Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

It’s a ballsy move for a musical comedian facing that ‘difficult second album’ of show to start with a song called I Got Nothing.

Self-deprecating social media darling Gabbi Bolt is being tough on herself, however, and her sophomore hour offers an entertaining selection of upbeat, witty numbers, winningly performed. 

That opener warns that there’s no politics and not much depth to come, and she stays true to that. Even the obligatory song about anxiety is superficial – but funny thanks to her spirited delivery. Meanwhile, the rest of her repertoire revolves around the likes of pop culture, internet reply guys and working in retail.

For the most part, the numbers aren’t wildly ambitious such as shoehorning as many Andrew Garfield show titles into lyrics about her crush on him. Individually, that’s no problem, as the tunes are jolly and the words are sprightly – plus her semi-nerdy winsomeness goes a long way.

But as the hour progresses, you crave a little more substance or creative flair to sustain your attention. There’s no structure beyond slowing things down for one ballad and a very amusing recurring animated jingle that heckles Bolt while reminding her to take a swig of water. None of this is much of a step up from her debut, I Hope My Keyboard Doesn’t Break, but that won her the best newcomer title at last year’s Sydney Comedy Festival, so still an achievement.

One exception is a jaunty music-hall patter song about the worryingly lax recruitment process for the Australian police, which does throw a little chilli into the candy and suggests she can bring a point of view to her work sometimes.

The lightweight nature of so much of the content might be a product of her age. She laughs when she states that she’s getting reflective about life at the grand old age of 26, knowing how ridiculous that sounds. Similarly, while much of the between-song material is slight, concerning the likes of social media memes, Facebook memories, and a bizarre OnlyFans side hustle, it’s likely to appeal to the like-minded fanbase she’s fostered online.

Bolt’s a solid act, with the musicality, charisma and writing chops to be a great one. Odd Sock is not the show to propel her to the next level, but it’s a bright, congenial hour, technically well-constructed with strong use of eye-catching PowerPoint.

• Gabbi Bolt: Odd Sock is on at the Butterfly Club at 7pm until April 23 (not Mondays)

Review date: 5 Apr 2023
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival