Everything You Need to Know About Daliso Chaponda - Brand new tour, 'Topical Storm', tackles the very timely question of who makes the news. Begins 5th February

Ever feel like the news is just… a bit much? One minute there's a serious headline, the next there's a story about a cat that can play the piano. It's a whirlwind of information, and trying to figure out what's real, what's important, and what's just plain silly can feel like a full-time job. This is the very modern chaos that comedian and satirist Daliso Chaponda is tackling in his brand-new UK tour, Topical Storm. It’s a show that promises to cut through the noise with sharp comedy, asking some big questions about the state of journalism and how we all get our news today.

Who is Daliso Chaponda?

If the name Daliso Chaponda rings a bell, it might be from his unforgettable run to the final of Britain’s Got Talent. His audition went viral, racking up millions of views and making him a household name. But he’s much more than just a talent show star. He's a seasoned comedian who has been making people laugh and think for years. You’ve probably seen him holding his own on shows like QI or performing for royalty on The Royal Variety Performance. He’s also a familiar voice on the radio, with regular appearances on Radio 4’s The Now Show and his very own acclaimed Radio 4 series, Citizen of Nowhere.

More recently, he proved his brainpower by winning an episode of Celebrity Mastermind in January 2025 and took audiences on a thoughtful journey in the BBC Two documentary series Pilgrimage: The Road Through the Alps in April 2025. This is a comedian who is deeply engaged with the world, making him the perfect person to guide an audience through the maze of modern headlines.

What's the deal with 'Topical Storm'?

The new show, Topical Storm, isn't just a collection of jokes about the latest news; it’s a deep-dive into the very idea of news itself. It questions whether the constant reporting of events has become part of the chaos rather than a solution. Think about it: every day we're hit with information from journalists, bloggers, and goodness-knows-who-else on social media. It’s a world of clickbait, hot takes, and outright fake news.

The show explores how clever computer programs, known as algorithms, show us more of what they think we want to see, creating echo chambers where our own views are just bounced back at us. Daliso Chaponda’s comedy unpacks these modern absurdities. He looks at how the lines between serious journalism, entertainment, and personal opinion have become so blurred it’s hard to tell them apart. Topical Storm is about navigating this madness and finding some clarity in a world where everyone seems to have the 'real' story. This is comedy that tackles the big stuff, from the history of journalism to the future of information.

More than just a laugh

While the laughs are guaranteed, a show by Daliso Chaponda often leaves you with something more to chew on. He’s a comedian who believes in the power of comedy to start a dialogue. He once famously made a joke in Malawi about a controversial political issue, sparking a national conversation where there had only been silence. For him, comedy isn't necessarily about changing minds, but it is about opening them up and getting people to talk about things they might usually avoid.

This show is no different. Topical Storm looks at the role all of us play as citizens in this storm of information. It asks what responsibility we have and how comedy can help us make sense of it all. It’s an evening of entertainment that will get you thinking about the headlines and the world behind them, all delivered by a master satirist who isn’t afraid to be provocative. He finds the funny in the chaos, helping to make sense of the endless stream of news.

What are people saying?

Daliso Chaponda is a comedian who consistently earns praise for his smart and bold style. Critics have highlighted his unique ability to find humour in complex subjects, with his performances being both hilarious and thought-provoking.

• “The laughs come thick and fast” - ★★★★ Metro

• “Gets laughs out of topics other comedians shun” - The Guardian

• “Brilliantly bold, thoroughly engaging and provocative” - Wee Review

Tour dates and locations

The Topical Storm tour kicks off in February and runs right through to July, visiting towns and cities across the country. Most of the tickets are available through See Tickets. One of the early stops is right here in Yorkshire, with Daliso Chaponda bringing the show to Bradford on 7th February 2026. Here is the full list of dates:

• Thursday 5th February 2026 – Guildford, G Live

• Saturday 7th February 2026 – Bradford, The Studio

• Sunday 8th February 2026 – Leek, Foxlowe Arts Centre

• Thursday 12th February 2026 – New Milton, Forest Arts Centre

• Friday 13th February 2026 – Shoreham-by-Sea, Ropetackle Arts Centre

• Saturday 14th February 2026 – Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal

• Sunday 15th February 2026 – Leicester, Firebug

• Friday 20th February 2026 – Barton-upon-Humber, The Roperwalk

• Thursday 26th February 2026 – Aldershot, West End Centre

• Friday 27th February 2026 – Birmingham, The Glee Club

• Saturday 28th February 2026 – North Finchley, artsdepot

• Thursday 5th March 2026 – Salisbury, Salisbury Arts Centre

• Friday 6th March 2026 – Chorley, Chorley Theatre

• Saturday 7th March 2026 – Bristol, The Wardrobe Theatre

• Wednesday 11th March 2026 – Sale, Waterside

• Friday 13th March 2026 – Maidenhead, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts

• Saturday 14th March 2026 – Deal, The Astor

• Sunday 22nd March 2026 – Edinburgh, Monkey Barrel Comedy

• Monday 23rd March 2026 – Glasgow, The Stand

• Thursday 9th April 2026 – Mold, Theatr Clwyd

• Saturday 11th April 2026 – Stockton, ARC Stockton

• Wednesday 15th April 2026 – Chipping Norton, Chipping Norton Theatre

• Saturday 18th April 2026 – Blackheath, London, Blackheath Halls

• Sunday 19th April 2026 – Faversham, The Alex

• Friday 24th April 2026 – Hemel Hempstead, The Old Town Hall

• Saturday 28th April 2026 – Ulverston, The Laurel & Hardy Museum

• Wednesday 29th April 2026 – Brighton, Komedia

• Sunday 3rd May 2026 – Newcastle, Huntingdon Hall

• Saturday 9th May 2026 – Southend-on-Sea, The Stand

• Sunday 10th May 2026 – Peterborough, Key Theatre

• Saturday 16th May 2026 – Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn

• Sunday 24th May 2026 – Salford, The Lowry

• Saturday 30th May 2026 – Bedford, The Quarry Theatre

• Tuesday 2nd June 2026 – Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre

• Sunday 7th June 2026 – Leeds, Old Woollen

• Thursday 11th June 2026 – Winchester, The Arc

• Friday 26th June 2026 – Cambridge, Cambridge Junction

• Friday 3rd July 2026 – Oxford, The North Wall Arts Centre

• Wednesday 29th July 2026 – Norwich, Norwich Theatre Playhouse