THORNY ISSUE
Iconic UT Austin cafe tunes up star-studded 45th anniversary celebration

Cactus Cafe is celebrating its 45th birthday with nine blowout shows.
Austin's highways may now be driven by more shiny Teslas than beat-up Volkswagen vans, but one totem of the city's bohemian heyday is still revving up. University of Texas icon the Cactus Café will celebrate its 45th birthday in February.
Few venues have impacted Austin music as significantly as the campus listening room. Since opening in 1979, the 150-seat venue has hosted everyone from cosmic cowboy Townes Van Zandt to '90s radio staple Everything But the Girl. Legendary character actor Harry Dean Stanton once wowed unsuspecting fans there with a flamenco guitar.
Following up on that heritage is no easy feat, but University Unions has partnered with Armadillo World Headquarters for a nine-show series to celebrate the anniversary. In October 2024, the former music venue revived itself as a lifestyle brand and fundraising apparatus.
"Like the Cactus Café in the '80s, the Armadillo World Headquarters was popular with University of Texas students in the '70s and played a key role in the development of Austin's music scene," said Armadillo World Headquarters spokesperson Nick Shuley via a release. "This partnership with Cactus Café celebrates the music, culture, and values that continue to unite us and have defined Austin's creative spirit for generations."
The slate includes student performers, returning headliners, and popular Austin bands making their Cactus Café debut.
Longtime patrons of the intimate venue will undoubtedly recognize some of the headliners. Ray Wylie Hubbard will take the stage for the first time in a decade. And Kevin Russell will play a rare acoustic set sans Shinyribs. Two of the hottest tickets will support California fire relief efforts — a two-date engagement with Grammy-winner David Garza and an evening with Darden Smith.
Buzzy acts like Sir Woman and Next of Kin will fill in the gaps. Guests will also get to discover tomorrow's stars during a set hosted by student-run record label UTalent.
The anniversary celebration takes place February 6-22, with tickets ranging from free to $30. Click here for the complete list of performers and schedule.