micky flanagan tour 2023 warm up

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Going out-out again: Micky Flanagan’s irresistibly unreconstructed comedy comeback

After several years away, the cheeky cockney comic is doubling down on his good-old-days brand – but despite his geezerish nostalgia he’s no anti-woke crusader

M icky Flanagan was worried, he says, that audiences might have moved on. Fair enough: it has been half a decade since he last graced the nation’s stages, when the man who defined the difference between going “out” and “ out out ” was arguably the UK’s most popular comedian . But time waits for no standup, least of all when the intervening period has seen him hit 60, and seen the context change in which old-school, cheeky chappy comedy might be delivered.

And yet, his worries are without substance, if the opening night of his Hammersmith run was any gauge. These were the last warm-up gigs before Flanagan’s tour proper starts next week, and they found the east Londoner in evergreen form, and rapturously received by a crowd that still adores him. Watching it, one could believe the market may even be growing for Flanagan’s brand of comedy, which looks at poncy modernity with the sceptical eye of one who grew up poor and without sentimentality in the middle of the previous century. These are confusing times, and there’s something reassuring about the solid certainties from a simpler age that Flanagan brings – or at least there is when delivered with Flanagan’s fundamental unseriousness and sense of fun.

The new show, If Ever We Needed It, seems even older-school than I’d expect from the comic, whose best material is smarter and more slippery than the geezer stylings suggest. But this is back-to-basics Mick, with lots of material on ’er indoors, the sitcom On the Buses , no less, and the idiocy of much modern living. The “smart meter” is contrasted with Flanagan’s dad’s no-nonsense method of dodging energy payments in the 1960s. Rimming is expertly mined for every shovelful of its obvious comic value, much as pegging was when last Flanagan took to the stage. Part of the fun of this routine is the contrast our host draws with the days of his youth, when a blowjob seemed like the most exotic of innovations.

If this all sounds blokey, well, that’s part of Flanagan’s appeal. Not for him any modern sheepishness about masculinity: that’s not what they taught you, I imagine, at Billingsgate fish market, where young Micky plied his trade. Flanagan doesn’t pretend to be anything he’s not, whether that’s an enfeebled husband mouthing swearwords behind his wife’s back, or a domestic busybody laminating the bin rota and hunting down the right items to fit the right tins. That authenticity is his ally as a comic – but equally, the refusal to rein himself in can lead to missteps. A routine tonight envying “the Arabian man”, not least for the supposed docility of his womanfolk, is a bit too 1960s for comfort.

Does this – and Flanagan’s other material on the so-called culture wars – mean we should bracket comeback-era Micky alongside Gervais and co, as another middle-aged megastar flaunting his anti-woke credentials ? Not really. Flanagan lacks the ego to set himself up as a crusader for free speech, or anything else. Nor is he in the business of upsetting anyone: his detour into trans competitors in women’s swimming (“I was straight on the Ladbrokes app”) gracefully swerves wider debates about gender. And while some might take umbrage at routines waxing nostalgic about heavy breathers (so much more innocent, argues our host, than the sexual behaviours of our own era), Flanagan’s treatment is irresistibly comical and cynicism-free.

He’s breaking no new ground then, with this return after half a decade away. But Flanagan occupies his existing terrain with great authority, lightly worn. Performed this well, there’ll always be an audience for the unreconstructed comedy of marital grouches and hair-raising sex, “remember the good old days” and dismay at modernity. Far from moving on, audiences will likely flock back to Flanagan by the thousand.

Micky Flanagan is on tour until 2 June.

• Micky Flanagan
• Comedy (Stage)
• Comedy (Culture)

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

• Join Micky’s Mailing List

Micky Flanagan

Official website, sign up to micky’s mailing list to be the first to hear about upcoming events., join micky flanagan’s mailing list.

• Photos by Antony Medley
• © Micky Flanagan

Micky Flanagan announces new tour dates

Friday 17th February 2023, 1:36pm

• Micky Flanagan is embarking on a major new tour
• The first dates for If Ever We Needed It... have been announced today
• Tickets go on sale on Saturday 25th February

Micky Flanagan is going back on tour this year with new show If Ever We Needed It... .

Tickets go on sale next Saturday, 25th February, at 10am, and a first batch of eight dates have been announced today. They will be available to purchase through Ticketmaster .

