| 06 August 2011
Mick Ferry is a slightly ageing mod type, in a tight Fred Perry polo shirt and slicked back quiff, beer belly in tow. He introduces his set by raising questions about the end of world, and engages freely with the audience, chortling in a thick Mancunian accent. At first glance, it’s all too familiar in its 'bitter old man' set up, spanning questionings of religion, death, and the ‘missus’ to name a few.
But Ferry is clever, and also a bit strange. He is also dark , with shock tactics far removed from graphic innuendoes. ‘"The best thing is stealing drugs off your kids," he suggests. Ferry also wants to know what you’d take into a bunker at the end of the world. He maintains music is important - he is quite cool. He thinks suicide is ‘weird’ , and thinks about post-apocalyptic futures, but he also hates WH Smith and the Royal Wedding. Amidst the moments of fresh brilliance, however, he is all too willing to dip back into the familiar formulae, discussing gender politics and arguing with his wife.
It’s not ground breaking, but it's sometimes interesting and, to be fair, never awkward or boring. He’s taken an old template and shaken it up - but not too much. His show is enjoyable, and even slicker than his hair.
Mick Ferry, Gilded Balloon, 4th-28th August, 21:30
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