This month, we spoke with Xavier Rossey, the founder of English Comedy Brussels, about stand-up comedy and what makes the Brussels scene unique. He shared some tips on getting into stand-up and his experiences opening a comedy show in Brussels compared to other European cities.

Tell us about English Comedy Brussels: What motivated you to create a  comedy club in English in Brussels?

Upon a friend’s recommendation, I organized a one-off show with amateur comedians in late 2011, and the crowd loved it. I knew absolutely nothing about the stand-up comedy world; in fact, the first show I attended was the one I organized. After that, I began putting on events more regularly and rather quickly learned which types of comedians resonated best with an educated audience like the one in Brussels. Word soon spread among comedians and agents abroad, and I was soon able to book most comics from the comedy club scenes in the UK, Ireland, and the rest of Europe. Over the years, I've hosted some fantastic acts in Brussels—even Guy Pratt, the bass player for Pink Floyd and a great showman.

What do comedians say about audiences in Brussels compared to those in other European cities?

They love coming to Brussels, and for some, like Glenn Wool and Christian Schulte-Loh, it's one of their favorite places to perform. They enjoy the international crowd and appreciate that it's an educated audience. This allows them to try material that wouldn’t work in other cities. Conversely, for comedians unfamiliar with our crowd, some of their usual material doesn’t land the same way.

What advice would you give to readers interested in trying stand-up comedy?

There are many open mics in Brussels where you can test your skills. However, there’s one big mistake I often see: many aspiring comedians don’t attend professional shows. They stay in their comfort zone, surrounded by other amateurs. If you want to improve, you need to watch the pros live—not just watch specials on TV. The difference is huge. Sometimes, I book comics from the local scene as openers or MCs, but most of the time, audience members tell me how noticeable the gap is. Crafting a solid 10-minute comedy routine takes hours, days, even months of work, so imagine the dedication it takes to perform multiple shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The good news is that there’s room for everyone, and there’s always a way to improve.