“Manchester and the North West has some of the best comics in the country right now”

They are set to perform as part of the star-studded lineup of this year’s Laughterama festival.

Laughterama, Manchester’s biggest comedy festival, lands at Castlefield Bowl with five nights of astounding open-air comedy, craft beer, street eats and more on 6-10 September 2023.

Josh Jones Interview

Josh sat down for an exclusive interview with I Love MCR to talk about growing up in Manchester, how he got into stand-up and  performing at this year’s Laughterama comedy festival.

So, how did you get into stand-up?

“I already had some mates doing it and I wasn’t that interested in it at first.

“I wanted to do comedy sketches but people kept trying to convince me to do stand up and eventually, I gave in and had a go at it.

“And as they say, the rest is history.”

Can you tell us a bit about your experiences honing your comedy skills as a young person in Manchester?

“I started to stand up 8 years ago in Manchester and it was so much fun making mates and learning how to stand up in the northwest.

“It’s really cool seeing mates who I started with now as professional comics smashing gigs and living their best lives, it’s proper nice.

Laughterama has had some really big names on the bill over the year, how does it feel to be part of this huge event?

“Yeah great I was on an opening night last year and I loved it, also I had some family there and it’s great for them to see my gig to that many people.

“Will (the guy who books the gigs) has a load of lovely gigs that are really similar across the country that is a dream to play, so I was buzzing last year when he started one in Manchester.

Can you tell us some of your favourite comedians from Manchester, or the North West?

“I’m scared someone will shout at me for leaving them of the list Jamie Hutchingson, Hannah Platt, Mick Ferry, Nina Gilligan, Brennan Reece, Rachel Fairburn, Harriet Dyer, Dan Tiernan, Hayley Ellis, Phil Ellis,  Dan Nightingale, Adam Rowe, Stephen Bailey and there honestly loads more, we are honestly very lucky with how much amazing comedy talent we have in the north-west.

“I’m clearly biased but we have some of the best comics in the country!

Favourite venue in the city?

“Anyone who started comedy in Manchester has a connection to the Frog and Bucket because it’s the first proper comedy club we get to play because of the new competition there on Mondays (it’s called Beat the Frog).

“And now I get to close the best clubs in the country and tour, but it feels extra special headlining the Frog and doing solo shows there.

“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest.

What are your career highlights to date?

‘”I was very lucky to get to go on the Jonathan Ross show which felt so surreal.

“My boyfriend is a massive Tina Turner fan and she was on the show a few years before me but it looks like the same sofa and my boyfriend cannot believe I sat on the same sofa as her.

“I honestly think that’s why he’s obsessed with my backside.

If you had to pitch your show to your average person in the street, what would you tell them about it?

“Can be a little bit filthy but not too much.

“Honestly, it’s just a proper laugh and fun, loads of silly stupid jokes about me and my life.”

What do you love most about Manchester?

“My Gran’s cooking.

“She’s in her 90’s and can still bake you a cracking pie.”

Tickets are already flying out to this year’s comedy extravaganza at Laughterama,  starring a host of the hottest acts around like Off Menu’s Ed Gamble, multimedia marvel Adam Buxton, multi award-winning Sara Pascoe, Qi’s Alan Davies, the frenetic Russell Kane, the legendary Dylan Moran, Taskmaster stars Phil Wang and Fern Brady plus the recently added Netflix star BAFTA award nominee Simon Amstell.

Combining unbeatable stand-up on stage with a tastemaker’s selection of street food and quality drinks at the bars, this five-night festival has already proved a city favourite.

The festival offers some outrageously good entertainment with eight huge multi-bill shows stacked with flawless entertainers. Don’t miss cult comic/poet TIM KEY, viral sensation Troy Hawke ventriloquism queen Nina Conti, Father Ted hero ArdalL O’Hanlon Mash Report host Rachel Parris plus bumbling genius Ivo Graham.

Alongside Josh, British Comedian of the year 2022 and Manchester local Dan Tiernan (who was named in our best comedians in Manchester list)  plus fast-rising breakthrough acts like the superb Sharon Wanjohi, much tipped Ania Magliano and Celya Ab will be performing, too.

You can get your tickets to see Josh Jones and many other amazing comics at this year’s Laughterama by clicking here.