Machynlleth Comedy Festival returned to the Powys town for their 2024 event, as dozens of comedians and performers descended on the town.

From May 3 to May 5, Machynlleth played host to hundreds of comedy fans who turned up to the eleventh annual Machynlleth Comedy Festival, an even once described by Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert as “one of the best festivals in the world”.

For 2024 the festival welcomed comedians such as James Acaster, Miles Jupp, Rose Matafeo, Mark Watson and Sophie Duker.

Among the many well-reviewed performances, events and attractions on display at the festival, here are some of the highlights of what the weekend had to offer.

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Kiri Pritchard-Mclean

The Welsh comedian stopped by the festival to launch her latest tour, with her two shows in Machynlleth serving as the opening night for the ‘TV Flashbacks’ star and five time Chortle Award winner.

Performing two sold out shows on May 4 and May 5, at least 800 people attended her performances, with the comedian saying that she was “blown away” by the first gig of her ongoing tour, adding “what a way to kick off the tour”.

 

Restaurant shows

Machynlleth restaurants, Ynyshir and Gwen Wine Bar & Restaurant partnered with the festival to host mini comedy clubs on May 4 and May 5, welcoming multiple guests to perform while appetisers were served to the audience, with both shows quickly selling out.

Festival founder Henry Widdicombe said: "We first worked with Ynyshir a few years ago and the gig went really well, with audiences being served small appetisers between acts such as Nish Kumar and Mark Watson.

“So, we decided to build on that this year collaborating with both Ynyshir and Gwen in town".

"There aren't many better things for an area to be known for than good food and good comedy, and so we think it's an ideal partnership."

 

Mike Wozniak

‘Man Down’ star and ‘Taskmaster’ alumni had a busy weekend at the festival, taking to the stage for several sold out shows during the 2024 festival.

Wozniak entertained audiences for multiple Mike Wozniak for multiple solo standup shows, as well as performing as part of a live show by the podcast ‘Three Bean Salad’, which he co-hosts with Henry Paker and Benjamin Partridge.

Following the announcement that the trio would be presenting a show, took just over a day for the venue to sell out its tickets for the trio of comedians, adding another show due to increased demand which also sold out.

 

Radio station

Little Wander Radio were broadcasting live from the festival over the weekend in the for their festival radio station.

While at the event, the station also presented DJ sets from several comedians also in Machynlleth, live from the lawn of the Owain Glyndwr Institute.

Some of the DJ sets included appearances by James Acaster, Josh Widdicombe, Athena Kugblenu and Lorna Rose Treen.

 

DJ Battles

As a closer for another eventful year for the festival, comedian Ivo Graham rounded out the 2024 Machynlleth Comedy Festival with Comedians’ DJ Battles on Sunday, May 5 from Y Plas’ main hall.

The sold out show saw Graham bringing his hit show from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to Mid Wales, described as “the most competitive club night in comedy”.

The show featured an array of comedians submitting their own playlists and songs for Graham to host “the deadly serious business of who’s got the actual measurable best taste in music”.