Memphis is about to get a whole lot funnier. The Good Vibes Comedy Festival returns April 16–18 for three nights of stand-up at Hi-Tone (282–284 N. Cleveland St.), and this year’s lineup is the strongest yet.
What Is the Good Vibes Comedy Festival?
The Good Vibes Comedy Festival (GVCF) is Memphis’s premier stand-up comedy festival — a three-day celebration built to shine a light on local talent while bringing nationally recognized headliners straight to our city. Now in its 2026 run, the festival has become one of the most exciting events on Memphis’s cultural calendar.
The mission is simple: make Memphis a real destination for comedy. The GVCF exists to prove that you don’t have to travel to New York, Chicago, or Nashville to see world-class stand-up. It’s for the city, by people who love this city.
The history starts with two Memphis comics who decided to stop waiting for someone else to do it. Co-founders Nathan Jaxon and John Andrew Miller built GVCF from the ground up, combining Nathan’s road experience and regional following with John’s deep roots as an event producer and community builder.
- Nathan Jaxon is a Memphis-based road comic and staple of the Southeast comedy circuit, known for his loose, commanding stage presence drawn from personal experience and local culture. He’s also the host of the Big Back Adventures podcast, available on YouTube and Spotify.
- John Andrew Miller is the producer behind Hi-Tone’s beloved Tuesday night open mic — a weekly institution he launched in October 2020 that has become a proving ground for Memphis’s best emerging comics. He also hosts the John and Charlie’s Golden Nonsense podcast and performs at venues across the country.
Together, they’ve built something real — a festival with vision, with community behind it, and with a lineup this year that speaks for itself.
The Lineup
🎤 Thursday, April 16 — Opening Night
Doors at 5:30 PM | Shows begin at 6:30 PM
Thursday kicks off the weekend with two can’t-miss shows:
- 🎙️ Women of Comedy — A dedicated showcase putting Memphis’s funniest women front and center. This is the show to be at on Opening Night. Expect sharp, bold, and hilarious performances from a lineup of women who are ready to own that stage.
- 🌙 Late Night Comedy with Jeremy Scippio — The night caps off with Jeremy Scippio closing things out in style. If you know Jeremy, you already know to stay. If you don’t — Thursday night is your introduction.
🎤 Friday, April 17 — And For What / Next Top Comic
Featuring: Malik B and Steven Briggs
Malik B is an LA-based comedian, actor, and writer originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was discovered by Michael B. Jordan in a boxing gym, which led to an audition for director Ryan Coogler’s 2015 film Creed. From there, he pivoted to stand-up and never looked back. He has millions of followers across social media for his viral sketches, a debut comedy special Who’s Ya Homegirl streaming on Amazon, and has opened for names like Jeff Garlin, David Spade, and Brendan Schaub.
- Viral social media comedian with millions of followers
- Actor in Creed and Burning Sands
- Debut special Who’s Ya Homegirl on Amazon
- Regular at the Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, and Hollywood Improv
Steven Briggs is a Los Angeles-based comedian and actor known for his wild, high-energy sets. He captivates audiences with his dynamic performances, blending hilarious anecdotes, expertly executed sound effects, and lively character portrayals. He’s appeared on shows like Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks and Coming to the Stage, and has headlined for troops overseas in Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, and Italy.
- Appeared on Netflix, MTV, Hulu, and TruTV
- Known for storytelling, sound effects, and beatboxing
- Featured in commercials for ESPN, Google, Mountain Dew, and more
Friday also features Next Top Comic — a competitive showcase where rising comics put everything on the line for a shot at recognition. It’s unpredictable, fierce, and one of the festival’s most electric formats.
🎤 Saturday, April 18 — What’s Your Vibe / Roast Battle
Featuring: Jordan Rock and Dante Chang
Jordan Rock is a comedian and actor from Brooklyn, New York — and yes, he’s the younger brother of Chris Rock, but he’s absolutely earned his place on any stage on his own terms. He’s best known for three seasons on Judd Apatow’s Netflix series Love, and has appeared in Big Time Adolescence starring Pete Davidson, which premiered at Sundance in 2019. He was named one of JFL’s New Faces to Watch at the 2016 Montreal Festival.
- Three seasons on Netflix’s Love (Judd Apatow)
- Appeared in The After Party, Big Time Adolescence, and Last Comic Standing
- Named a New Face to Watch at the 2016 Just for Laughs Montreal Festival
- Mentored by brothers Chris Rock and Tony Rock
Dante Chang, nicknamed “The Black Asian,” is one of comedy’s fastest rising voices. His unique perspective comes from an Asian background with an urban upbringing in Washington D.C., and his obsessive work ethic landed him his first headlining gig within his first six months of doing stand-up. He’s since performed all over the country and built a massive following online.
- Based in LA, raised in Washington D.C.
- One of the fastest rising comedians on the national circuit
- Headlined within six months of starting stand-up
- 113K+ Instagram followers and growing
Saturday also closes out the weekend with a Roast Battle — the most chaotic, crowd-pleasing format in comedy. Two comics, no mercy, and Memphis gets to watch.
Tickets & What to Know
- Tickets available on Eventbrite at goodvibescomedyfestival.com/tickets
- Also available directly at hitonecafe.com
- One-day passes available if you can’t make the full weekend
- Doors open at 5:30 PM each night
- Seating is limited — shows will sell out
- Refunds available up to 7 days before the event
Why You Should Go
Memphis has an incredible comedy scene that doesn’t always get its due. The Good Vibes Comedy Festival is the rare local event that feels as polished as anything you’d find in a major market — and it’s happening right here, at one of our best small venues. Go support two guys who are genuinely building something for this city.
Follow the festival on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads @goodvibescomedyfestival, and subscribe to their newsletter at goodvibescomedyfestival.com.
This blog was written by John A. Miller - GVCF
John Andrew Miller is a stand-up comedian and event producer primarily based in Memphis, Tennessee. He is a central figure in the local comedy scene, known for both his performances and his work building platforms for other comics.
Miller launched this weekly comedy open mic night in October 2020. It is held every Tuesday at the Hi-Tone in Memphis and has become a staple for both veteran comedians and newcomers to practice their craft. He is one-half of the creative team behind this festival and helps produce live comedy events.
In addition to his work in Memphis, he performs stand-up comedy at venues and clubs across the United States.
Miller began his interest in comedy at a young age, attempting his first stand-up set at 17 during a high school talent show. He began pursuing comedy full-time while attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). His approach to the industry is described as both artistic and entrepreneurial, with a focus on raising the standards of the local comedy scene.
