A big wheel among UK YouTubers, Daniel Howell is capable of flexing his comedy chops in meatspace as well, and on his world tour that’s what he’ll be doing. It’s titled We’re All Doomed!… and, in its own way, it’s kind of hopeful, he tells Rhiannon Farr.
How are you feeling about embarking on a world tour and what can we expect from it?
Daniel Howell: I am excited. It was an exciting opportunity for me to do a show and entertain people, but it was also a personal cry for help – just give me something to do! I made a show called We’re All Doomed as it’s very stressful these days. I figured if you just do a show that is attempting to be standup comedy about all those terrible things in the entire world, maybe we’ll feel better about it after talking about it and who knows? We might find something to be hopeful for, a reason to look for the future, and think everything’s gonna be okay. If not, then at least we’ll have had one good laugh before we all go up in flames.
Is each show going to be slightly different, or are they all scripted around a similar idea?
Daniel Howell: There’ll be a lot of me having an agenda and needing to get it off my chest. I’ve realised over the years that what I do is give myself therapy and make it entertaining. I do love – as much as I want to get an agenda off my chest – having some moments that allow the audience to be chaotic. The people in Cardiff will be less serious than audiences in London or New York, and I can’t wait to see their reactions to the show.
We all use comedy as a means of coping with mental health. I’m very much guilty of this. But is there an element of catharsis in discussing mental health during a comedy show?
Daniel Howell: 100%. If I were to say the worst, most embarrassing sexual encounter of my whole life, I’m just going to be honest about it. Talking about the things that you’re bottling up inside is important, not only to just get the feelings out of your head and in front of other people to make them less scary but to realise that as humans, we all have the same experiences.
How are you finding performing and touring individually rather than collaboratively?
Daniel Howell: I’ve done festivals and one-off performances, but this is me on a tour bus by myself. In the last few years, I’ve come out as gay, opened up about my mental health, and had spicy opinions on controversial topics. I’ve had people ask what I’ll be talking about on tour, now that I’m unrestrained and unhinged. Everyone should be scared, including me…
Since coming out in 2019, have you found it easier to be honest with your audience?
Daniel Howell: For the most part. If I experience something embarrassing, I have to stand onstage and tell people as quickly as possible so that that second-hand embarrassment absorbs mine. We spend so much time wallowing in silence, and every now and then you just need to rip the plaster off and make some kind of a change in your life. Sometimes it might blow up and go horribly wrong, but at least you take a step forward.
What was the moment for you when you decided that this is what you wanted to do?
Daniel Howell: It was the first time I went on tour. I never realised that the internet was real. I love going on tour because being in a room full of people, knowing that we’re all just having a good night together, is for me, one of the most gratifying things possible, a total escapist moment. That’s why I signed up to do it all around the world for six months.
Daniel Howell, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Mon 19 Sept.
Tickets: £30.50-£58. Info: here
words RHIANNON FARR