On a lighter note...

Some of the Comedy Festival's musical acts to explain why tunes are this year's hottest accessory.

DAVID O'DOHERTY IN GROWN UP (Ireland)

Proving the Irish are on the cutting-edge of technology, this smart-talking funnyman is bringing the Yamaha keyboard he was given for his 11th birthday.

"People say, 'Wow, you must have jazz or classical training because that song sounds really weird'.

"No, it's because my brother threw it down the stairs when I was 12 because he hated the sound of it."

For years O'Doherty dreamed of following in his jazz pianist father's footsteps but when dad told him to stop trying to "polish a turd" his career in comedy began.

The Irish stand-up boom in the late 90s saw him gigging with Father Ted's Ardal O'Hanlan and Black Books' Dylan Moran - and it's thanks to Kiwi mates Flight of the Conchords that he's heading our way.

"They say a musical lyric is heightened speech, so it's like talking very slowly. It's helpful when you're doing weird gigs like the farmers markets where they don't necessarily get any of the lyrics."

Dates: May 13 and 16-20, 8.30pm
Venue: Herald Theatre
Bookings: Ticketek

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MRS PEACOCK'S WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT (New Zealand)

Cluedo may have inspired their name but without a decent tune, Mrs Peacock can leave a crowd clueless.

"We've had moments," admits Smith, "where people have said, 'I'm not exactly sure what you were singing about but your music was lovely."'

This year they risk their reputations by performing in the vein of Nickelback and Staind. Which could explain how they won "Most Offensive Gag" at last year's Comedy Guild Awards.

Before that, Smith says they were failed rock stars in a literally laughable band.

"We started writing serious lyrics and they just kept coming out funny. So we thought, let's just go with that, it's what we're good at."

Dates: June 2 and 3, 10pm
Venue: Transmission Room
Bookings: Ticketek

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TRIPOD IN SELF-SAUCING (Australia)

Melbourne trio Tripod like to blow things out of proportion - and this year they're taking the theme seriously.

"We deal with actual issues," says one third of the group, Steven Gates. "Y'know, suicide bombing, all the fun stuff."

While Aussies will recognise them from the TV show Skithouse, there are probably "bored bankers" who will remember their earliest incarnation, a Pink Floyd covers band with a rude name.

In the 10 years since they turned into something "geeky and silly", they've had personal approval from Radiohead to include a cover of Paranoid Android on their DVD, and last year won an Aria for their first studio album.

"The joke doesn't get tired as quick when you sing it," says Gates. "You can be lazy and sit on that one song for years."

Dates: May 23-27 and May 30-June 3, 8.30pm
Venue: Transmission Room
Bookings: Ticketek

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GISH PRESENTS SOLID ROLLED HITS (New Zealand)

Nicknamed by his Wanganui mates for his "biggish" hair, this Billy T nominee likes to change the words to famous tunes and sing them like a real bro.

"My show is an autobiography of the last five years," he says. "It's very punchline-type stuff."

Inspired by Kevin "Bloody" Wilson and Rodney Rude, Gish was keen on a career in music - then he discovered he could make people laugh.

" "I find a punchline in a song and work my way backwards."

Dates: May 24-27, 10pm
Venue: The Classic Studio
Bookings: The Classic

* * *

THE 4 NOELS IN THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN AND THE WILSON DIXON HOUR (New Zealand)

As a third of the 4 Noels, Jesse Griffin performs a physical version of a Hollywood western, complete with love songs, soul - and rap. But as Cripple Creek resident Wilson Dixon in his solo show, it's strictly country.

"His stories are about lost love and family but he plays it very straight, whereas the 4 Noels is very theatrical, physical and pop cultural-referenced."

A violinist who busked through his teenage years, Griffin knows the merits of incorporating music into his comedy routine.

"It can give your show cohesiveness. It's also a great energy-giver. The songs in the show always get great laughs and claps at the end."

4 Noels
Dates: May 30-June 3, 7pm, and June 3, 4pm
Venue: Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre
Bookings: Ticketek

The Wilson Dixon Hour
Dates: May 22-27, May 29-June 3, 8.45pm
Venue: The Classic Studio
Bookings: Ticketek

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THE OUTWITS ARE DOS GRINGOS IN JUAN NIGHT ONLY (New Zealand)

Two Westport boys brought up as Mexicans by a mad New Zealand mum are Dos Gringos.

"If music is the food of love," says Gringo Andie Spargo, "then this is our enchilada to you."

Their show is an interactive affair where the audience is taught opera and Spanish and serenaded with a medley of love songs - with co-star Jared Corbin translating in sign language.

"You have that fourth wall between you and the audience and the music is such a lovely way to break it down."

The Gringos did not train as musicians but added a musical element to their show to give it different edge, even if that can throw up challenges.

"When you're playing a song, you are committed to it to a certain degree. We have a few eyebrow signals: 'Let's get to the end fast'. You need to know your material really is good."

Dates: May 31-June 3, 8.30pm
Venue: Comedy Underground
Bookings: Ticketek

* * *

JEREMY ELWOOD IN ROCK PLUS ROLL (New Zealand)

With A theme deriding the "us versus them mentality", Jeremy Elwood's show sounds a bit, well, heavy.

"But what may seem frightening on the surface is so ridiculous that it's funny," he says.

This year, the award-winning stand-up is returning to his musical comedy roots, which started in a Dunedin tavern in the 80s when he would do a gig after a rugby league match.

"It was quite a tough crowd. You could stand and shout, but if you started playing an instrument people would give you their attention."

An electric guitar will help to get the message across this time.

"With political comedy, you can make points through song that can actually be a lot harder hitting than a soapbox speech. People remember them more clearly."

Dates: May 23-27, 7pm
Venue: Transmission Room
Bookings: Ticketek