Two preview shows for a damned fine price. Connor is definitely the bigger draw. He's almost sold out his entire Fringe run already, including three shows at the 3,000-seater Edinburgh Playhouse. Chris's shows have yet to sell out for any dates.
Chris's show is called Father Christmas, where he intends to bring the seasonal ho-ho-ho's rather than regular ha-ha-ha's. Intriguingly, it is a show he can perform at any time, except Christmas, and it has been sixteen years in the making. It's your typical Edinburgh show. No spoilers here, though.
One laugh I could recall: At Christmas, the family like to play party games, such as charades. Every year like clockwork, his father would mime the same film by unzipping his fly - "Free Willy". He then tops the joke by revealing all the wrong answers they had prepared, such as "The Color Purple", amongst others.
After the interval, Connor goes through his set.
For a show titled "Flow", it's far from finished, but it is very funny, covering the topics: the World Cup, Customer Service, the airline losing his case, his fiancée going to get her eyebrows done then getting her fanny lasered too. He also talks about willies. He closes on the story of the bloody haemorrhoids he experienced after moving in with his girlfriend during Covid.
We saw his WIP for last year's Edinburgh show, and that was more developed than this one. Let's hope he finds his flow before the Fringe begins (but hey, that's the nature of works in progress).
Sneak Peek All-Star Edinburgh Fringe Previews Don't miss your chance to see some of the UK’s best headlining comedians - off notes and off adrenaline! Comedy stars including Connor Burns, Craig Hill and Kai Humphries, Chris Forbes, Kim Blythe plus more!
Please note these shows are still a work in progress; there will be some strong language, and although they might not be slick, they sure will be funny! Join us for a night - or two! - of uproarious and laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy.*
Thursday 23 July 2026 - Kai Humphries, Daniel Petrie and Connor Burns
Friday 24 July 2026 - Kai Humphries, Daniel Petrie and Craig Hill
Saturday 25 July 2026 - Kim Blythe, Daniel Petrie, Jack Brookmyre
Sunday 26 July 2026 - Chris Forbes and Connor Burns
Age Recommendation: 16+ (no babes in arms)
Tickets: £15
*£2.50 transaction fee applies
* Line-up may be subject to change at late notice*
When the email for this "secret gig" popped into my Inbox, I worried it was a scam. I still bought them, because I'm a comedy mug. I ended up buying four tickets, as Bob's wife and daughter also wanted to see him (my wife didn't).
Then, on the night, I feared I'd cocked up the date, as a notice board next to the bar listed Daniel Sloss as appearing on Wednesday, with Robin Grainger down for Thursday. My fears were assuaged, however, by the billboard above the doors to the basement.
Daniel explained on stage that he'd had two months off, and was due to perform in Boston next month, so he felt he'd better sharpen up his material before he flew out. The only problem was he couldn't remember which jokes he'd cut from the set and put online, so he decided to start afresh. Such was the context of tonight's WIP.
The core of the show revolves around him admitting he is addicted to weed, the MOST NON-ADDICTIVE DRUG THERE IS. He's done all the others with no problem, but with weed, he could lose six weeks chain-smoking from day to night. Not in a stoner kind of way. As a compulsion, hiding and lying and going behind his wife's back.
This thread worked well as he explained the journey he'd taken and why he hated himself for it. I enjoyed seeing the craft, with him telling a story, getting a moderate laugh and deciding he'd never tell that one again. Or decide he'd run over the punchline and next time would end the joke earlier on the bigger laugh. Normally, he appears super-in-control, a word-perfect comic on his tour shows. This was a nice reminder that what appears effortless takes a lot of work.
Well worth a tenner plus booking fee.
Secret show Ticket Price: £10 plus £1 Booking Fee per ticket
Scott's lurgy had developed from a sore throat into a full-blown respiratory infection, so he remained in bed on Sunday, skipping breakfast and missing out on the last day of the festival.
Velvet Rush were first on. I heard their soundcheck from the barrier and was alarmed by how Sandra's vocals were being drowned out by the band. I could hear her, but she sounded unamplified. The festival had been plagued with sound issues over the weekend, especially during the opening songs. I hoped they sorted out the problem quickly when they were playing for real, as it were.
I needn't have worried. Sandra's vocals were powerful and crystal clear. The band were tight, and I adored the music. Big thumbs up.
It nearly never happened, though. British Airways mislaid their equipment. Fortunately, The Almighty stepped in to loan them theirs. This also meant they had no merch to sell either; otherwise, I'd have been tempted to queue for the meet-and-greet. They did promise a UK tour next year, so hopefully they'll come to Scotland.
