After working in a record shop in Liverpool for a number of years, Alastair Clark quit to pursue his dream of being a full-time comedian. With many Edinburgh Fringe stints under his belt, he’s now bringing his show On The Record to independent record shops across the country. In London, the venue is Flashback Records — a lovely establishment in the beating, chaotic heart of Shoreditch.
The shop’s basement is a quirky and cosy space (especially cosy on what was a particularly warm day) and armed with a can of Jubel I felt as though I was in a music aficionado’s living room. Clark perfectly matched the intimacy of the setting with his energy; both warm yet self-deprecating, he’s an incredibly engaging performer who immediately made me feel at ease.
On The Record primarily sees Clark reflecting on his experience as a manager in said record shop, from his top three worst customer questions to his unique take on Record Store Day (hint: it involves a genuinely quite good Bob Dylan impression). Some of the more niche references may fly over the heads of people who don’t know The Black Keys from their Black Eyed Peas, but Clark still covers enough common ground to make it relatable and funny for vinyl virgins.
While Clark’s self-deprecation is charming, there’s sometimes a sense he doesn’t completely trust himself with the audience, and there are a few too many mentions of how other audiences have reacted to certain bits of the material. But there’s a lot to love here, and Clark’s comedy is strongest when he’s fully embracing the more surreal aspects of his humour (the aforementioned Dylan impression included). He’s got great timing, and a knack for connecting with the audience. While this was a small venue with a small audience capacity, I could imagine him filling out larger spaces with ease.
Whether you’re a die-hard music fan or just like a good laugh, Alastair Clark’s On The Record makes for a very funny night out, and the novelty of the venue means it’s certainly one you won’t forget in a hurry.
Alastair Clark’s On The Record is touring record shops across the UK until 26th September. Buy tickets at: https://linktr.ee/recordstorecomedytour
Reviewer: Olivia Cox
Reviewed: 1st May 2026
North West End UK Rating: