Joey Page

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Friday 1st November 2024

It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. And this time we welcome Joey Page, who's currently on his debut tour with the show Nice One. But is it a nice one, comedy-wise, or might we discover a dark underbelly?

"The show is actually just some really fun routines about how I don't really fit in living in a nice area even though I look like a hipster," Page reveals, "I'm a bit rougher underneath.

"There's also a couple of darker things going on there dealing with my marriage ending and stuff but I would never make a whole show about that. It's entertainment first. With a tiny, tiny sprinkle of some other stuff."

You can't say no to a tiny sprinkle. The tour runs until late November, then takes a two-month break until early February, during which he'll be doing... what?

"Avoiding the public being in mad Christmas mode and writing. I might go to a spa town in Bulgaria for a few days in between Christmas and New Year and outside of that get on with writing the next show."

He loves a spa does Joey, as we'll find out further down the Page page.

First gig?

My first gig after doing the Amused Moose comedy course; I was 21 and thought that I was comedy's answer to Wayne Rooney (because I was so young, not because I was into old ladies). It was a real reality check. Six audience members and a dog.

I remember Alistair Green, Matt Crosby and Dave Nicholls being on the bill and the MC was Dangerous T. Mad to think that Matt and Alastair went on to have such a good career, when I think one comic said the gig was so bad that he threatened to climb out the window. What a start to my life as a comedian.

Favourite show, ever?

I supported Laura Smyth on her tour at Hackney Empire and that was so fantastic. I always dreamed of being given a chance to play a room like that and I proved to myself that I can cut it on a big stage in front of so many people, so that was pretty special.

Also the first night of my first tour in the glamour town of Hemel Hempstead. To sell out my first tour show ever was pretty special to me. And I did a gig at End of the Road festival where one of my favourite ever musicians Kurt Vile came to watch me so that was very special. That's three. Sorry.

Worst gig?

Haha. There's a few of these too. I died hard at Leeds Festival when I used to do a lot of surreal material. They tried to boo me off. I had to stay on for 25 mins to get the money. I wanted to cry but I got to near the end of my set and said "You've enjoyed this so much I'm actually going to do an encore."

I had a guy troll me for three years after that which culminated in me inviting him to my Edinburgh show. He came and said that I wasn't as bad as he thought I was but still not his cup of tea, so we called it a draw.

Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?

All my friends tell me I am like my old man. He's the life and soul of the party and when I get going I can be quite lairy and mischievous so I would say my dad. But also since I am in the business of giving more than one answer, a really unlikely one is Busta Rhymes.

I am hugely influenced by musicians and I remember being about 12 and seeing some of his bombastic music videos and I was like, 'WOW! A grown up being weird. I like that'.

I'd love to meet him. Does he read this, do you reckon?

And who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

Phil Ellis stays at mine when he's gigging down here from Manchester and I know he wears my dressing gown when I am not around. So I'd say Phil.

Also there's a northern comic who, back before I got good, would slag me off to the audience after I'd been on. I won't name him as I believe we should all stick together but I am looking forward to the next time he is hosting a gig that I am on so I can smash it and ask what he thinks of my act now as I come off.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

Off the top of my head there's probably loads from when I used to be surreal but I can't really remember. Nowadays I write so often that if something isn't working I really search to understand why it isn't getting laughs and keep tinkering with it and try to fix it. It's my least favourite thing about the process of being a comedian but I am so determined to finally reach the top, it's a necessary evil.

Your top travel tips, for touring comics?

Swimwear. The amount of times I've been at a hotel that has a spa or been near the sea and I've not had my trunks. A sauna and a steam room is a great way to kill a few hours and switch off before a gig.

Also take a speaker in case you have an after party (in your room not the spa).

Any reviews, heckles or post-gig reactions stick in the mind?

I remember at Up the Creek once a guy said before I went on, "I bet you're going to be shit" then I crushed it. After he offered me a line of coke and the opportunity to do stand-up at his wedding. I declined both.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

I feel like I am on the verge of something really good. I am always working on my craft but I get such good reactions and this tour is the result of me completely ripping up my act and starting again just before lockdown.

I had so many years of reading or hearing that I was good enough and I really looked at that! I spent the entire pandemic just writing and reinventing and now I am getting a bit of a buzz for the first time in about 10 years and I am really determined to make the most of it.

I am always asking for advice and getting the opinions of comics I respect, like Laura Smyth, Lloyd Griffith, Phil Ellis, Rob Beckett and Jeff Innocent. All of them have helped me build my career. Comedy means everything to me and I just love doing it. I have never felt happier or closer to my goals.

Joey Page: Nice One is touring now. Details