In 2003 there was war in Sudan and, by 2004 the conflict had escalated and had been declared a humanitarian crisis.

Comedian Jason Byrne organised a fundraiser on August 29^th 2004 at the Edinburgh Festival. Held at midnight at the old Art Deco Cinema, Pod Deco, which had a capacity of about 1,200. The venue was briefly used by the Fringe in 2004 – see here, and this was possibly the last gig held there.

The fundraiser was called Jason Byrne and Friends and was in aid of Oxfam’s Sudan appeal.

This article in Herald Scotland listed the comics below as being part of the “14 top comics”.

1. Jason Byrne
2. Jimmy Carr
3. Ed Byrne
4. Stewart Lee
5. David O’Doherty
6. Mackenzie Crook

The British Newspaper Archives have an August 27^th article which also listed more names. As this was before the gig, we can’t be 100% sure as to whether they made it to the stage. Especially as these 2 articles are the only mentions that I can find of the event.

1. Adam Hills
2. Lee Mack
3. Colin Murphy
4. Eddie Bannon
5. Brendan Dempsey
6. Ian Coppinger

Still only brings us to 12 names…

That article also mentioned that Christian Slater was considering joining them. Slater was in town appearing in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest alongside Crook, Dempsey and Coppinger.

The Edinburgh Festival that year ran from August 8^th to 30^th, which was why everyone was available. Jimmy was previewing his Public Display of Affection tour with 6 shows at the EICC (here).