Overview
When it comes to Black Books stars bringing their stand-up shows Down Under, do Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran alternate years on purpose? Do they share a little book of calendars to plot out who'll be getting Australians giggling when? Bailey last toured here in 2022, then Moran took to the stage in 2023 — so yes, that means that it's Bailey's turn in 2024.
Fancy seeing out spring by chucking at the British favourite who's known not just for starring in Black Books opposite Moran, but for everything from Have I Got News for You and QI to Spaced, Hot Fuzz and Skins as well? Then you'll want to make a date with Bailey's just-announced Thoughtifer shows. He's locked in 16 gigs in 15 cities — Sydney gets two — across October and November 2024 to have Aussies in stitches again.
Andy Hollingworth
Bailey will be celebrating humanity's flaws in his latest sets, on what's been dubbed "a magical, musical mystery tour of the human mind". And if you're wondering what that might cover, whales, biophilia (aka the tendency of humans to connect with nature and other forms of life) and unrequited love have all been mentioned.
Some of this musing will be set to music, because that's also Bailey's style. It isn't a Bill Bailey show if he isn't showing off his talents with a type of musical instrument or several — be it a guitar, a theremin or anything in-between.
Brian Marks via Wikimedia Commons.
Bailey will be playing Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, but he doesn't just stick to capital cities. So, Geelong, Wollongong, Bunbury, Mandurah, Launceston, Newcastle, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast also have a chance to see him onstage.
And regarding alternating years with Moran, pre-pandemic Moran toured Australia in 2019, while Bailey did the same in 2018. Neither headed this way in 2017, but Bailey did the honours in 2016 and Moran in 2015. Bailey also came this way in 2014 — and while both sat 2013 out, Bailey did 2012 and Moran 2011.
Bill Bailey Thoughtifer Australian Tour 2024:
Thursday, October 24 — Costa Hall, Geelong
Saturday, October 26 — WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Sunday, October 27 — Royal Theatre, Canberra
Wednesday, October 30 — Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
Thursday, October 31 — Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
Saturday, November 2 — Riverside Theatre, Perth
Wednesday, November 6 — AEC Theatre, Adelaide
Saturday, November 9 — Princess Theatre, Launceston
Sunday, November 10 — Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
Wednesday, November 13 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Saturday, November 16 — ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney
Sunday, November 17 — Coliseum Theatre, Sydney
Tuesday, November 19 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Thursday, November 21 — Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Friday, November 22 — Star Theatre, Gold Coast
Saturday, November 23 — Brisbane Convention Centre
Bill Bailey's Thoughtifer tour will make its way around Australia in October–November 2024. For further information and tickets — with presales until 5pm on Monday, May 20 and general sales from 9am on Tuesday, May 21 — head to the tour website.
Top image: Brian Marks via Wikimedia Commons.