Comedy doesn’t come much more abrasive than the confrontational American Doug Stanhope, whose laser guided cynicism has been unsettling audiences since 1990. Fearlessly provocative with little regard for those of a sensitive disposition, this is a man who was practically hounded out of Ireland for making the joke that priests turn to paedophelia because Irish woman are so ugly and once took ecstasy from a member of the audience in Edinburgh. Stanhope’s raging monologues on  Charlie Brooker’s Screen and News Wipe’s were startlingly hilarious. Don’t get too comfortable because Doug will rip the floor out from under you.

Tue 12 Jun 7pm at The O2 Academy, 16-18 Horse Fair, Birmingham B1 1DB £39.90 academymusicgroup.com