12 Melb Comedy Festivals Shows That Will Make You Howl W/ Laughter
If you live in Melbourne then you’ll know that the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the funnest four weeks of the year.
Not only do the best of the best comedians from around the world migrate to Melbourne but we get to check out all the different Aussie comedians in one convenient place.
This year’s festival has already hosted the grand return of Hannah Gadsby in her followup to Nanette, and while Hannah’s Douglas run is over there’s plenty more shows that are a legit must-see. We’ve got you covered, fam.
Here are 12 Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows to catch before the festival ends!
#1. Maria Bamford, The Irrelevant Redundancy
Here for the first time since 2011, Maria is a standup legend and off the back of Netflix’s Lady Dynamite and her own cult web series The Maria Bamford Show, she is an absolute must-see this fest. Her show is as bonkers as you can imagine, covering her marriage, her sex life and religion, all packed with countless zany characters.
Buy tickets here.
#2. Ed Knight, An Aesthetic
If you like comedy that keeps you thinking long after you step out of the venue, then UK comedy sensation Ed Night is for you. Presenting an insightful hour of comedy that’s not only hilarious but fearless, An Aesthetic is deeply personal standup at its best.
Buy tickets here.
#3. Fern Brady, Power and Chaos
This comedian is about to explode. Already making appearances on UK shows Live from the BBC and The Russell Howard Hour, Scottish comic Fern is as witty as they come. Her set tackles all kinds of themes from feminism to Brexit to baby animal videos, all of which are intimately relatable.
Buy tickets here.
#4. Phil Wang, Philly Philly Wang Wang
Phil Wang is a deep thinker presented in the body of a bit of a goof. He makes fart jokes while simultaneously roasting the expectations related to mixed British-Malaysian heritage and making light of the stupid double standards society dictates about women. It’s incredibly good shit.
Buy tickets here.
#5. Demi Lardner, Ditch Witch
A Demi show is the kind of comedy gig where you have no idea what’s happening or how you got there, but what you do know is that you never want to leave. Demi is arguably the most exciting name in absurd comedy in Australia and Ditch Witch unleashes even more unhinged characters that’ll make you laugh until you cry.
Buy tickets here.
#6. Tom Walker, Very Very
Speaking of unhinged, Tom’s shows just seem to get weirder and weirder and 2019 is no different. This year’s show is a mime show, although it’s very much not a mime show but just go with it. You’ll prob never look at a Uniqlo puffer jacket the same again.
Buy tickets here.
#7. Demi Lardner & Tom Walker, We Mustn’t
Can’t choose between Demi or Tom? Well, you could go to both OR hit up We Musn’t – a show the two friends are doing TOGETHER this festival season. It promises to be the most bonkers thing you’ll see in a long time as the two comics play young twin brothers left alone at home. It’s going to get weird.
Buy tickets here.
#8. Double Denim, A Very Fancy Dinner Party
The latest show from Michelle Brasier and Laura Frew, aka Double Denim, is a perfect parody of reality television that’s part My Kitchen Rules, part The Hunger Games. Osher Günsberg and James Mathison are just some of the characters who pop up in this manic hour of sketch comedy that’s daggy, deranged and downright hilarious. Plus there’s a great song about cheese.
Buy tickets here.
#9. Nikki Britton, Once Bitten
The comic has exploded in the Aussie comedy scene in the last five years because of her unfathomable fast wit and enthralling storytelling. Back with Once Bitten, Nikki is ball of nonstop energy with painfully relatable material, which will make you laugh your face right off.
Buy tickets here.
#10. Jack Tucker, Comedy Standup Hour
Comedian (actual name Zach Zucker) is turning what to expect from an obnoxious American comic show into his own show as ‘the world’s worst American standup comedian’. It’s an hour of absurdist, standup comedy that’s so much fun and will leave you howling.
Buy tickets here.
#11. Steph Tisdale, The Pyramid
Best Newcomer Nominee and Deadly Funny Winner Steph Tisdell is back with a new show that’s equally hilarious and enlightening. Steph asks us to reevaluate where we all sit on the pyramid, a measure for success and there are lols for days.
Buy tickets here.
#12. Anne Edmonds, What’s Wrong With You?
Anne has been a staple on the Aussie comedy scene for almost a decade, but she’s taken things to the next level in the last couple of years with her own ABC series The Edge Of The Bush as well as truly bonkers appearances on Get Krack!n as fashion guru Helen Bidou, which she turned into a MICF sensation last year. She’s back this time as herself and her self-deprecating humour is more hilarious than ever.
Buy tickets here.
–
Find out more info and check out all the different shows here.