Paul Black excited to perform for 'rowdy' Glasgow crowd at SEC Armadillo

Paul Black is getting ready to bring his latest show All Sorts to the SEC Armadillo next month.

The Glasgow-born comedian, 27, says he can’t wait to perform in front of his home crowd after a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

While Paul loves the Capital crowd, he thinks the Armadillo audience will bring a different vibe.

He told What’s On Scotland: “It’s a bit more rowdy, which is good.

“The Armadillo is good because they’re far enough away, and they can be rowdy – but they can’t quite reach you.”

Over the years, the SEC Armadillo has hosted thousands of acts, from the Jackson Five to many a panto with the Krankies.

Paul joked that he has his version of the Krankies with him for All Sorts – his brother Mark and friend Alana, who join him in the sketch/stand-up combo.

Mark, like Paul, is a successful comedian in his own right, so we wondered what it must have been like growing up in the Black household.

A barrel of laughs? Apparently not.

Mark with younger brother Paul Paul Black

Mark said: “We used to schedule fights, so we used to be like ‘mum’s bed, 6pm for a scrap, no pulling hair.’”

The 30-year-old said he was “nervous” to join his brother on stage at the Armadillo, joking that this was mainly due to the pressure their mum put on him.

“She said the other day ‘Hydro or nothing.’ She said, ‘Don’t come back to this house without a Scottish BAFTA!’”

While that Scottish BAFTA may still be in their sights, Paul was nominated for the Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award in 2023.

Janey Godley took the title, but Paul was delighted to be in the running, admitting he could use Billy’s name on his posters from now on.

And like every Glaswegian child, Paul has fond Billy memories thanks to a legendary school trip location.

“That’s quite major isn’t it, ’cause I went to the People’s Palace and looked at his Banana Boots like the rest of us,” he said. “So they’re big banana boots to fill.”

While social media platforms have their pitfalls, they can forge careers – and Paul is well aware of how much he owes his success to his online presence.

Fan favourites include “Pink get doon!”, where he discusses the singer’s obsession with acrobatics at her concerts and his brilliant takes on Scottish mums’ and dads’ rants, which so many of us can relate to.

Paul Black, 27, discusses his career ahead of Armadillo show STV News

Paul said: “Without social media, I wouldn’t have a career. I would be unemployed.”

And what about his critics lurking underneath his posts?

He admitted he and his friends like to compile a list of the ‘best worst’ comments: “My friends like to send me a wee spreadsheet of them and rank them!”

Despite garnering over half a billion views on his work online, he’s also brilliant on stage – as you will see if you’re heading to the Armadillo.

The comedian’s talents don’t end there. He’s written and starred in his own TV programmes and even has a musical in the pipeline. Just don’t ask him what it’s about.

“It’s under wraps for now. Well, I’m saying that cause I’ve not written it but no, it’s in its early stages,” he said.

“I thought that would be fun. And there are musical elements to this show, too.”

Add to the mix Paul’s very funny podcast, Who Agrees, and I think we can all agree that he’s a true Scottish talent, and it’s wonderful to see him on the rise.

Paul Black will perform All Sorts at the SEC Armadillo on Friday, November 22.