The First Annual

Laugh Riot Comedy & Music Festival

Laugh. Vote. Riot.

Cincinnati's comedy and live-music scenes collide at The Comet every Saturday this summer — July 11 through August 29 — for an audience-powered showdown. 63 comedians compete. You decide who advances.

Each week, 6 Rookie and 3 Veteran comedians take the stage and battle for your votes and judges' scores. Weekly winners earn $50, a future Bombs Away! booking, and a spot in the Finals. After the laughs, Cincinnati's best punk, metal, hardcore, and rock bands play the night out — plus killer burritos. Tickets are priced low so everyone can make it.

The heart and soul of Bombs Away! Comedy lies within the legendary, storied music venue known as The Comet. For 30 years, The Comet has been an iconic locale for music across every imaginable genre, and now hosts Bombs Away! Comedy shows every Saturday night. If you’ve ever wanted to be the person who is able to say, “I saw them back when…,” these shows are the place to do it.

Reserve your tickets for an offbeat date, an unconventional night out with friends, and see some of America’s best comedy acts in an intimate setting. The Comet is a Northside institution featuring giant burritos, easy street parking with ample lighting, and a staggering selection of spirits and local craft beverages. If you’re not already hip to this staple in Cincinnati nightlife, join us!

Tonight's Performers

Rookie Comedians

Ellyn Broderick, Jordane Edmondson, Jeff Miller, Michelle Potson, Andrew Pinnell

Veteran Comedians

Jake Hovis, Danny Sellers, Chris Siemer

Headliner

Voted “Best Comedian in Washtenaw County” in 2022 and 2023 by Current Magazine, Andrew Yang is a Michigan comic who runs shows at a punk rock venue in the Blind Pig and is a founder of the Tree Town Comedy Festival. Onstage, Andrew charms audiences with his energetic personality and engrossing stories mostly at his own expense. He has been fortunate enough to work with a few of his comedy heroes including Beth Stelling, Jackie Kashian, and one time had lunch with Maria Bamford. Andrew has performed on festivals across the country including the Upper Left Comedy Festival in Seattle, Let’s Fest in Indianapolis, and the Treefort Music Festival in Boise. He has also been featured on NPR. When he’s not on stage he’s probably on Yelp trying to decide what to eat later.

Live Music

Perfect Stranglers / Joseph and his Ghost

Prizes

Weekly Winner

$50+ booking + Finals invite

Finals Winner

$300+ second booking

Your Vote Counts

Winners are decided equally by audience vote and judges' scores. Each ticket gets you a vote for your 2 favorite rookies and 2 favorite veterans. No joke experience required — just an opinion and a good time.