Grant Lyon Brings Roaring Laughter

This wasn't Lyon's first trip to Concord, and if audience reaction is any indication, it won't be his last. 
Photo courtesy of grantlyon.com

On Tuesday, April 14, Grant Lyon performed at Subway Sides. His performance lasted from 9:00 P.M to 10:00 P.M. Overall, his act was quite enjoyable. Lyon had a very laid back, relaxed stage presence, and the jokes came fast. His brand of humor was drier than the driest of martinis, and his method of movement had this nervous awkwardness about it, as if he were excited to tell you something funny. It was rather impressive that he was able to look awkward but relaxed at the same time. 

Grant Lyon is not new to the comedic scene. According to his website Grantlyon.com, he began his career in the San Francisco comedy scene. A former collegiate soccer player, Grant abandoned the field for the stage. He won the Laughing Skull Festival in 2014, beating out all other competitors from across the country. Afterwards, he was chosen as a New Face in comedy at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. He wrote and starred in a short film called Internet Date, which in 2013 was eligible for the Academy Award for best Short Film. He’s also been a contributor for The Huffington Post, appeared on the Bob and Tom Radio Show, and he has been featured on multiple national television commercials.He has also performed at the Great American Comedy Festival, Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival, and the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, and has also performed on the TV show Comics Unleashed. On top of all of this, he has also opened for Dana Carvey of Saturday Night Live fame, as well as the late, great Robin Williams. 

His reputation for comedy was well-earned. In addition to his dry humor, he touched upon several important political issues. Themes ranging from criminal activity to workout schedules to wanting kids and even to gay marriage were touched upon, and all were presented in a mostly tasteful and entertaining fashion. Surprisingly enough, though there was quite a lot of word banter that was amusing, there was also a twinge of darkness from some of his jokes. However, this darkness came and went, and simply better served his delivery in the long run. 

Besides his delivery, Lyon also delivered the laughs as he interacted with the audience. He said that even though he is on the stage, he could hear each and every word that the audience said. He asked a young woman sitting up front her name, and she became dreadfully shy, hiding her face behind a bedsheet. Lyon, ever quick to pounce on a joke when he sees one, exclaimed “Oh no, a ghost!” This brought about a great deal of laughter from the audience. After all of that, though, he did reassure the woman that it was all in good fun and that he did not mean anything by it. A funny comedian that is receptive to their audience is something that absolutely needs to be applauded. 

Subway sides was practically empty when Grant Lyon took the stage. However, as the hour went on, and his jokes became heard all across the Student Center, the place miraculously began to fill up. With his unique brand of dry, awkward, and surprisingly dark humor. Grant Lyon proved to be a success. If he had been given a better time slot than 9:00 P.M, then he may have had an even better chance to draw a crowd. At any rate, he was rather enjoyable, and judging by the reaction he got from students that did show up to his routine, his returning would not be remiss.