When Ian Fidance stomps onstage, wild-eyed, unhinged and usually sporting a band tee, there’s an undeniable presence. As he puts it, he’s a “little goblin guy,” a creature who’s been roaming comedy clubs and stages for years, leaving audiences both captivated and wondering just how far he’ll go.
”I came up in punk rock and hardcore,” he says. “My favorite part of going to shows was never knowing what was gonna happen and not knowing if you’re going to make it out alive.”
The Brooklyn-based comic, writer and actor doesn’t shy away from the madness in either comedy or music. He’s a chain-smoking, quick-witted, no-holds-barred force who’s become a known entity in the world of laughter. At his gigs, Fidance often turns to audience members, asking simple questions that snowball into an all-out verbal assault.
“I really try to do it in a way that everyone’s in on it and no one ever feels hurt or insulted,” he explains. “We’re all in on the joke, and the joke is basically me flipping out.”
And flip out he does. Fidance’s energy is manic, his pacing tireless. One moment he’s ad-libbing on random audience answers; the next, he’s spinning off into a completely new tangent full of life experiences, social commentary and self-deprecating jabs that leave his audience in stitches ... but also on edge. His nasally rasp only gets higher and louder as he tumbles into word-twisters that lead to full-on crash outs before he settles back into an affable demeanor that’s all part of the bit.
It’s been a 14-year journey for Fidance, who started in Philadelphia doing stand-up alongside touring comedian Tim Butterly. He later moved to New York City to further his career. These days, his hustle is finally paying off. Fidance’s debut stand-up special, Wild Happy & Free, dropped on YouTube last year, garnering praise. He’s also sold out multiple tour dates and co-hosts a killer podcast with stand-up comic Jordan Jensen.
Between touring 48 weekends out of the year, popping in to guest spot on comedy projects and podcasts, and even jumping on a hardcore band’s track (listen to Going Off’s song “Bound By Blood” to hear Fidance’s vocals), you’d think it’d be enough to knock him on his ass. But he admits he thrives on staying booked and busy.
When asked about the evolution of his crowds over time, Fidance doesn’t mince words.
”I think social media is evil and it’s the devil. … It’s not lost on me that I’m a hypocrite when I say that, because I’m in a narcissistic endeavor of, ‘Hey, everyone, be quiet. Look at me for an hour,’” he says. ”I’ve noticed crowd members try to inject themselves into my act so that they can maybe be in a clip to show their friend. And I’ve noticed in hardcore, people do that as well, where they’ll go onstage to hopefully get a clip of them moshing. It’s like, you’re losing the point. That’s not what this is about.”
There’s a certain purity to seeing an Ian Fidance set live. It’s a shared, wild ride, with no room for unwelcome intrusions. And, as he says, “I give you no choice but to enjoy and have the best time of your life.”
IAN FIDANCE March 14-15, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., $25+. Wiseguys Town Square, wiseguyscomedy.com.
Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!
