It could have all gone a bit pear shaped when just prior to the festival one of the key venues – Remedy in Fallowfield housing all the XSMalarkey gigs – was promptly closed by the council. Most shows were re-housed in the Queen of Hearts pub across the way but one gig, Andrew O’Neill’s was squirreled off into town to relatively new music venue Sound Control. Despite the upheaval there was a fine crowd awaiting him in the lovely little venue as the tour of his latest show Occult Comedian dropped by the festival. Having not seen O’Neill perform for some time but knowing that it’s always a pleasure it seemed like a fine way to spend a Saturday night. As ever I was greeted warmly by the comic himself looking resplendent in a top, short skirt and baseball boots (replaced by killer heels prior to mounting the stage) all in matching black with a slash of red lipstick. The boy has style. I should explain that O’Neill is the only straight, transvestite, anarchist, metal head on the comedy circuit. It’s a gift of an angle for a comedian but it’s far from a gimmick as O’Neill’s material has no problems speaking for itself. As he takes us on a journey through his life taking in Satanism, magic, veganism, cross dressing, sexuality, gender and not forgetting his music taste his stand up skill is well displayed. It’s surreal and offbeat in many places, he’s always keen to keep us on our toes with a random line. Yet it’s intelligent and his references and topics are clearly, interestingly and above all wittily explained.; he certainly knows how to finely craft a gag. All in all a grand way to spend a Saturday night.