Mark Nelson Guest Blog

Every single year Scotland hosts a festival which showcases the biggest names in comedy from Britain and worldwide, attracts thousands of punters and is widely regarded as the finest festival comedy has to offer. Then in August, there's something on in Edinburgh as well apparently.


This will be my 8th year experiencing the Glasgow International Comedy Festival either as a performer or audience member. Doing the festival is far and away my favourite thing to be involved in as a comedian. Unlike Edinburgh I am not forced to live the rest of the year eating from bins because I have spent £92,000 hiring a sweaty basement for that oh-so-lucrative 2.15pm slot. Unlike Edinburgh I am not pacing around with insomnia, worrying that I'll be reviewed by some media degree w****r who, despite only doing it as work experience, actually holds my career in his hands. Unlike Edinburgh I can have a drink and a chat with people in the industry who I like, rather than every conversation being reduced to 'how's your numbers?'


Comedy should be fun and that is what makes Glasgow so unique; it is immense fun. The city prides itself on its sense of humour and this shines through at gigs. People often exaggerate about how hard a Glasgow crowd is and tell horror stories of even the best in the business dying in Glasgow. Rubbish. If you are funny, you will not receive a better reception from any other crowd in the world. Over the years I have literally every comedian of note perform at the festival, and every single one I have spoken to has loved it.


I've lived in the city for over 10 years now and it still excites me. The things which are intrinsic to Glasgow are what I love about it most. I like the mental boozers. I like the fact that drunken fools take the time to put a traffic cone on a bloke's head. I like salt and vinegar on my chips. That's why I think it's brilliant that it is host to not just the biggest, but by far the best, comedy festival in the world.


This year I will be performing my solo show at Oran Mor. As always it won't really be about anything in particular; it'll just be me having a laugh and saying funny things about what's been going on in the past 12 months. I'll see you there.


Catch Mark Nelson: Live and Unleashed at Oran Mor on Friday 30 March. For more information click here.