MPF2025: THE COMEDY STAGE
Manchester Punk Festival’s Comedy Stage returns for 2025! It’s been a proud staple of the MPF line-up since 2018, and the perfect place to relax and recharge in between circle pits. As ever, this stage has been carefully curated by Red Redmond (Punk Rock Elite podcast), so expect another side-splitting showcase of cutting-edge stand-up comics, local legends and returning fan favourites.
Andrew O’Neill, MPF’s most requested comedian, returns with an exclusive sneak peek at their brand new tour show: A History of Punk Rock. This follows on from the tremendous underground success of their previous show, A History of Heavy Metal, described by living legend Alan Moore as “a comprehensive landmark analysis of an enormous area of music … A loud and thoroughly engrossing love story.” They are hot off the heels of recording their own series for BBC Radio 4, plus recent credits on Nevermind The Buzzcocks, Saxondale and Good Omens. This is a genuine contender for highlight of the weekend.
Eddie French and Katie Mitchell are also back by popular demand. Eddie French is the co-host of the Punk Rock Elite podcast, currently celebrating over 25,000 downloads with past guests including Frank Turner and Karina Deniké (NOFX). Eddie will perform their underground hit Poser – a stand-up show all about punk rock and gender dysphoria. Katie Mitchell performs her latest festival show, Spine Hygiene*, which is largely considered to be one of the very best stand-up shows specifically about back pain, ever performed. *Please bring your own lumbar support.
New Zealand’s finest comedy export Sully O’Sullivan will also be on hand to host the weekend’s events. He joins us fresh from a whirlwind world tour of his critically acclaimed show, A Complete Idiot’s Guide to New Zealand.
Northern comedy legend Mick Ferry makes his MPF debut this year. He is one of the most sought-after compères and headliners in the country, bringing almost 30 years of experience to the MPF stage. Dean Coughlin, the co-host of the Mild High Club Podcast, will also make a special appearance, fresh from a recent tour support slot with Adam Rowe and Paul Smith. We are also joined by Canadian comedian Evan Desmerais – the founder of Manchester’s iconic 7-days-a-week DIY institution, Creatures Comedy Club.
Local spoken-word legend Thick Richard is back! Manchester’s most loved potty-mouthed punk poet performs his signature batch of well-crafted wordplay. He’s the presenter of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Beat of the Day, he’s been published alongside John Cooper Clarke, and supported Kae Tempest on tour. A must-see for any fan of off-kilter cabaret.
One-half of Dead Men Talking podcast, Rob Mulholland returns alongside the founder of award-winning Trapdoor Comedy, Tony Basnett. Together, they are two of the most in-demand acts of the northern comedy circuit. BBC New Comedy Award semi-finalist Maxine Wade brings her unique brand of leopard-print-clad comedy to the afternoon’s proceedings.
Following a spectacular debut last year, we can’t wait to invite Manchester’s premier transgender jokester back to MPF. You can expect daft jokes and sillier songs from Jenny Hart, one of the UK’s most exciting festival favourites.
We can’t wait to bring you another wild weekend of hilarious nonsense. Join us for two back-to-back afternoons of glorious comedy that’s raw, real, and ridiculously funny.
We’re approaching only 100 tickets left for MPF2025. Grab yours here.
You’re also running out of time to pre-order an MPF FC shirt!
