We can't believe it's Summer already! And that means that Edinburgh Fringe is fast approaching and we couldn't be more excited! 

Will any of you guys be making the trip to the Fringe this August? 🤔

On Thursday night (26/10) we're filming Jason Byrne at Leicester Square Theatre, it's going to be an AMAZING show and would be great to see some of you guys there! So why don't you pop along and come and say hi!

Get tickets here - https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/show/jason-byrne-the-ironic-bionic-man/

Doing tour support for a bigger act is a key way to hone the craft and increase the fanbase for a lot of up and coming comedians. For fans it's a great way to discover comics they wouldn't have otherwise known about - sort of like a real-life recommendation engine for fans - if you liked the act you've booked for, you'll probably like their support.

The ins and out of being a support act was something I thought our fans would be interested in, so I caught up with Brennan Reece, who has supported some of the best comedians in the UK including Joe Lycett, Micky Flanagan, Jason Manford & John Bishop, to let us in on what it's like.

What are the best things about doing tour support?
There’s so many things. First of all, the rooms. I have done tour support at every level from Arts Centre studios to Arenas. And it’s an incredible insight of why these acts play these rooms, it requires a different skill. A next level ability. Second, you are exposed to a brand new audience, and if you do well, they will become your fans too. And finally, the experience, the circuit is great, but to make 18,000 people laugh who are not there to see you is like nothing else.

How do you get that sort of gig?
Various ways. Comedians might see you and love you. It might be friends you have made along the way. And sometimes an act will have no clue who you are as you’ve been booked by the promoter via your agent.

What challenges do you face doing tour support?
The first 2 minutes. You are in the way of the night the audience want. They have looked forward to seeing their favourite comedian, and then you pop up. But if you have the ability and poise and jokes…you’ll be fine!

Any funny stories?
Less funny. More daunting. I was booked to support Steve O from Jackass. I turned up to a room full of people who wanted someone to staple their balls to their legs rather than tell stories of growing up on a Manchester council estate. 500 people, no one was sat down. I panicked and did a cartwheel. That’s as exciting as it got!

What makes a good tour support act?
Depends on the act. Some want to hang out. Some want you to turn up and do the job. But the main thing they all want - is you to be respectful to their audience and absolutely smash the gig.

Brennan's got two shows on NextUp - Everglow and Evermore - would highly recommend! And also, he's got his own UK tour next year, with his next hour special, 'Crowded', soon to be released. You can follow him on insta @brennanreece

Another new channel? Yes that’s right! 

Welcome to our comedy-world channel! This is an area for our members to discuss what’s going on in the world of comedy, such as tour shows, panel shows, sitcoms, your new favourite comedian, ones to watch and comedy podcast recommendations! (Yes you can talk about Taskmaster, we wouldn’t deprive you of that).

We know you all love NextUp the most 💙 But there’s so much incredible stuff out there in the comedy industry and we want to be able to discuss that as a community of people with a common ground (our crazy love of comedy)! 

Let’s get chatting!

We've been having the best time in Edinburgh, and would love to hear some of your favourite stories from being at the Fringe whether they are from this year or previous years! 

one of my fave comedy festivals has just announced half of it's line-up and it's looking strong as ever...