Let’s hear it for Josh Weller. In a music industry where success is the obsession, he suffered heroic failure in his quest to be the next Phil Collins, and somehow fashions a way back into the biz with this personal, caustic and genuinely funny show. Weller was signed up to the Universal label (Universal France to be exact), given a 60k advance and was promptly binned within a year once execs heard his expensively produced songs. Based on the promotional material displayed here, the big surprise is that it took them so long.

But now at the wise old age of 37, Weller can look back on a career failure that’s more interesting than most successes. He details the nitty-gritty of a performer’s experience of the music-industry fringes, the dubious practice of ‘hot bagging’ on tour buses, how pay-to-play agreements left him forking out for the even more dubious privilege of opening for Stereophonics, and finding his ideas (allegedly) ripped off by a writing partner.

Weller kicks ass and takes names, opening with a Red Hot Chili Peppers parody that’s worth the price of admission, while his Olivia Rodrigo riff is a well-crafted gem. Offering up anecdotes, musical parody and commentary, he delivers a smart, engaging package that should springboard him especially as he’s about to open for Fred Armisen on tour. On this evidence, Josh Weller is heading for success; of course, that’s not the first time he’s heard that, but time around, it looks like he’ll stick the landing.

Josh Weller: Age Against The Machine, Pleasance Courtyard, until 27 August, 7.10pm.