Comedy mixtape: Hilarious night of Kiwi laughter, banter and unforgettable moments

From Keyshia Cole flops to deadpan punchlines, Joe Daymond’s hand-picked lineup delivered a sharp, diverse showcase of Kiwi comedy that had the crowd in stitches, even on a Wednesday.

If laughter is the best medicine, Daymond has dished out the dose that leaves you gasping for air.

After battling midweek Auckland traffic from Southside, I made it to Q Theatre just in time to meet my best friend and settle into our seats for the 6.30pm show.

The crowd was lively, the vibe was chill, and while it was not sold out, the house was packed. It felt more like a Friday night than a Wednesday.

That Friday night feeling kicked in when Daymond took the stage, making his entrance to an R&B classic that set the tone, even if not everyone appreciated it. He came out to Keyshia Cole’s Love, and while I was belting out “Loooooove” with my best friend and one other Islander, the mostly pākehā crowd remained silent.

The flop was hilarious, and Daymond rolled with it, asking for the lights to come up and ad-libbing on the moment. It was a sign of things to come; even when the crowd missed a beat, he didn’t.

Randy Sjafrie, a radio host, DJ, and content creator, kept things moving on the decks, transitioning music between comedians. Daymond’s crowd work was sharp.

He joked about how full the theatre was for a Wednesday night, teased the pākehā audience for missing the 6pm news, and bantered with attendees about their job titles and who looked wealthy.

When someone mentioned they worked in “environmental monitoring”, he misheard it as “foliage” and ran with it, saying, “The job’s too smart for me.” That bit stuck with me for the rest of the night.

Those spontaneous moments summed up Daymond’s style - relatable and rooted in the everyday quirks of Auckland life. His humour hit hardest when he discussed random topics like weird flatmates, passive-aggressive neighbours, and the grind of working life.

I don’t even know what environmental monitoring is, so I laughed at his assumption: “You look out the window… yeah, still there. Sweet babe, I’m off to work.”

Daymond hosted the mixtape, and the line-up he curated brought its own punch. Seven comedians, each with a distinct voice, kept the energy flowing and the laughs rolling.

I didn’t know any of them going in, but left glad I came, especially thanks to the guy from Whangārei sitting in front of me. He laughed so hard he looked ready to fall out of his seat, and his unfiltered joy was contagious.

Ninja shot of Joe Daymond thanking the crowd for coming out as no recording of the show was allowed. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

No topic was off-limits, from sex and drugs to racial identity and generational tensions. The show served up crass, fearless, and unapologetically Kiwi humour. What stood out was how each comedian blended personal stories with funny punchlines. Whether they were Chinese, white, Pacific, Indian, or anywhere in between, every comic brought their own flavour and rhythm.

I especially appreciated the deadpan humour - those moments when someone delivered a ridiculous line with a straight face, making it hit even harder. Each act held its own, drawing you into its stories, setting the hook, and landing on the mark.

The verdict

Joe Daymond’s Comedy Mixtape was exactly what you need on a Wednesday night: a sharp, hilarious blend of storytelling, social commentary, and cultural wit. The whole show ran just over 70 minutes, but I would have happily sat for two hours more. If this is the quality on offer at this year’s NZ Comedy Festival, I am all in.

Paul Douglas, Opeti Vaka, Liv McKenzie, Angella Dravid, Tim O’Leary, Henry Yan, Courtney Dawson, and Sean Collier each brought something engaging to the stage. Without giving too much away, they all deserve recognition, and I’m glad they are finally getting their flowers.

Daymond says the mixtape was about sharing the stage with longtime friends - comedians who have been hustling for nearly a decade in rough venues - and getting to perform together to packed houses, saying, “Not everybody gets the privilege and the pleasure of being able to do it.”

He added, “The only favour I ask you is live entertainment, and the arts needs you. And we’re very, very grateful to have you here.”

Daymond thanked the crowd for showing up, saying he was grateful, even if this was the only show they attended, and even more so if they continued to support live comedy.

Final score: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
(Fire emojis inspired by Courtney Dawson’s hilarious bit on how Gen Z flirts - “fire emoji, fire emoji, fire emoji, fire emoji.”)

If you get the chance, go. Support these acts. And it wouldn’t hurt to learn the lyrics to Keyshia Cole’s Love.