Josh Weller came to London to ‘make it big’ in music. And then… he didn’t.
The show is a love letter to music, a break-up letter to the industry and an hour of high-octane stand-up from a man ready to stare his younger self in the face.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
I’m a failed musician. I signed to Universal when I was 23 years old and was dropped within a year. Age Against The Machine is my love letter to music, and all the mad and ridiculous stories from my time in the music industry. How do bands try to write hit records? What is touring really like? How does trying to ‘make it in the music business’ really work? Was my music terrible?! Almost certainly…
Tell us about the creative team and process involved?
It’s a combination of hundreds and hundreds of stand-up gigs. Gigging every night, finding a tiny nugget of a good joke buried in a pile of terrible jokes, refining, folding, finessing and doing a hundred more gigs, then fine-tuning material. The narrative came from comedian Claire Haus who advised I ‘lean into my niche’ meaning my knowledge of music and the music industry, then Alex Edelman and Alfie Brown have helped build the show, along with the genius mind of Adam Brace.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
It’s like turning up late to a party I wasn’t invited to.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
I can guarantee my show is the only show at the Fringe about signing a record deal, chasing an ill-thought out dream of becoming a popstar, with all the intricacies and hilarity from within the music industry, with an overlying love letter to pop music. Which also makes it the best show about that by default. Unless Mick Hucknall is doing a show then I’m fucked.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping for the audience to take away?
Their empty cups.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t there…
If I can pull in a crowd of music nerds every night I’ll be ecstatic. And the entire lead cast of Star Trek The Next Generation so I can ask them about various plot holes in episodes – Like if Lieutenant Commander Riker can have a twin brother from a transporter buffer stream malfunction, then why did Captain Janeway have to kill Tuvix in Star Trek Voyager? It makes no logical sense and she should be jailed by Starfleet and stripped of rank. I’m sure all your readers will agree.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
Looking for Star Trek plot holes.
In your ideal world, how can we improve the world of the Fringe, of performance, and the industry?
I’m no expert, but I think charging comedians upwards of £2500 rent for one month, along with bankrupting them through mountains of other costs and hidden fees during a cost of living crisis probably isn’t the best way to sustain showcasing THE BEST new talent in the arts. It will funnel the artists down to the ones who can afford it, and we’ve all heard Will Smith’s kids music. I’m very lucky my dad invented the Post-It Note, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to bring my super-yacht/third home to live in for the festival duration. I can barely afford my private chef, it’s unacceptable.
