More Moontower
Chris Distefano and more on final lineup for Austin's Moontower Comedy fest

Chris Distefano is added to the Moontower Comedy Festival lineup for 2025.
Austin's sprawling Moontower Comedy Festival has made its final lineup announcement for 2025. New performers this round include Chris Distefano, Janelle James, Mae Martin, and more.
The two-week festival from April 9-19 will feature more than 100 comedians in different venues. Already on this year's lineup are John Waters, Aziz Ansari, Adam Ray, Tig Notaro, and many more. The acts are split up into headliners and club performers, and there are lots of headliners thanks to the 12 participating venues.
A release announcing the final names promises styles ranging "from stand-up and musical comedy to sketch, clowns, magic and beyond."
Headliners added in this round include:
- Chris Distefano, host of the podcasts Chrissy Chaos and Hey Babe!
- Alex Edelman, Special Tony Award and Emmy Award winner for the Broadway show Just for Us
- Janelle James, school principal Ava Coleman on Abbott Elementary
- Mae Martin, stand-up comedian and creator of Feel Good; Martin's Handsome Pod with Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster is also on the schedule separately
- Joey “Coco” Diaz, bestselling author of Tremendous: The Life of a Comedy Savage, adding a performance with his “f’d up friends”
- Pauly Shore, 90s comedy film star from Son in Law and Encino Man
- K. Trevor Wilson, Squirrely Dan in Letterkenny
- Aparna Nancherla, stand-up comedian and author of Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Imposter Syndrome
- Grace O'Malley, host of the podcast Disgraceful
- Fern Brady, host of the podcast What A Combo!
There are also plenty of local performers on the lineup. That and the full schedule are now available online.
Badge holders will be able to enter all club shows, while headliner shows require separate tickets (with badge holder priority). Headliner presales run from February 11-13 for badge holders, and begin February 14 for general sales. Badges start at $150.

DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri