Best newcomer nominee Tegan Higginbotham.

Best newcomer nominee Tegan Higginbotham.

With just a handful of nights left before the end of the festival, the nominees for the Best Newcomer award have been announced.

The award goes to performers doing their first full show at the festival, including performers who may have previously been part of a group but are making their debut as solo performers.

The nominees are

  • Luke Heggie - Master of None (review)
  • Matt Okine - Black & Chicken & S&^* (review)
  • Ronny Chieng - The Ron Way (review)
  • Tegan Higginbotham - Million Dollar Tegan

From my perspective, it's been a particularly strong year for newcomers. I've seen all of the nominees and each has an impressive show. Regular readers of this blog would be aware that I'm a big fan of Chieng's show, but last night I saw Okine and was really impressed.

Okine only got a two star review from Cameron Woodhead, but I think the issues Woodhead raised (lack of confidence, for instance) stemmed from him seeing the show very early in the season. Okine was confident, comfortable and polished last night, holding the audience in the palm of his hand. His stand up is fairly straightforward in many ways, but his writing is clever and the jokes come thick and fast. Even after discussing his mother's death from cancer, he's still able to bring the energy and light back into the room. And his extended riff on jellyfish is just a brilliant bit of stand-up.

Higginbotham has been performing at the festival for a few years now, first with The Hounds and now (with Adam McKenzie) as part of Watson (who have been nominated for a Golden Gibbo). She's a bright, engaging storyteller, but I'm not sure that this tale of her boxing career is as strong as the others on the list.

Higginbotham has only one show left and it's already sold out, as has most of Chieng's season, but if you're looking to enjoy some of the best young talent at the festival, you should still be able to get your hands on tickets for Heggie or Okine.

UPDATE: I've also just learnt (via @samsimmons) that the unofficial 'renegade' Jhonsy award for best innovative local act has released its nominees:

  • Neil Sinclair
  • Dingo and Wolf
  • Anyone for Tennis (who are breaking up at the end of the fest - review)
  • Shane Matheson
  • Zoe Coombs Marr
  • Tommy Dassalo
  • Laura Davis (review)
  • Slow Clap
  • Al Newstead
  • Ladyboner

What do you think of the newcomer nominations? Anyone you feel deserved a nomination but missed out? Who do you think should win?

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