Comedian, musician and actor Bill Bailey is at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Saturday 17th February with his currently touring big show, ‘Thoughtifier’, the latest in a long line of memorably-named tours including previously acclaimed hits ‘Part Troll’ and ‘Qualmpeddler’.
You would struggle to find an act for whom the word ‘beloved’ appears more appropriately reserved than Bailey in the UK, a tenured multi-disciplinarian across the creative fields with an excellent reputation and body of work spanning television, music, festivals scenes and the touring circuit.
While Bailey’s greatest success can broadly be located in the comedy sphere, he is a very talented musician in his own right, with the ability to play a countless number of eclectic instruments. Music has been a cornerstone of his comedy performances since the 1980s, incorporating musical parody into his work well before his ‘90s breakthrough as a stand-up and subsequent glow-up as an internationally touring arena act.
His observational skills in service of the perhaps peerless deconstructive work he has long specialised in on stage are highly and deservedly touted, winning an admiration widespread enough to command audiences ranging from the arenas he will frequent on this tour to large and often unpredictable festival crowds, such as when famously playing the 2011 Sonisphere Festival. To boot, Bailey boasts the 2020 championship of Strictly Come Dancing, which speaks to his trenchant adaptability and much-treasured nature.
Bailey is a rare figure in British public life, with a toe in both the mainstream and in more alternative circles, where his offbeat and open-minded taste has often led him. To secure appeal in both is unique, but speaks to a passion and authority inherent to his output and character, with his charisma and likeability dazzlingly obvious, whether waxing lyrical on a niche interest or crafting a playful undercutting of some ubiquitous aspect of modern life. Indeed, from a musical perspective, some of the most surgical and thought-provoking takes on pop music have come from individuals versed in metal and other off-radar forms – and Bailey is testament to this.
Provoking thoughts is certainly something this show will aim squarely for, as usual and as referenced by its moniker. Described as “A magical, musical mystery tour of the human mind, along with some other pressing matters about whales, biophilia, unrequited love and other thoughts”, the gig promises an ambitious and lovably detouring journey replete with comedic brilliance and hilariously crafted interrogations of traits both musical and cultural.
Tickets, priced at £42.50 in advance, are available from ticketmaster.co.uk.
