Edinburgh Fringe 2025: 12 rising stars of comedy to see
With the Edinburgh Fringe upon us, here’s some of the most exciting new talent to add to your festival itinerary
FTo quote the great poet Alicia Keys: “Concrete jungle where dreams are made of there’s nothin’ you can’t do. Granted she was talking about the streets of New York, but it’s a mantra that rings true with the Edinburgh Fringe.
Every year a new batch of up-and-coming comics travel up (or down if they’re north of the Firth of Forth) to the Scottish capital to empty their bank balances and risk their mental health in the hope of being discovered by comedy bigwigs. And to those that do, we salute you.
But who should you take a punt on? We’ve trawled through all the exciting new acts and handpicked 12 select shows for your consideration.
Molly McGuinness
The show: Slob
What is it?: The Edinburgh template may dictate that you exaggerate the slightest misfortune to serve as tenuous pathos, but McGuinness is having none of that. With a story that involves an actual life-threatening illness others would die for, her approach is matter-of-fact, genuine and deft – and all the more powerful for it. A beacon of warmth and wit in a sea of middle-class mediocrity.
Where is it?: 14:55, Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire) – CabVol 2
Paul Campbell
The show: The Lost Tapes of Somerfield
What is it?: Campbell pops and fizzes with such exuberance on stage that it is near impossible not to get swept along – even if his muse is a now defunct supermarket chain. With a lovely turn of phrase that would give Jarvis Cocker the excitations, he has a gift for making the everyday feel epic. Of course there is an innate ridiculousness to it all but also a weird kind of beauty.
Where is it?: 13:00, Hoots @ Potterrow – Wee Container
Ayo Adenekan
The show: Black Mediocrity
What is it?: There is so much to love about Ayo Adenekan. Whether it’s his whip smart wordplay – including a pearl of a play on his own name – biting commentary on the moral compass of football fans, or laments on being one of the few black people growing up in super white Edinburgh, Adenekan is a star in the making. This is a show about identity that’s anything but mediocre.
Where is it?: 13:30, Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire) – CabVol 2
Hasan Al-Habib
The show: Death to the West (Midlands)
What is it?: Despite the fact this is his Edinburgh debut – following last year’s winning turn as one half of (the returning) 2 Muslim 2 Furious with Aisha Amanduri – Al-Habib doesn’t seem to have many rough edges to hone. He is remarkably polished for someone so early in his comedy journey, with a charm and mainstream appeal that belies the causticity of much of his best material.
Where is it?: 16:30, Pleasance Courtyard – Below
Alex Stringer
The show: Happy Hour
What is it?: Stringer has picked a perfectly apt title for her debut. On the one hand, this is an unflinching show that covers such weighty topics as alcoholism, mental health issues and love laugh love signage; on the other, it does exactly what it says on the tin. The always ebullient Stringer makes you happy for an hour, as she weaves comedy gold from the darkest of subject matter.
Where is it?: 18:00, Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Three
Dean Coughlin
The show: Oblivious Sausage
What is it?: His lilting Scouse accent, laid-back delivery and affable on-stage persona may point to a certain nonchalance but don’t be fooled by Coughlin’s unassuming stoner act – he’s as sharp as a tack and extremely quick-witted. From extolling the merits of weed, to decoupling vampires and goths, to an exquisite bit on the dangers of gateway cheeses, this is extremely good shit.
Where is it?: 17:50, Just The Tonic Legends – Just the Tonic at The Subway (from Aug 13)
Aaron Wood
The show: More to Life
What is it?: This may be his Edinburgh debut but rest assured Wood will be more than match-ready having honed his act for years on the northern circuit. What you’ll get is a crowd-pleasing entertainer sharing working-class anecdotes about growing up on an estate, moving up in the world (from Stockport to Oldham) and realising that ‘reaching out to your mates’ isn’t always that easy.
Where is it?: 16:50, Hoots @ The Apex – Hoot 3
Shalaka Kurup
The show: Get A Grip
What is it?: In equal parts incredulous and sardonic about the world around her, Kurup is a slick and lively raconteur who shines especially bright when highlighting the myriad of cultural differences between her native India and the UK. She aims regular jabs at the latter with such elan and mischievous charm that it’s impossible not to roll with her punches and admire the craft.
Where is it?: 20:30, Pleasance Courtyard – Attic
James Trickey
The show: Don’t Count On Me
What is it?: Trickey plays with the concept of identity in a way that is both highly specific and hugely relatable. Whether it’s race, class, career or calling, he overthinks each introspective conundrum into a very funny bit. He also happens to be at his most persuasive and eloquent when talking about the dumbest shit possible so he’s probably picked the right vocation.
Where is it?: 21:15, Pleasance Courtyard – Cellar
Sharon Wanjohi
The show: In the House
What is it?: There is not a moment when Wanjohi is on stage that you don’t feel completely engaged and fixated with what she has to say and how she says it. Everything is delivered with such exuberance and flair – whether it’s acting out anecdotes, smilingly delivering barbs, going off into surreal tangents or setting the world to rights – she grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.
Where is it?: 18:55, Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two
Jacob Nussey
The show: Primed
What is it?: His low-key, softly spoken delivery may initially suggest he’s on stage to inform someone their car is blocking the entrance, but Nussey’s unassuming style is the perfect foil for a deceptively fast-paced and gag-heavy act. Every second line gets a big laugh. He is a wonderfully idiosyncratic performer, an extremely gifted joke writer and very clearly a star in the making.
Where is it?: 19:15, Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Three
Roger O’Sullivan
The show: Fekken
What is it?: A show called Fekken that unpacks the trials and tribulations of growing up in rural Cork via the lo-fi stylings of classic 90s video games? Abso-fucking-lutely. Talents like O’Sullivan don’t come around very often. Everything and everyone – good, bad and even traumatic – that have shaped who he is today have inadvertently created an absolute gem. He is such an exciting, inventive and singular talent that it will be fascinating to delve into his origin story.
Where is it?: 12:40, Hoots @ The Apex – Hoot 2