The opening weekend of the 61st Edinburgh Fringe Festival and some things never change. The crowds are out in force, as ever outnumbered by the plethora of eager-beaver performers thrusting flyers at tourists on the rainy Royal Mile. And, as has also become a tradition in recent years, Phil Nichol, 2006's if.comedy Award winner, is back with another rollercoaster ride of a show.

If Hiro Worship does not top last year's turbo-charged tale, which culminated in the sweaty Canadian body-surfing naked over the audience as he recounted his experience of being chased by skinheads in Amsterdam when high on magic mushrooms, it is a pretty serviceable sequel.

Once again the Fringe favourite is in extended anecdote mode, this time recalling a close encounter with an obsessive Japanese Rolling Stones enthusiast.

This gifted comedian has a sublime way of appearing manic and distracted yet actually delivering a remarkably controlled piece of narrative comedy.

While Hiro Worship centres on the Nichol's unconventional paternalistic relationship with this Jagger-phile and the question of when fandom turns into stalking, it takes welcome comedic detours to explore the raconteur's own messy love life, his theatrical past and his passion for Norwegian trip hop.

The result is never as compellingly crazed as his prize-winning set, but it is a joke-peppered treat with a cute sting in the tale.

A couple of flaws: if you do not like the Rolling Stones, the musical interludes may feel like padding. And sensitive souls might find Nichol's feverish cod-oriental impressions ("Okaaay, London!!!") on the wrong side of Benny Hill. There is no denying that this is a performance of considerable power by one of stand-up's most full-on funnymen.

• Until 27 August (www.edfringe.com).