The Blak Holes - Dane Simpson and Isaac Compton

MICF Review 2025 – The Blak Holes

The Blak Holes duo Isaac Compton and Dane Simpson pull in rapid fire laughs at their hit Melbourne International Comedy Festival performance. Their super nova status as comedians confirmed with their look into dating, fame, family, life, love, money and the world of entertainment & social media for men in Australia, especially Indigenous men. Compton’s guitar-backed rendition of Jolene, about …

Team Punter's Politics at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Punter’s Politics sells out Melbourne comedy festival shows

(Photo above: Morry Morgan, Bradford Oakes and Punter Konrad) What started as satirical video posts on social media has turned into packed shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF). And in the process, Punter’s Politics’ founder, Konrad, has done what few in MICF history have ever done – sold out their debut performance. The four shows, titled ‘Punter’s Politics’, …

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025

30 Hard Knock Knocks grads at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025

Back in 2022 we reported that seven graduates of the Hard Knock Knocks were performing their own comedy shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This year, in 2025, that number has BOOMED to an astonishing 30! Here’s who to look out for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025, and remember if you liked what you saw, you can …

Punter's Politics - Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Punter’s Politics Live at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Konrad from ‘Punter’s Politics’ brings his sharp political insights and irreverent humour to Melbourne International Comedy Festival in a show that promises to dissect the absurdity of Australian politics like never before. Known for his no-nonsense takes and relatable style, Konrad combines wit, satire and laugh-out-loud moments as he tackles the big issues – from Canberra chaos to the quirks of Aussie life. Whether …

Should you pay for Facebook and Instagram ads to sell comedy tickets?

Should you pay for Facebook and Instagram ads to sell comedy tickets?

There’s no quick answer to this question. In short, “It depends.” Facebook and Instagram ads can be a powerful tool to sell tickets for your comedy show, but they’re not a guaranteed success. Before you commit your hard-earned cash, consider these five important factors: 1. Is this for a festival or one off show? Timing plays a huge role in …

Are you ready to perform at Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

Are you ready to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

The Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School is coming up to our tenth year of coaching stand-up comedy, and one thing we know for sure, graduates are super keen to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, ASAP. But are they ready? Performing a ‘tight five‘ at a Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School graduation is one thing. Performing over multiple nights …

Melbourne International Comedy Festival - School of Hard Knock Knocks

How do you perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) in 2025?

Photo: Eddie PerfectPhoto Credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival / Jim Lee Photo So how do you get to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) in 2025? Is it invite only? Do you need to know the mayor? Is a bribe required? The good news for Australians and New Zealanders is that anyone can perform – without a bribe. …

Hard Knock Knocks gets 6 into Raw Comedy finals

Hard Knock Knocks gets 6 into Raw Comedy finals

Each year close to 1000 amateur comedians compete in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Raw Comedy competition. Getting past a heat is an accomplishment, but winning a State Final to get into Raw Comedy National Final is incredible. And Hard Knock Knocks graduates have done just that. Six times! Stella Wu – Graduated May 2023 Stella Wu graduated from the …

Australia's Funniest Boomers

Australia’s Funniest Boomers include Hard Knock Knocks alumni

Two of the 12 finalists of Australia’s Funniest Boomer were Hard Knock Knocks alumni. But this should come as no surprise. After all, the comedy school, which has over 700 graduates across the country, had three alumni reach the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Raw Comedy national final this year. That’s an impressive record, and one reason the Hard Knock Knocks …