Comedy and Cabaret Stage

Friday 26th August
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE, Daniel Packard, Rhys Darby, Jim Jeffries, Alan Carr, Matt Kirschen, Steve Gribbin, Glen Wool, Martin Bigpig, Mitch Benn, Esme Cheerleader Strip Into Prom, Empress Stah, Simon Razor, Roxy Pole, Weapons of Sound.

MC – Cole Parker
Compere – Ronnie King The Preacher
DJ – Hannah Fox
PLUS – Manga Short Films, Punk Rock Karaoke

Saturday 27th August
ANDY KINDLER, ED BYRNE, Jarred Christmas, Ben Norris, Rick Right, Matt Welcome, Christian Reilly, Adam Bloom, Mark Walker, Paul B. Edwards, Cobra Killers, Bastard Son of Tommy Cooper, Men In Coats, Esme White Wedding, Cuban Brothers.

MC – Marcus Birdman
Compere – Ronnie King The Preacher
DJ – Hannah Fox
PLUS – More Manga films, More Punk Rock Karaoke

Sunday 28th August
SAUL WILLIAMS, REGINALD D HUNTER, RUSSELL BRAND, Hugh Lennon, Eddie Ift, Ian Cognito, Tony Woods, Yianni Agisilaou

MC – Kevin McCarthy
PLUS – More Manga Films

Late Night Entertainment at Reading Festival

When the bands have finished at Reading this year, that doesn’t mean the night is over. With a host of cabaret performances and experimental collaborations the show goes on at the Comedy and Cabaret Stage into the wee hours. Highlights include:-

Punk Rock Karaoke. It’s back! Punk Rock Karaoke punctuates the weekend at Reading as the house band play for anyone who cares to have a go at their favourite punk tune of all time. Always a sure fire winner at the festivals, Punk Rock Karaoke is now as much a part of Reading as seeing all your favourite bands in three days.

The two man behind Men In Coats have now seen their surreal show wow audiences across the world from Just For Laughs in Canada to Japan, from Italy to Hackney Empire (where they won the “New Act Award”). Using distorted perspectives, the pair inhabit a world where a man can shrink to the size of a small dog and then that same man’s arm can stretch the length of an aeroplane. Genuinely innovative comedy performers, the pair were accurately described by The Guardian as “Head and shoulders above the rest”.

The Cuban Brothers can rightly claim to be one of the most entertaining acts in the world today. Melding music with comedy both physical and observational and sensational dancing, the brothers are always guaranteed to bring the house down wherever they go. Having hosted the NME Awards and the MTV Music Awards the boys know how to keep a crowd happy. Were further proof needed, their storming set on the main stage at Manumission in Ibiza is now the stuff of legend and anyone who knows about Manumission will know that is no easy thing. The perfect people for a party, get down with the Cuban Brothers at this year’s event.

Weapons Of Sound utilise the ordinary junk of the modern world to create what they term “junk-percussion music”. With discarded gas pipes, kitchen sinks and plastic barrels to lay down infectious rhythms and beats that never fail to fascinate and motivate audiences.

Empress Stah will bring a new take on cabaret to the festival this year. Having worked with The Royal Opera whilst also being a regular performer at Torture Garden, Stah melds the resurgent art of burlesque with stunning trapeze work.

Esme blends traditional burlesque with a poise and beauty that is truly mesmerising. Having modelled for Agent Provocateur, Esme is well known in the burlesque scene for her innovative and sensual stage shows.

Cobra Killer came together as a response to the dullness of early electronic music shows in their native Germany. Drawing on a political standpoint that saw them join Alec Empire and his Digital Hardcore label for some time, the pair of Gina V. D’Orio and Annika Line Trost put on a show that is, in turns, shocking, confrontational, sexual and political. Having given Peaches her first show as their support and with fans including Sonic Youth, the duo’s recent 76/77 album demonstrates their no compromise approach to their art perfectly.

Latest Updates