Comedian Matt Rife returns to Charlotte with jokes about the city
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Comedian Matt Rife Rife is known for his crowd work during his shows. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Comedian Matt Rife loves Charlotte, but that didn't stop him from finding a few things to joke about ahead of his upcoming show this summer.
Why it matters: Rife credits Charlotte's Comedy Zone as one of the first clubs to give him a shot, and says the city has remained one of his favorite stops ever since.
- "I've been performing there since I was about 16 and I've never had anything less than fun. That was one of the first clubs to really let me come in. Not every city you go to brings the same energy that Charlotte does," Rife told Axios.
Driving the news: Rife brings his "Stay Golden" world tour to Spectrum Center on Sunday, June 28.
- The upcoming show is expected to be story-driven, with personal stories, some crowd work and apparently even a little roasting of the city.
Catch up quick: The last time Rife performed in Charlotte, he filmed his Netflix special "Lucid" at The Comedy Zone.
- The experience also introduced him to some unforgettable locals, many of whom later appeared in clips that went viral online.
- "I got to really sit down and meet the people of Charlotte. It was all surprising, from mothers and daughters running online sex courses together, you know, pot smoking breakups live at the show, to Black dudes wearing curled cowboy boots. At this point I've learned to not be shocked by anything to come out of Charlotte." Rife said.
We asked Rife what makes Charlotte stand out from the cities he visits each year. Here's what caught his attention:
Charlotte's vibe
Rife says this city is one of the few places that feels both polished and chaotic.
What he's saying: "Charlotte is so clean, but so ratchet at the same time," he said. "It's the perfect blend of like everybody. It's so hard to explain to people who don't live there, but people who live there, I think you're gonna understand what I'm saying. You guys have a little bit of everything and that's what I like about the city."
Wildly unexpected traffic
Rife thinks the traffic math isn't math-ing.
What he's saying: "If an Uber is a 10-minute drive away, tell your friends they'll be there in a half an hour. Sometimes there's not even traffic. There's no construction, there's no accidents, people are just not going."
- "Charlotte's traffic slogan should just be, 'At least we're not Atlanta.'"
Ideal first dates
His vision of dating in the area starts at Waffle House and goes downhill from there.
What he's saying: "I imagine there's just a bevy of romantic Waffle House options to take a girl to for a first date. Just don't get into a car accident on the way there, and don't take her to a gas station for food. I think the bar is pretty low."
Local sports fans go-to outfit
As a huge Hornets fan, particularly one of LaMelo Ball, he says he can immediately spot fans in his crowd.
What he's saying: "You'll get a guy who really dressed up and put on his best Hornets jersey and his AND1 gym shorts. I know that's like a Charlotte tuxedo."
Transplant advice
He also has a message for newcomers that starts as a joke and ends with a plea.
What he's saying: "Charlotte's full — go back, the traffic is bad enough."
- He later got serious, "Don't move to a city that you wanted to move to for a better life and bring your old life with it. Let Charlotte impress you."
What's next: Tickets to his upcoming show start at $59. Rife also has a movie coming out this October with Owen Wilson called "Rolling Loud."
- "If you don't get to come see me live, at least come see me in theaters this fall," said Rife.