Oxfordshire comedian who has supported Russell Howard gears up for national tour

Andrew Bird’s tour, ‘A Ticklish Mind’, will see him perform in 21 locations across the country, including London, Glasgow and Birmingham.
Hailed a “brilliantly funny comedian” by Mr Howard, Mr Bird is no stranger to the stage. After his TV appearance on “The Russell Howard Hour”, Mr Bird supported him on his major national tour, including six straight shows at The London Palladium.
The Northamptonshire-born comedian, who began comedy in 2001, has also recently supported Troy Hawke and at The UK Comedy Awards was voted “Comic’s Comic-Best Act”.
In 2017, the 44-year-old founded Lone Wolf Comedy Club, a live stand up comedy based in Bicester at the Littlebury Hotel, with his wife, Katka Bird.
The club is going from strength to strength with many regulars and a newly launched gig in Witney.
The name of Mr Bird’s new tour was inspired by a conversation with his nine-year-old son, who when asked if he is ticklish, he replied “only my mind”.
“That’s the greatest description of a sense of humour I think I’ve ever heard,” said Mr Bird.
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“It’s always tricky to think of a title for a tour, as soon as he said it, I said well, that’s the next title.
“And lord knows we all need a good tickle in the mind now and then.”
The father-of-two has also supported Rhod Gilbert, Rob Brydon, America’s Brian Regan and Michelle Wolfe on their only London shows, as well as Michael McIntyre on an entire arena tour including Wembley and the 02.
He’s also written on the TV shows Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Andrew Bird (Image: Ed Nix) Mr Bird said he wouldn’t be able to tour if he hadn’t supported these big names. With no manager or agent, he does all the work himself.
Speaking about what people can expect from his tour, he said: “Firstly, because I’m so tight – that gets talked about a lot – there’s no support act, so I do all of it… don’t expect anyone else.
“A lot of people see me locally around Oxfordshire, we’ve got our regular gig in Bicester and anyone who is going to Banbury, who’s seen me in Bicester, will see the end product.
“There’s a lot – and I didn’t mean it to be – of stuff about me being tight with money… that always comes up.
“But there’s a lot of stuff about being annoyed at people who think they are unique or different in some way.
“I’m from Northampton, there’s no regional pride or identity”
The comedian said he finds it confusing people define themselves based on where they are from.
He added: “Everyone laughing in a room together – it’s not just that – its all finding some common ground it’s human connection.
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“We’re more similar than we are different. People who think they are unique or different I find really annoying.”
Mr Bird described his stand-up sense of humour as “storytelling, observational and a bit moany”.
Andrew Bird (Image: Ed Nix) “If anyone thinks I’m negative and moany on stage, they need to bear in mind that this is the most positive spin I’ve put on it.
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“The initial thoughts are much worse. This is as palatable and user friendly as I could possibly make it.”
His first show for his national tour is at the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury on Friday (February 7) and is nearly sold out.
Mr Bird said: “If you have a good gig in a club, it’s lovely, but when it goes well on a tour show and people have come to see you… that’s the thing I look forward to the most.”
Tickets for ‘A Ticklish Mind’ can be purchased here: andrewbirdcomedian.com
The line-up for the Bicester Comedy Festival will also be coming soon.