Promoters tease: "The show covers Micky turning 60 - who'd have thought it? - as well as having sex with your glasses on, his school alumni and his ballbag. It's fair to say it's for over-16s."

Wednesday 15th March - Bournemouth, International Centre Friday 24th March - Dublin, 3Arena Thursday 30th March - Birmingham, Utilita Arena Thursday 13 April - Glasgow, OVO Hydro Thursday 20th April - Leeds, First Direct Arena Thursday 11th May - London, The O2 Friday 12th May - London, The O2 Saturday 13th May - London, The O2

Share this page

Donate to british comedy guide.

Join us in our mission to support and promote British comedy across the decades.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Get all the latest news and information in your inbox, with our range of email newsletters to meet all interests.

This article contains one or more affiliate links . If you follow one of these links, and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Micky Flanagan announces 2023 UK tour dates: how to get tickets

• Tamara McWilliam
• 17 February 2023

• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Pinterest
• Share via email

The stand-up legend will take over venues in Bournemouth, Birmingham, Glasgow and more this spring as part of his If We Ever Needed It… Tour

British comedian Micky Flanagan has announced a run of 2023 UK tour dates this spring. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Saturday 25 February.

The brand new If We Ever Needed It…Tour will kick off on Wednesday 15 March at Bournemouth's International Centre before heading to the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Thursday 30 March.

On Thursday 13 April, the Whitechapel native will headline the OVO Hydro in Glasgow before heading to The O2 in London for three consecutive shows on Thursday 11, Friday 12 and Saturday 13 May. See a full list of tour dates and venues below.

The tour will commence after a run of previously-announced at the O2 City Hall in Newcastle and Manchester's O2 Apollo on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 February, Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 March. Limited tickets for these shows are still available.

Micky Flanagan 2023 UK tour dates: Tuesday 21 February – O2 City Hall, Newcastle Wednesday 22 February – O2 City Hall, Newcastle Wednesday 1 March – O2 Apollo, Manchester Thursday 2 March – O2 Apollo, Manchester Wednesday 15 March – Bournemouth International Centre Thursday 30 March – Utilita Arena, Birmingham Thursday 13 April – OVO Hydro, Glasgow Thursday 11 - Saturday 13 May – The O2, London

Tickets for Micky Flanagan go on sale at 10am on Saturday 25 February.

Micky Flanagan: Warm Up

Micky Flanagan’s Warm Up Show at Leicester Square Theatre. To help stop ticket touts when you purchase tickets to this show you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions: Photo ID must match the name of the person present in order to gain access. This event is for fans only. Tickets are to be purchased for…

Micky Flanagan: If We Ever Needed It…

Micky Flanagan is back with a brand new live show. If We Ever Needed It… Micky’s been double busy writing the new show and it’s already proved a hit with fans, he’s even been doing matinees. The current run of shows starts in Bournemouth and includes Dublin, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds and finishes in London. The show…

Similar articles

Micky Flanagan adds extra UK dates to 2023 If We Ever Needed It…Tour: how to get tickets (29 Mar 2023) The comic will perform extra dates in Cardiff and London as part of the smash-hit tour

Jack Whitehall announces UK dates for 2023 Settle Down Tour: how to get tickets (4 Apr 2023) The hit comedian will headline arenas in Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and more this summer

Mo Gilligan announces dates for 2024 UK leg of In The Moment World Tour: how to get tickets (29 Mar 2023) The award-winning stand-up comic will headline venues in Leeds, Oxford, Manchester and more in autumn next year

Jon Richardson extends The Knitwit UK Tour in 2024: how to get tickets (20 Mar 2023) The hit comedian adds new shows in York, Manchester, Cardiff and more this winter

Tickets for Micky Flanagan's 2023 UK arena tour dates go on sale at 10am today (25 Feb 2023) The record-breaking comedian will headline arenas in Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and more this spring

Want tickets for Micky Flanagan's 2023 UK tour dates? Here's everything you need to know (23 Feb 2023) The award-winning comic will hit venues in Newcastle, Manchester, Bournemouth and more as part of his If We Ever Needed It… Tour

Romesh Ranganathan plots Nottingham and Leeds shows for 2024 Hustle Tour: how to get tickets (13 Dec 2022) The comedy star will hit arenas throughout the UK next April, May and June

Ricky Gervais announces extra shows for 2023 Armageddon Tour: how to get tickets (12 Dec 2022) The award-winning stand-up comedian will perform in York, Cardiff, Glasgow and more next year

• If We Ever Needed It
• Micky Flanagan
• stand-up comedy

Need to know about comedy in your area?

