Best place to do first gig in London

Sean Cosgrove · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 152 Location: London

You're welcome. As I say, only 10 gigs in myself so if someone gives you contradictory advice they are probably right. But I've always, in all circs, found knowing my stuff to be the best possible antidote to nerves.

I did the College Arms myself last week by the way. V nice, with a decent mic and an audience who wanted to be there.

Incidentally, you are, I think, unlikely to get heckled. At this level of gig, the audience knows that it is a comedy night so they are there to laugh; and they know that all the acts are, if not first timers, then still quite new, so only an idiot would expect more than you have to give.

Just get out there, say your stuff, accept the luaghs you get, say thank you and get off. Then, when the whole show's over, do a bit of a post mortem about what could have gone better. Then make whatever changes you need to make and start getting ready for your second gig ...

MikeFinley · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 10

I'm glad to hear it's a good one! Heard good things about it. My biggest worry is, except for not being funny, forgetting what I'm saying halfway through. That's why I'm glad to have it 2 months away. Plenty of time (well, I say that now...)

I'm not expecting huge guffaws of laughter, be fantastic if that happened but no expectations. Just some laughs is all I'm after.

Cheers!

Martin_Caine · Joined: 10 Nov 2011 Posts: 309 Location: Poole, Dorset

mod boy · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 27 Location: London

MikeFinley · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 10

Hey, sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I just wanted to say cheers to people who recommended The College Arms! I did my first gig there on Monday night, Tony Cowards was headlining, and it went insanely well. Was on such an emotional high from it, absolutely unbelievable. Great crowd, great comics, and Phillip may possibly be one of the nicest people I've ever met.
So yes, first London gig, College Arms. Do that one.

Sean Cosgrove · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 152 Location: London

Brilliant, well done - now get some more in the diary.
_________________
When it goes badly, I try to work out which bit of my failure was down to me. When it goes well, I try to work out which bit of my success was down to luck.

MikeFinley · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 10

Thanks chap. Emailing as many new act promoters as I can. Quite a huge waiting list, I think, but gonna keep at it

Sean Cosgrove · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 152 Location: London

Try Pear Shaped, Touching Cloth, the various Comedy Bin venues, etc. Also join the Comedy collective on Facebook - Phillip Jones (who runs Laughtershock at the College Arms) maintains a list of London open mics in the "documents" section of the page. If you live in London, are free in the evening and have 5 minutes ready to go you can often get a "walk-in" at most of these gigs too - either they will have spots reserved for walk-ins or someone will have booked and not shown up, so if you get there early and look keen you can often jump the queue in this way. Audiences are typically small at such gigs but there's enough people present, even if it's just other acts, to let you know whether your material's funny or not; and quite often one of the other acts will point you in the direction of other gigs you can try.
_________________
When it goes badly, I try to work out which bit of my failure was down to me. When it goes well, I try to work out which bit of my success was down to luck.