Review of Amelia Bayler: Easy Second Album, Fringe 2024

Birdy hightailed it down the Royal Mile to see Amelia Bayler at the Waverley Bar on her first day of the Fringe, where she bagged a seat next to some (mechanical) fans.

This is actually my second time seeing Amelia Bayler at the Edinburgh Fringe, and as I had so much fun last year (read my 2023 review here) there was no way I could resist her 2024 show entitled Easy Second Album.

The venue was quite different to last year’s BlundaBus, with opens windows, traffic noises and… oh dear, well I suppose it wouldn’t be a first day at the Fringe without technical issues! (Ticking that off my Fringe bingo card)

It was a relatively small (but high quality) crowd for Amelia’s first day at the Fringe, with her microphone deciding to die about two minutes before the show started – but that didn’t stop her from delivering a fun show with plenty of laughs and just the right amount of endearing social awkwardness.

Also, she projected so well we didn’t miss the lack of a working mic!

The format

Amelia does a bit of stand-up and audience interaction throughout the show – which this time very was very much focused on relationships, and breakups (as she’d had a recent one of her own) – along with a mix of some of her trademark ‘pop bangers’ as well as new material.

Sadly there were no ‘iconic accessories’ from Amelia this early on in Fringe, but give it a few days and you never know.

The vibe

What’s the vibe? The vibe this time is Amelia once again confidently putting 100% into each song (on a stage with less dancing room than she’s used to), about things like pizza, nut allergies, pastries, tupperware and more. It’s relatable comedy, it’s very silly, and there’s the occasional adult humour – which the audience were very much onboard with.

First day of Fringe, so it was a relatively small-but-supportive crowd, who found themselves singing along to the line of ‘it’s not infected, it’s just healing‘ – but I’m fairly certain it’ll grow each day as things ramp up and the word starts to get around.

The show itself

I always find Amelia’s comedic style so relatable (I have a weird belly button, too), and there’s the occasional moment where she acknowledges a song or joke might not be working for the audience.

No matter, you can’t help but be on her side the whole way through, and she commands the stage so naturally that she also manages to put the audience at ease, with plenty of laughs along the way.

Improv seems to come very easily for this musical comedian, and I was impressed when she managed to fit everyone’s night-time routines into a song – including my anti-ageing cream and TikTok! Even though it might have been a bit tamer than whisky and porn (which apparently had been an answer at one of her evening shows).

My favourite songs were the pizza restaurant song (where Amelia pointed out that she brought back country music before Beyonce did – slay!), Nut Allergy, Tupperware, and of course, the iconic What’s the Vibe?.

Overall

I had a great time at Amelia’s show, and although as one would expect with a show entitled Easy Second Album there was some new songs and material, I was glad she included some of the classics I’d enjoyed from last time, too.

Amelia comfortably and confidently filled the hour-long show with her charm, wit, humour and silliness, whilst getting the entire audience on side. I’m sure she’s going to do well this Fringe, and I’m glad I got to come along and support her on her first show of Fringe 2024.