Discover how with Data Thistle

This event has passed.

Micky Flanagan

If ever we needed it.

• Date 11 May - 2 June 2023
• Venue The O2 arena
• Availability On sale now

Event Details

This event is a phone free experience. Upon entry your mobile tickets will be scanned and your seat details will be printed out on a paper ticket before your phone is locked away in a Yondr pouch. If you would like to transfer tickets to other members of your party, please do so before the event.

No mobile phones, smart watches/accessories, cameras or recording devices will be allowed in the arena at this event.  Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches/accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be unlocked at the end of the show. Guests maintain possession of their phones throughout the night, and if needed, may access their phones at designated Yondr phone zones located on the arena concourses.

Age restriction:16+

Micky Flanagan is back with a brand-new live show ‘If Ever We Needed It…’, he’s been double busy writing and it’s already proved a hit with fans. He’ll bring his live show to The O2 for multiple dates in May and June 2023.

He’s the man who gave Britain the “Out Out” phrase, which was used by Piccadilly Circus tube to put a smile on commuters’ faces as we came out out of Lockdown and went on to be used by TFL to encourage people back into theatres, restaurants and clubs.  Micky cut his comedy teeth at these clubs and it clearly paid off. His routines online, including the Perks of Peeping, The Shits Abroad, The Crafty Cockney, Tomato Sauce and Chicken Children, have been viewed in the hundred millions, and are a huge hit on TikTok. He keeps us laughing through the tough times – and if ever we needed it, it’s now! 

Additional Ticket Information

Important Information - How to download your tickets on The O2 app

For this show, if you’ve purchased your tickets from theo2.co.uk or AXS.com you’ll need to display your ticket on your phone via The O2 app. Ticket purchasers will receive an email with news and information on  AXS Mobile ID tickets  and how you can download your tickets to your phone. 

If you’ve bought your tickets for this show via AXS then you can re-sell your tickets with AXS Official Resale   which gives you a safe, simple, and fair way to buy and sell tickets.

For more information on re-selling tickets from AXS and other ticket agents  click here .  

Please note:  If you purchase  resale   tickets for this show through any website other than via theo2.co.uk or axs.com, your tickets may not be valid and access to the venue could be refused.

Sign up for updates and pre-sales

Upcoming events.

Michael McIntyre : MACNIFICENT

EUROPEAN TOUR

Romesh Ranganathan

Hustle 2024 tour.

THE BIGGEST YOU'VE EVER HAD

Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny

Dates and venues confirmed for Micky Flanagan’s new tour

Micky’s been double busy writing the new show and it’s already proved a hit with fans, he’s even been doing matinees. 

“#mickyflanagan absolutely brilliant in Southend this afternoon on his warm up show – you’re in for a treat!” “The boy’s as funny as hell and it’s only the warm-up shows #iknowitsanemptystage”  “Just got back from seeing Micky Flanagan pre tour show in Blackpool. Ridiculously funny! If that’s a warm-up, the tour will be hysterical!”

The current run of shows, announced earlier this week , starts in Bournemouth on 15th March and includes Dublin, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds and finishes in London on 13th May. The show covers Micky turning 60 – who’d have thought it? – as well as having sex with your glasses on, his school alumni and his ballbag. It’s fair to say it’s for over-16s.

For updates and access to presale tickets from Wednesday 22nd February, join the mailing list on Micky’s official website . Tickets go on general sale from 10am Saturday 25th February.

He’s the man who gave Britain the “Out Out” phrase, which was used by Piccadilly Circus tube to put a smile on commuters’ faces as we came out of Lockdown and went on to be used by TFL to encourage people back into theatres, restaurants and clubs.  Micky cut his comedy teeth at these clubs and it clearly paid off.

His routines online, including the Perks of Peeping, The Shits Abroad, The Crafty Cockney, The Demise of Fingering, Tomato Sauce and Chicken Children, have been viewed in the hundred millions, and are a huge hit on TikTok. He keeps us laughing through the tough times – and if ever we needed it, it’s now! 

