First acts announced for comedy festival in ‘world’s funniest city’

The 2025 edition of Scotland’s biggest dedicated comedy festival will also feature rising stars Connor Burns and Joe Kent-Walter, while crime writer Val McDermid and former first minister Nicola Sturgeon will banter about their favourite books.

With more than 175 shows confirmed, 21 venues registered and 10,000 tickets sold, organisers said the 2025 festival, which runs from March 12 to March 30, is shaping up to be one of the biggest ever.

Festival director Krista MacDonald said: “Following 2024’s record-breaking year, Glasgow International Comedy Festival is set to once again host comedy’s biggest and best, alongside the industry’s rising stars, for a jam-packed 19 days of wall-to-wall comedy featuring stand-up, live podcasts, family shows, improv and more.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating Glasgow as the funniest city in the world, as hundreds of comedians and performers set out to entertain audiences in venues all across the city.

“If you’ve always wanted to perform at GICF then now is the time – don’t miss out.”

The festival includes the first hometown live show of hit podcast Here Comes The Guillotine, hosted by Glasgow comics Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe and Christopher MacArthur-Boyd.

Each week the trio tackle everything from politics and the state of the world to celebrities, and their show will give audiences at the SEC Armadillo the opportunity to experience their unbridled style of rebellious comedy first-hand.

McCabe, who won the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award this year, said: “The three of us are really looking forward to sharing a stage together in our home town, and doing something a bit different from our established stand up.”

McDermid and Ms Sturgeon will aim to cater for both book lovers and comedy fans with their show Books And Banter, which will see the friends discussing books they have loved, loathed and laughed at.

The pair will be joined on stage by comedy guests who will share the books that have left an indelible mark on them.

They said: “Our love of books is what first drew us together and it remains the mainstay of that friendship.

“Now we want to share the love… (at) the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, where we’ll be joined by two top names from the comedy world.

“We’ll be interrogating our guests about the books that shaped them and why they love reading.

“Revelations galore await as we explore the love and laughter between the covers.”

Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of charity Glasgow Life, the festival’s main funder, described the event as “a beloved gem in our vibrant cultural calendar”.

She added: “It showcases some of the UK’s most celebrated, award-winning comedians, billed alongside a wealth of local talent, each set to make Glasgow laugh.

“Since its inception more than 20 years ago, the quality of talent has seen it flourish, becoming Scotland’s largest dedicated comedy festival, with a stellar reputation for its incredible line-up. This year looks set to raise the bar higher still.

“As we get ready for GICF 2025, it’s wonderful to announce the first acts that promise to entertain a wide range of audiences. We are already excited to welcome everyone this March for a spectacular celebration of laughter and joy.”

Venues currently registered to host events include the King’s Theatre, Oran Mor, the Stand Comedy Club, the SEC Armadillo, Blackfriars, Platform, and The Old Hairdressers.

Acts and venues can register to be included in GICF’s printed festival guide by November 22 at www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com.

Festival tickets are on sale at www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com, with the full festival launch in early January.