Black Country comic ready for biggest show to date in Birmingham

A Black Country comedian is preparing to take to one of the region’s biggest stages for the biggest performance of his career so far.

Jonny Cole, originally from Wednesbury, will bring his Armagudd’n tour to a close at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Tuesday, November 3, with an audience of around 8,000 expected.

The show will be a major step up in scale for the 47-year-old, whose previous biggest performance was at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall, which has a capacity of more than 2,000.

Despite the size of the arena, Jonny says he is determined not to put too much pressure on himself and will approach the performance just like any other date on the tour.

“I’m trying not to think about it too much, which is the key, and just try and enjoy it as much as I can,” he said.

“I’m just going to try and take it as it comes, just like another show. There’s a massive sense of relief the tour has gone so well, and a sense of pride in what we’ve achieved as a team, as I’m just one part of a massive working effort.

“I just feel very lucky is the overall feeling. I do pinch myself a lot and I do get imposter syndrome a lot. I’m looking forward to the night and a bit of a party.”

The tour has taken the comedian, known for his Black Country humour, around the country, with performances at venues of all sizes.

From theatres and comedy clubs with audiences of 100 to 200 people to larger halls, Jonny and his team have sold out most of the dates.

He said the arena show would require a slightly different approach on stage, but his main aim would remain the same.

“I’m going to see it as business as usual, but I’m playing to a much bigger audience, and I know my performance has got to be a little bit larger on stage.

“I’m just going to try and enjoy it. Normally, my rule is – if I’m enjoying myself, then there’s a good chance the audience will enjoy themselves as well.”

He also hinted that the Birmingham performance could include a few surprises.

“Yeah, come and find out,” he said. “It’s going to be special and going to be different to any other tour night that you may have been to see.”

As the tour draws to a close, Jonny says the material has become an important part of his life and personal journey.

“This material has changed my life, and it has been such a big part of my recovery, and me personally and my journey and focus,” he said.

“It will be emotional. I mean, there are times when once you’ve told a joke 180 times, it stops being funny, but I’ll always hold this material really sacred and I’ll remember it fondly.

“I want to have a tattoo of the setlist on my leg forever, on a tombstone, so it does mean a lot to me.”