• ‘ Shakes the rafters with laughter’ Evening Standard
• ‘ The country’s most popular comic’ The Guardian
•  ‘ On the form of his life’ The Times

Micky Flanagan 2023 tour dates:

• Friday 24th March – Dublin – 3Arena
• Thursday 30th March – Birmingham – Utilita Arena
• Thursday 13 April – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
• Thursday 20th April – Leeds – First Direct Arena
• Thursday 11th May – London – The O2
• Friday 12th May – London – The O2
• Saturday 13th May – London – The O2

The full list of tour dates is not yet available. For updates and access to presale tickets from Wednesday 22nd February, join the mailing list on Micky’s official website . Tickets go on general sale from 10am Saturday 25th February.

Amnesia announces official opening party line-up for May 2023

Lil nas x announced for nos alive 2023, you may also like, john bishop announces ‘back at it’ tour extension..., leigh francis announces first-ever live tour for 2024, micky flanagan adds new dates in cardiff and..., mo gilligan announces uk tour dates, ricky gervais adds new uk shows for 2023, tommyinnit announces first major uk tour, instant sell-out for ‘the always sunny podcast live’..., micky flanagan returns with a brand new live..., the always sunny podcast is coming to london’s....

• Discount Codes

Micky Flanagan announces UK and Ireland comeback tour – here’s how to get tickets

It's the comedian's first tour since 2017

Comedian Micky Flanagan has announced a UK and Ireland comeback tour – you can find details on how to secure tickets below.

Titled If Ever We Needed It , Flanagan’s new live show beings its tour in Bournemouth on March 15, before heading to Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds and then finishing in London on May 13.

Full details of the tour schedule will be released closer to the date tickets go on sale, which will be at 10am on February 25 . In the meantime, fans can subscribe to the mailing list on his website to secure pre-sale tickets.

Hi all, due to impersonations, this is my official twitter. I’m afraid I won't be using it. For the latest news please join my mailing list at https://t.co/fPxqdXeC9a & subscribe to my youtube channel https://t.co/3exZGRQVWb — Micky Flanagan (@MickyF_Official) February 25, 2021

Per the official description, the show “covers Flanagan turning 60, as well as having sex with your glasses on, his high school alumni and his ballbag. It’s fair to say it’s for over-16s.”

It continues: “He’s the man who gave Britain the “Out Out” phrase, which was used by Piccadilly Circus tube to put a smile on commuters’ faces as we came out out of Lockdown and went on to be used by TfL to encourage people back into theatres, restaurants and clubs. Micky cut his comedy teeth at these clubs and it clearly paid off.

“His routines online, including the Perks of Peeping, The Shits Abroad, The Crafty Cockney, The Demise of Fingering, Tomato Sauce and Chicken Children, have been viewed in the hundred millions, and are a huge hit on TikTok. He keeps us laughing through the tough times – and if ever we needed it, it’s now!”

The new show will follow Flanagan’s run of previously announced warm up gigs in Newcastle later in February, and Manchester and London in early March. The comedian last took a show on the road in 2017 with his An’ Another Fing Tour.

You can find the tour dates for his warm-up shows below:

February 21, 2023 – Newcastle Upon Tyne, O2 City Hall February 22, 2023 – Newcastle Upon Tyne, O2 City Hall March 1, 2023 – Manchester, O2 Apollo March 2, 2023 – Manchester, O2 Apollo Sun March 5, 2023 – London, Eventim Apollo Mon March 6, 2023 – London, Eventim Apollo Tue March 7, 2023 – London, Eventim Apollo

• Related Topics

You May Also Like

The nme magazine march/april 2024 issue with chappell roan on the cover is now on sale, mae muller to headline club nme in london – get the full details, karin ann’s spectacular second act, how benioff and weiss put ‘game of thrones’ behind them, ‘dragon’s dogma 2’ review: you can’t go wrong with this adventurous masterwork, more stories, róisín murphy says backlash to trans comments “wasn’t that bad”, guy garvey on pre-fame elbow delivering pizza to the stone roses, now azealia banks and kt tunstall are best friends on social media after ‘cowboy carter’ claims, the who’s roger daltrey at 80: “i have to be realistic. i’m on my way out”, here’s the story of the couple getting married on the cover of pulp’s ‘a different class’, fans say beyoncé’s ‘cowboy carter’ is missing tracks on vinyl.