Moontower Comedy Festival Wraps Its Biggest Year Yet

The Moontower Comedy Festival ended its largest edition to date earlier in May. 150 comics performed at 150 shows across Austin, Texas, over two weeks. Here are the highlights from some of the headliners:

'I Think You Should Leave' Live

Netflix's absurd sketch comedy show, "I Think You Should Leave," took to the stage with creators Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin. The Bass Concert Hall was packed, and Robinson, a Michigan native, received a standing ovation as he followed fellow "Saturday Night Live" alum Brooks Wheelan.

The beauty of their comedy lies in taking mundane, everyday situations and heightening them to epic proportions. Their live show, a small tour, offers outtakes of their Netflix cult hit, with appearances by Patti Harrison, Sam Richardson, and former Austinte Devon Walker of "SNL."

"Why else would they be there?" — Matthew Odam

Nicole Byer

Byer, a 37-year-old comedian and actress, hosted "Wipeout" on TBS and "Nailed It" on Netflix. Her easy warmth and camaraderie shined as she tackled Hollywood's Ozempic craze, gave advice to post-pandemic "new fats," and raunchily imagined Lizzo's Amsterdam escapades. She had the audience in stitches and received a standing ovation.

— Deborah Sengupta Stith

Rachel Bloom

Bloom, a multitalented actress, comedian, writer, and singer, brought her one-woman show to the State Theatre. It was funny, moving, and showcased her exceptional storytelling skills as she confronted death and near-death experiences.

— Kelsey Bradshaw

Margaret Cho

An icon for a reason, Cho's set was delightfully gross and sex-positive, anger-fueled against anti-LGBTQIA and anti-choice legislation, and spot-on in her impressions of her mother.

— K.B.