A new report has revealed that social media plays a crucial role in boosting the UK's live comedy scene.
The survey, carried out by Ticketmaster, says that 64% of fans reported booking shows after finding a comedian online, compared to just 8% in 2014 and that nearly a third of Gen Zers admit they wouldn’t pay to see a comedian live without first watching them on TikTok.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are helping fans discover new comedians and book tickets quickly. In 2024, 64% of fans reported booking shows after finding a comedian online, compared to just 8% in 2014.
It is clear that it is becoming increasingly important for comedians to establish an online presence to build a live audience.
The research also revealed that comedy events in the UK have shot up by 34% over the past decade. Talent is expanding, particularly female talent, with nearly 100 female comedian headliners having taken to the stage this year, a five-fold increase from 2019.
The survey also explored regional differences in comedy audiences, with acceptable behaviours and genre preferences differ significantly across regions:
o Welsh like regional humour the most (26%), followed by the Scots (24%; while 87% of Southerners do not enjoy this genre
o Dirty jokes are winners in Scotland (30%)
o Southwest attendees (41%) are the most likely to laugh until they cry·
o Comedy lovers in the Northeast (25%) are the ones laughing at inappropriate moments
o Fans across the Northwest are causing the most disruptions, with 15% heckling during a performance and 11% stage crashing
o Nearly half of rural residents enjoy comedy about life’s absurdities, whilst only a third of city dwellers share this passion
the was also a rise in comedy gigs being the chosen option for romance. Nearly one in five Brits are choosing to take their date to a live comedy show, a huge shift from only 2% in 2014 (from Ticketmaster’s previous Comedy State of Play).
*This is a robust, nationally representative survey of 2,003 UK adults conducted by an independent market research agency between September 12th – 14th, 2024.
If the report has made you feel like going to a comedy show, Ticketmaster's comedy gig guide is here.
