Shirley Gnome: Kiss & Yell

Fringe 2026

Shirley Gnome: Kiss & Yell

Juno nominee, 2024 holdover (Titular Character) and 2025 sell-out sensation (Children: You Can't Beat 'Em!) Shirley Gnome returns with a brand-new hour of gloriously uninhibited music comedy. Her songs fuse razor-sharp wit with infectious melodies, flipping expectations into the joyfully explicit. Pop, country, folk, and indie rock blend together with raucous lyrics that will have you laughing 'til you pee.

★★★★★ "Think Sarah McLachlan meets Ryan Reynolds, a true Canadian double threat."
-Justin Bell, Edmonton Journal

★★★★ “Her songs are like nothing else you will hear... It is a glorious experience and, absolutely not to be missed’” -The Scotsman, Edinburgh

“a joyful rebellion against rigid femininity, constrictive sexuality and what it means to be a ‘lady.’” - She Does The City, Toronto

“magnificent” -Dan Savage (US)

★★★★★
"a profound sense of hilarity... a standing ovation was just not enough." -Onstage Ottawa

★★★★
"Gnome is frank, completely uninhibited, and a smart comedian." -CBC

★★★★ "The Queen troubadour of intelligent black-comic sex balladry” - Edmonton Journal

Beginning her career in 2009, she has released six albums, one EP, and various singles. Gnome has performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Just For Laughs Vancouver, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and more. She has been featured on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, CBC Gem, and SiriusXM. She has also composed original music for Creepy Boys, The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, Larrikin Entertainment, and The Merkin Sisters.

This new hour of tunes includes commentary on kink, group chats, toxic friendships, the Canadian medical system, and the complicated concept known as Fringe-cest (that's because all the performers be doing each other all across Canada). There are also songs about streaming music platforms, reincarnation, women with terrible hygiene, and some other ones she hasn't actually written yet as of the deadline to submit this show description.

Plain Language Description

Juno-nominated musical comedian Shirley Gnome returns with a new comedy and music show. Her songs mix pop, country, folk, and indie rock with funny and unexpected lyrics. The show includes adult humour, storytelling, and songs about relationships, friendship, online culture, health care, sex, and life as a performer.

Shirley Gnome is known for combining strong vocals with comedy that is bold, playful, and sometimes explicit. Audience members can expect live music, jokes, audience laughter, and mature themes throughout the performance.

Shirley has released six albums and one EP, and has performed at comedy and music festivals in Canada and internationally. She has appeared on CBC Radio, CBC Gem, and SiriusXM.