Nature of the Beast
Thrilled by Rock n Roll
Queen Horizon did nothing for me, so I headed back to the Inferno stage for Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts. They are a fun American rock band. I quickly warmed to Tuk's humour, promising they did not rip off Thin Lizzy for their song East Side of Town. The band intros brought a laugh too, introducing the guitarist as Keith Richards, the bassist as Ray Davies and the drummer as the bastard son of Freddie Mercury. I'd catch them again in Glasgow if the venue they're playing wasn't the Classic Grand - awful sound in there.
I lasted a couple of bars of Square Wild before bailing to check out the VIP acoustic set of Parker Barrow. They started off great, but I quickly tired of their sound and found a bench to sit on.
Heavy Pettin were big in Scotland in the 80's, until they split, the lead singer moving to the States. They recently reformed, but, again, I found their music didn't grab me. It seemed painfully retro. The singer's "Sheena Easton" Scottish accent sounded so weird when he spoke between numbers.
Silveroller were a revelation. Invoking an early 70's vibe, they powered their way through their high-energy set, winning over the crowd with their songs. They made a big deal of allowing us to be their witnesses as they signed their record deal on stage. The singer reminded me of Rod Stewart back when he was good, but Bob couldn't unsee him as Robin Askwith of the Confessions... series. A band to look out for.
I skipped Hannah Wicklund, waiting at the barrier for my faves, Anchor Lane. Hannah's music took a prog turn when someone pulled out a flute, but she won me back with a cover of Janis Joplin's Take Another Little Piece of My Heart. She lost me again when she overran, with both Anchor Lane and the Firestarter stage announcer annoyed at the delay.
Anchor Lane smashed it. The majority of the crowd had never heard of them before, but were mightily impressed by the end. I was even bouncing about, thoroughly enjoying myself. It's a shame I can't make their date at King Tut's this year as it clashes with Bloody Scotland. AL were my highlight of the weekend.
I was disappointed not to be offered a setlist by the band, having stood at the barrier the longest. Conor gave his to a lady on my far right. Lawrence gave his to a lady on my left. I still got a picture of it, though.
It's the End, My Friend.
The rest of the day didn't excite me much. I've never been much aware of the Wildhearts. Ginger's terminal cancer diagnosis and choice not to have treatment brought out a massive crowd, there to pay tribute to his services to rock music.
Aethoria didn't appeal, nor did The Almighty, even though I'm a fan of Ricky Warwick. Their music was a bit samey for my liking. Chez Kane, headlining her first festival on the Firestarter stage, felt like stepping back in time. Moulding herself on the likes of Pat Benatar and Lee Aaron, her original music is heavily influenced by the 80's sound, with suggestive dance moves and a skimpy costume. Her voice is incredible. Shame there were a few sound issues. I couldn't help but notice a familiar face in the shape of the guitarist from Tyketto. Apparently, Chez Kane is his regular gig. He and the other guitarist enjoyed themselves with their coordinated high kicks. A fun way to finish the day.
Except there was still Uriah Heep. I'd seen them twice recently, so we listened to the first couple of songs before deciding to return to the hotel, aware we had an early departure the next day. With Scott unwell, Bob would have to do all the driving himself. He wasn't looking forward to that.
The Sunday gave me pause to rethink whether I would return. The heat and the smokers had annoyed me, but at its heart, the festival had achieved what it set out to do: present s bands you already love and allow you to discover new faves. Still, I elected not to buy Early Bird tickets and wait for the lineup announcements first.
I may be back.
Velvet Rush
Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts
Parker Barrow (acoustic)
Silverolller
Hannah Wicklund (full zoom)
Anchor Lane
The Wildhearts
Aethoria
The Almighty
Chez Kane
Uriah Heep
What I liked about the festival:
The location of the VIP area;
the larger, more accessible set up for the acoustic stage;
the ceaseless work of the staff tidying the site;
the Roundhouse - big plus, with food and soft drinks on offer, providing additional seating and shelter from the sun;
the organisation to get us all in, checking tickets and handing out wristbands early.
the fenced corridors creating a pathway away from each arena to stop seats clogging up exits.
What I disliked about the festival:
The lack of a signing area/ merch stand at the Firestarter stage;
the crowd chain-smoking cigarettes
the sound issues, glitching guitars and vocals;
the Thursday Gatecrasher in its current form. It could be tremendous with a change in format - perhaps a curry night before a short acoustic set;
how the seating area proliferated across routes between areas - keep them penned in better;
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