It is that time of year again –  the trees are budding, the bluebonnets are blooming and some of the funniest comics in the country are about to descend on to Austin for 10 days of comedic performances. 

Every April the Moontower Comedy Fest attracts the funniest, wittiest, and most innovative comedians from around the world for almost two weeks of performances.  While there are a ton of big name comics coming to town – everyone from Andrew Shulz to Amy Sedaris – the festival is a great way to check out comics that hail from the great state of Texas. From witty stand-ups to innovative sketch artists, here’s a closer look at some of Texas’s finest comedians making waves this year:

Bryson Brown

Bryson Brown might be the funniest man in Texas. His laid-back style and smooth delivery of everyday life observations have made him incredibly popular with audiences. He possesses the distinctive talent of packing each joke with more swear words than you think could possibly fit in a sentence before capping it off with an angelic giggle. Originally from Austin, Brown has been cracking up audiences for 15 years. Now in Houston, he performs all over the state. He has opened for Ali Siddiq, DeRay Davis and Adele Givens, is currently on tour with comedy legend Bruce Bruce and will be headlining his own tour “Light Weight but Jokes Heavy” this summer. 

Moontower Comedy Fest Performances: 

• The Hideout (617 Congress Avenue), April 17, 6 p.m.
• Higbie’s (720 Brazos St), April 17, 7 p.m.
• 800 Congress (800 Congress Avenue), April 20, 6:30 p.m.

Roxy Castillo 

Roxy Castillo is a fixture in the Austin comedy scene. Known for her sharp wit and engaging storytelling, she has made significant contributions through stand-up performances, improv, and sketch comedy, showcasing her versatility and unique comedic voice. She is a three time Cap City Comedy Club “Funniest Person in Austin” finalist, a nominee for Austin Chronicle’s “Best Stand Up”, headlines shows across Texas and is a wrestling manager at Inspire Pro Wrestling.

Moontower Comedy Fest Performances: 

• Higbie’s (720 Brazos St), April 17, 7 p.m.
• Parker Jazz Club (117 West 4th Street), April 17, 8:30 p.m.

Avery Moore

Celebrated as the Best Stand Up Comic of 2018 by The Austin Chronicle, Avery Moore is a versatile comedian who has showcased her talent at festivals such as SXSW, The Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival. She was recognized as a New Face at the 2018 Montréal Just For Laughs Festival. Not only has she graced platforms like PBS and Amazon Prime, but she is also one half of the viral duo The McCuewans, Moore recently released her debut album “Avery Moore Live at The Ballroom” through Sure Thing Records, affirming her multifaceted career in comedy and entertainment.

Moontower Comedy Fest Performances:

• The Velv Comedy Lounge (521 East 6th Street), April 18, 7 p.m.
• Antone’s Nightclub (305 East 5th Street), April 18, 8:30 p.m.

Andrew Murphy

Hailing from Austin, Andrew Murphy clinched the title of 2019’s Funniest Person in Austin and has since shared the stage with notable comedians like Theo Vonn, Brian Posehn, and Rob Schneider. Recently spotlighted as one of the New Faces at the Just for Laughs festival in Montréal, Murphy continues to make waves in the comedy scene. In Austin, he’s known for hosting popular events such as Hot Take Olympics and The Joke Of Painting and lends his voice as a co-host to the “Scumberparty” podcast.

Moontower Comedy Fest Performance: 

The Velv Comedy Lounge (521 East 6th Street), April 18, 7 p.m.

Kandace Medina 

Kandace Medina is an Austin-based comedian known for her cleverly risqué humor. She has made a name for herself in the local comedy scene with shows like “Backyard Sluts” and the heckle/roast “Banana Phone” at The Creek and The Cave. Kandace’s stand-up has been a hit at festivals like SXSW and Skankfest, showcasing her ability to entertain alongside comedy greats such as Sean Patton and Amy Miller. Her saucy comedy and successful shows have solidified her status as a beloved figure in Austin’s comedy community.

Moontower Comedy Fest Performance: 

Higbie’s (720 Brazos St), April 17, 7 p.m.

Chris Tellez 

Originally from Dallas but now residing in Austin, Chris Tellez has been spotlighted as one of Comedy Central’s “up next” comics to watch. He has performed at both The Oddball Comedy Festival and Moontower Comedy Festival. His dark, dry wit has won over audiences nationwide aligning him with comedy legends like Nate Bargatze and Bob Saget. He is also the host of the “Why Should We Care?” podcast. 

Moontower Comedy Fest Performance: 

The Velv Comedy Lounge (521 East 6th Street), April 19, 7 p.m.

Joey Z

Based in Austin, comedian and artist Joey Z is known for his acclaimed “Glow Show with Joey Z”. The Glow Show merges a psychedelic atmosphere with interactive comedy featuring party jokes, stories, and vibrant visuals where Joey and top comedians riff on wild experiences amidst glow sticks and laughter. It was a nominee for Austin’s best comedy event in 2022 and 2023. Joey has also performed at Willie Nelson’s Cannabis Convention, opened for SXSW bands and hosts the “Joey Division” podcast. 

Moontower Comedy Fest Performance: 

The Creek and the Cave (611 East 7th Street), April 20, 6 p.m.

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Cover Photo courtesy Moontower Comedy Fest

Jennifer Simonson is a proud 7th generation Texan. She is a travel writer by trade and a lover of the world’s food, cultures, drinks and outdoor spaces by nature.