for about 45 and they were
expecting around 65 people. For me personally the pre gig nerves began as soon
as i saw the room, i look forward to a day that i don’t get these nerves but i
imagine that when that day comes there will be a little something missing from the
whole experience.
Guests filtered in and
the boys were not wrong, 60 plus crammed into every available seat (i felt
guilty trying to reserve a nice seat for Vikki so we relinquished the comfy
sofa and she sat on her own.... which she does not mind doing) Steve and Rich
are guys i have never gigged with or met before so i became briefly acquainted
with them before the show began.
Andy kicked off the
show with natural charm and confident delivery he showed qualities that make
him very likable, and was at one point leading a full audience participation rendition
of the whole theme from fresh prince, which was quality. Jed was the opening
act and as ever filled the room with energy as he landed every joke to
perfection, Jed is funny even between jokes and has audiences loving every
minute of his set.
Next up was Si
Finnigan, Si has a dry manor which allows him to pluck punch lines from nowhere
and grab a laugh just when it is required, his set includes some dark moments that
tickle the audience’s mischievous side, a great end to the 1st
section.
2nd section
was to start with me but not before Andy had returned the crowd to ‘warm’ with
a brilliant excerpt from his set.
On i went and although
it was a nervy start i was providing the right kind of jokes for this crowd and
i settled into my set however i missed some of my newer jokes off simply
forgetting them!! I built up steadily to my Dublin routine and i think it went
ok, they were a very friendly audience and although not everyone was laughing
the ones that were seemed to be really enjoying it. I finished on a new joke, a
cheap simple knob gag but one i came up with while MCing at madness of king
George. As i left the stage and for the next 5 or 6 mins i was taking stock of
my set, it hadn’t sunk in if i had done well or not but one thing is for sure,
i really really enjoyed it. The other acts politely acknowledged my set with
the customary hand shake and pat on the back, i say customary this does not
occur if you die on stage, almost as if another comic would catch shitness if
they did!!! So i was pleased.
Following me was Steve
Rimmer (the only working bomb disposal expert comedian) unfortunately i can not
remember much from his set as i was still reflecting upon my own but what i did
catch i enjoyed.
Michael Sterret was
next, a man that kind of looks like a maths tutor and speaks with an endearing
Northern Irish tone but delivers utter darkness, i felt i was watching
something special. He just hits you repeatedly with this darkness almost like a
Thai massage, in that it’s a little uncomfortable but so so good. It was an act
that both audience and the other acts thoroughly enjoyed.
There was one more
break then the final section. Rich Austin was next, he had a Venn diagram which
formed the best part of his set for me, it was about his kids and One Direction
and it was cleverly constructed, i enjoyed the set.
Time for the final
act, Thom was doing some new stuff and some stuff i have seen before. He weaved
between the stories keeping the fresh mixed with the older stuff and kept the
audience on their toes. His jokes come from a place in his mind that
personifies self loathing meaning he is often the butt of the joke, but there
are also jokes that attack, the movie face off one victim.... tbh i think any
John Woo film could be attacked!!! A great end to a superb night in which all
acts did well. The audience got some good quality performances so i hope they
left feeling they had had a great night.
I hope Jed and Andy pursue the night as a regular
event. Next for me is Comedy Balloon Manchester
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