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. 56 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

Charlie Badger, Joe Condit, El Murphy, Emma Rook, Stephen Widzinski, AJ York

Veteran Comedians

Emilia Barrosse, Justin Bradley, Max Shanker

Headliner

Chris Alan is a nationally touring standup comedian, writer and podcaster, based out of Washington, D.C. Chris’ style is a mix of well-crafted jokes and stories about his life ranging from his family to fatherhood, the military and marriage, coupled with quick-witted crowd interactions, the show can go anywhere at any time. Chris’s style keeps audiences engaged and on their toes.He has shared the stage and opened for some of the best working comedians in the country, comics such as Roy Wood Jr, Michael Che, Mark Normand, Neal Brennan, Hannibal Buress, Colin Quinn, Bruce Bruce, and others. He also hosts a growing weekly podcast--"Negro Please Radio"--which is available on all streaming platforms. He’s currently touring clubs and venues across the country.He is a retired 20-year veteran of the USAF, he is married and has a son.

Live Music

Jared Presley birthday show w/ dracmina

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.