It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!

Sian Davies: Band of Gold

Location:   Laughing Horse @ City Cafe – Las Vegas (Venue 85)

Dates: Aug 1st-25th

Time: 16:15

Price: Pay What You Can

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sian-davies-band-of-gold

Hello! Tell us about yourself?  

I’m Sian Davies, a queer, working class comedian from Liverpool. 

Tell us all about your show! 

Band of Gold is a comedy show about owning your mistakes. From bad tattoos to terrible relationships and all the collective regrets of our misspent youth. 

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the fringe? 

I’d been listening to a lot of Northern Soul and writing jokes about my big gay divorce. Band of Gold is a song by Freda Payne that I had on repeat. It seemed like a perfect title  

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe? 

I can’t wait to watch debut shows from Hannah Platt, Charlie George and John Meagher. I know Lauren Pattison will have an amazing show and like most people I can’t wait to see what Phil Ellis comes up with next! 

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe.  

This is my third solo show at the fringe, and I’ve been running mixed bills up there since 2018. My main advice would be that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Start taking your vitamins in June, eat like an athlete and get plenty of rest between shows. There is always the draw of a party and FOMO is massive. But pulling shows and giving a poor performance due to a hangover isn’t a good look for anyone. The parties will still be there next time, your chance to shine might not be. 

Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe 

I usually wake up around midday and post some stuff on social media, do any admin for shows and ease myself into the day with coffee. I might have a lunchtime spot on a missed bill, or I might catch a lunchtime show depending on how tired I’m feeling.

At around 2pm I’ll make sure my flyers are set up and try to grab something to eat before my show. My solo show is at 4:15 this year so I’ll be around the venue setting up from 4 and clearing up until 5:30. Then it’s straight over to meet the team for Best in Class (my mixed bill line up show featuring working class comedians). I’ll get them set up for flyering and support them on running the show which starts at 7. After Best in Class I usually check in with my partner who is at home. It helps to keep things in perspective to connect with people outside of the fringe bubble.

Then I might have time to watch a show or grab dinner with a pal before getting ready for show number 3, Comedy Queers. I’ll flyer around the venue from 9:30 then meet the acts and organise the running order. It’s a chaotic mixed bill of queer acts from across the fringe and my role is to MC the show and organise it all.

Before the show I hate myself for having to do it, but it is so much fun and brings me so much joy. I always end my day happy and it’s because of the unique audience and acts that make Comedy Queers so special. The show finishes at 11:30 and I find myself strolling home with a smile on my face, exhausted and ready to do it all over again tomorrow. 

What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe? 

Celebrate the success of your friends and colleagues. It can feel quite competitive, and everyone feels like someone else is doing much better than them. But taking joy from other people’s success is a real game changer. 

Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?  

City Café on Blair Street. I think I’ve eaten every item on the menu. I dream about their Scottish Breakfasts all year round. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe? 

Doing what you love every day and getting better at it. Not to mention seeing your friends every day, it’s like a big summer camp for comedians.  

Top tips for travelling around the Fringe and getting to shows on time? 

Factor in twice the amount of time to get anywhere because every street is full of slow moving crowds and you will likely end up on a detour as part of a silent disco without even realising. Don’t trust Google Maps! Edinburgh is a multi-layered city and I have found myself late for a show and trying to scale a bridge on far too many occasions! 

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe? 

Vocalzone Lemon, Ginger and Manuka Leaf tea 

A packable waterproof coat 

Bluetack 

What’s the secret to successful flyering?  

Being helpful and knowledgeable about the whole fringe, not just your show. People will value you much more if you can point them to the nearest toilet and recommend a different show based on what they just saw. But you have to also remember your main job is to sell the show, so know when the deal is dead and you need to move on. 

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media? 

https://www.instagram.com/sian_davies_comedy https://x.com/morriseysquiff