Acclaimed Brooklyn-based musical comedian Ian Lockwood makes his UK debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a laugh a minute, narrative concert experience about life, death, and friendship. He is the host of Ian Lockwood’s Girlfriend Pageant at Union Hall and has had recurring appearances on the Earwolf podcast Earwolf Presents.
Lockwood recently released his second studio EP, Not Like Other Girls, comprising five tracks in the comedy-pop style that has become his signature in the Brooklyn alternative scene.
The Farewell Tour features 10 original comedy pop songs performed in three thematic acts (Heaven, Hell, and Earth). Packed with catchy tunes, stunning visual projections, gravity defying choreography and pre-recorded interviews, audiences can also look forward to plenty of pop star monologues (in the style of Taylor Swift or Adele) that address the pain that led Ian Lockwood to a detached life of stardom and the fear of abandonment masked by a confident pop-star-facade.
Q&A with Ian Lockwood
How does it feel to be making your debut at Edinburgh Fringe?
It feels correct! While of course I also feel excited and terrified, there’s nothing I love more than singing my insane funny songs for people, so the idea of doing it for a month straight feels really wonderful. I’m really starting to lock in.
What can you tell us about your show and its inspiration?
My show is an hour long concert of my comedy pop music that ends with my death, complete with dancing, digital back up dancers, a flute solo and a few more surprises. I was very inspired by Taylor Swift, actually. After seeing The Eras Tour, I could not get the idea of that level of fame out of my head, and I knew I needed to do a hilarious, over-the-top concert spectacular. Throw in a sneaky little through-line about my fear of abandonment and you’ve got Ian Lockwood: The Farewell Tour.
How do you think audiences will react to the show?
I think audiences will find themselves highly entertained and a bit shocked! I feel I’ve put in the care to create a show that is never boring, full of laughs and constantly surprising, so at the very least I can promise you won’t be yawning. But I also think audiences will be a bit stunned with how far things go in the show, not only in the very riotously unhinged content of my comedy music, but also in the way I deal with the more serious content of the show.
How have you been preparing for the festival?
Conditioning! The three previews I’ve done of this show have completely kicked my ass. Turns out singing, dancing and emotionally yelling for a full hour is pretty exhausting – who knew? I’ve been hitting the gym and dance class non-stop and I’ve just started singing through the show while running on the treadmill, which I’ve heard is called “vocal cardio”.
Will you get a chance to enjoy the rest of the festival?
I think so, but honestly, only because of questions like these and advice from previous Fringies. I’ve been told a bunch of times that you can fall into a trap by being so focused on your show every night that you don’t let yourself have any other fun (and that’s honestly totally the type of person I am). Luckily, I’ve already started to make some wonderful friends ahead of the festival and I think they’ll help me keep my head on straight.
Ian Lockwood: The Farewell Tour is at Underbelly George Square from 31 July to 26 August
