Invergordon comedian making waves in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen set to launch Inverness Comedy Club as he chases big breakthrough
An Invergordon scaffolder turned stand-up comic who has been raising laughs across Scotland is set to launch a new comedy club in Inverness.
From tomorrow (Friday) evening, comedian Matt Black, from Invergordon, will stage the twice monthly Inverness Comedy Club at the city’s Market Bar as he builds on shows in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
The venture, every second Friday at 7.30 pm to 9pm, will set out to showcase the best new and established comedy talent in the city.
It will also double as Matt’s preparation for some high profile looming future dates around Scotland.
The 39-year-old is already going down a storm with audiences having taken up comedy tentatively in 2022 just after the pandemic.
He has been performing at The Stand in Edinburgh and recently won Comedian Of The Year at the Aberdeen Fringe Festival 2024.
“I'm preparing for my first solo show at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival in March 2025,” Matt said.
“Joe Sweeney and Rab Mulheron, who have been really helpful in getting me involved in comedy, are performing as well, along with local comics Robert MacGregor, Marc Ross and Stephen Clark.
“We’re hopeful the Inverness Comedy Club will prove popular.
“I’ve lined up Marc and Robert for the first one in Inverness and it is going to be a little bit different. They can come to the Market Bar, have a bit of a laugh and then head on elsewhere on their night out.
“We’re going to have a bit of fun with it in a more relaxed and less formalised comedy show.
“In places like Edinburgh and Glasgow, it is easy to get on the mic maybe three or four times a week. Here it is much more difficult so, hopefully, it will be a great addition locally.”
Matt’s passion for comedy has him dreaming of swapping building sites and steel girders for anecdotes and one-liners on a full-time basis.
His early steps in comedy have been rapid and impressive, building an instant rapport with audiences wherever he appears.
“I first started at the Tooth and Claw where they have an evening where I could get some time in between bands,” Matt said.
“At first I didn’t know how to even get started in comedy, so I also want the Inverness Comedy Club to be a regular fixture where people can come along and give it a try themselves.
“I’m going to do a 90-second special, where if someone wants to try live comedy for the first time, they don’t have to produce a five-minute set like some places ask.
“I always wanted to get into it, but never knew how to. My first appearance was a Zoom gig in a contest called ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’, a national competition I entered from my son’s bedroom.
“Then I did some open mics with Pat Dennis, who is well known in Inverness. I really liked it and got in touch with Joe Sweeney, another local comedian, and it snowballed from there.
“My humour is very much observational, story-based, working around family life as a dad and other anecdotal stuff.”
Once his next series of dates are completed, Matt will look to plan a Highlands and Islands tour for 2025, again bringing his craft to new audiences and venues perhaps unused to such shows.
“It will be my second appearance at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, but this is my first solo one. I feel like I’m ready for that now as I have an hour’s material.
“I do my first solo show in Aviemore on December 26 and then the aim is to launch a Highlands and islands tour in 2025. I would like to take an established show around the villages and towns that don’t often get comedy acts.
“I’d like to go full-time at comedy. That’s definitely my dream.
“I’ve got three kids and my wife to think of, but if I could go full-time I definitely would
“I supported Wray Thompson at the Tivoli in Aberdeen last month and that really gave me a taste for performing in front of a big audience.
“It was brilliant - some experience - and it certainly gives you a taste for more.”
