Scottish Kids

From his DVD

More Kevin Bridges videos

Kevin Bridges started stand-up shortly after his 17th birthday, and reached the finals of the So You Think You're Funny? talent contest at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe, when he was just 18.

He staged his debut hour-long solo show at the Glasgow Comedy Festival in March 2006, and made his Edinburgh Fringe debut the following year.

In 2009, he appeared on BBC One's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, which hugely boosted his profile to the extend he played the Glasgow SECC in 2010.

Bridges won the breakthrough award at the 2010 Chortle Awards.

Kevin Bridges at the Hammersmith Apollo
Live Review
Hammersmith Apollo

Kevin Bridges is the comic who struck lucky. In many ways, his affable telling of personal yarns and everyday observations is the stuff of many a comedian working the clubs, rather than touring Britain’s biggest No 1 theatres.

Strong management has certainly helped propel him to this elevated status at the ripe old age of 23, but his compelling Everyman appeal is all his own. He’s a natural on stage, effortlessly friendly but with a glint of Clydebank grit to add character, without ever straying close to the line of genuine cruelty or offence, a smattering of heartfelt Anglo-Saxon expletives aside.

English people, he claims, can find his accent impenetrable; whereas his old Scottish mates think he’s gone all la-di-da. His accent is, however, a great asset, even something as simple as putting and an extra, heavily stressed, syllable into a word like ‘toddler’ has a charm of its own.

He’s certainly not shy about milking his nation’s stereotypes, boasting of Glasgow’s appalling record on health, hardman reputation, and dogged lack of pretension, which is a source of great pride. It’s the stuff of many a stand-up routine, admittedly, and other topics such as the disappearing joy of finding pornography stashed in a hedge, the perils of a budget airline flight from Glasgow to Majorca, raucous groups of fat girls in hired limousines, are in equally familiar territory.

But even when the material verges on the obvious Bridges can be counted on to do it nicely, with a perfect summary of the situations he’s describing or an admirably wry turn of phrase – or simply because he connects so innately with his audience on a level few comics do, let alone one of his relative youth.

A particularly amusing interlude has him highlight the ridiculousness of a young comic doing Peter Kay-style reminiscences – ‘Remember when PlayStations used to have controllers with wires? What’s all that about?’ – but largely you forget about his age, given that he looks so much older than his years, and is so comfortable in himself and his comedy.

His writing still has some way to go to catch up with the irresistible stage presence, but Bridge’s stories suggest he has his feet firmly on the ground, despite his rapid ascent, while his no-frills material seems to be slowly evolving over this tour. A few recent favourites, such as his description of an empty-house party, are missing from tonight’s 70-minute set, although he still includes such reliable laugh-generators as the story of him watching his dad furtively tune to the free porn preview in the early days of Sky TV.

Bridges continues to be an assuredly solid stand-up, with enough delightful moments to pique the interest; though will still await the breakthrough into consistently more interesting material.

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I have seen Kevin three times at the Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow and these are the best types of venues to see comedians. It is a much more intimate venue and he has real partipation with the audience and I dare anyone to sit at one of the tables around the little stage - you them are part of his show. Keep up the great work Kevin!!

Myra, Glasgow, February 2013

One of the few "TV, live at the Apollo" comics who haven't lost their edge. Bridges seems almost embarrassed by success and that comes through in his material. Great to see him taking on meatier topics in his new tour and i think the best is yet to come. Proper social commentary from a proper Stand Up. Keep it up.

Jodie, November 2012

Bridges has found his audience, style and comfort zone at an early age. Once he strays from these parameters the impression is shaky and that of 'witty sales assistant'. To truly last he needs the invention and eccentricity of Connolly, which is not in evidence at this point in his pop comedian career.

Mandy Allan, November 2012

Saw him in Belfast. Excellent.

Robbie, October 2012

Kevin was incredible in Glasgow! 20th Sept. I admit the show was short and he cut many jokes out but then out them back in for the DVD but i was in fits of laughter at everything he said! Glasgow is the best gig to go to as it's a home crowd for him and he talks about more Glasgow based subjects.

hahaha, October 2012

We saw Kevin Bridges at Aberdeen (AECC). It was poor, his contribution lasted just over an hour, he couldn't cope with comments from the audience and it was overpriced - waste of money.

Wendy Clarke, October 2012

I love Kevin Bridges I think he is the funniest comedian I have seen for a while. He makes his jokes about simple everyday things that we can all relate to and he doesn't need to cause offense or have controversial material just to get noticed. I am definitely going to see him in Ireland in October with all my friends. Ireland loves Kevin.

Aoife, Dublin, May 2012

Kevin is absolutely FANTASTIC! For all the people saying he is a one trick pony etc. If you go see a comedian 5 TIMES you should probably expect hearing the same material.

Ewan Shand, February 2012

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