Cactus Cafe

Austin singer-songwriter Daisy O’Connor makes her long-awaited return to the Cactus stage after six years away from live performances this Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. Joined by Leslie Sisson, the songwriter and frontwoman of Moving Panoramas, the evening promises a rare, stripped down look into the raw beginnings of their craft.

While Daisy’s sound has evolved into dynamic folk rock, this acoustic set returns to her early folk roots for a special live recording. Following her is Leslie, whose songwriting serves as a cathartic, open hearted battlefield, shedding layers of the past to make way for a new solo chapter.

Get your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/261001

It’s our last week of music this semester before we take a break until June, so make your plans to spend it at the Cactus Cafe:

Monday: UTalent Showcase
Tuesday: Open Mic Night
Wednesday: Colorado River Authority with Hillcountry
Thursday: Lila and Sofia
Friday: Talking Backwards
Saturday: Songwriter Session with Daisy O’Connor and Leslie Sisson

Come enjoy a full week of live music on campus before we pause for the summer break.

Get your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/

Make midweek plans at the Cactus Cafe on Wednesday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. with Colorado River Authority and Hillcountry, bringing a night of roots-driven Texas sounds to our cozy campus listening room.

Get your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/263952

Turn up your Friday night with Slid, Variety, New Strangers and Trashdog at the Cactus Cafe on Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. Slid returns from a year-and-a-half hiatus with noisy indie rock ready to rip, Variety joins the bill with their own high-energy set, New Strangers brings post-punk shaped by ’80s and ’90s indie, and Trashdog moves from grunge to baroque pop to post-punk, breaking down the drab into something electric.

Get your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/263392

Austin-based, vocal powerhouse Adi Rao brings his “Countryish” sound to the Cactus Cafe on Saturday, April 18, at 7:15 p.m., blending country storytelling with the emotional depth of South Indian classical music alongside a full band. He is joined by indie/pop and Americana/folk artist Kohanna, whose songs feel like postcards from the many places she has called home, performed with her band of friends and collaborators.

Get your tickets today: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/262420

Lemongrass, the Austin-based duo of Sam Hodgson and Taylor Rae, brings their “sour folk” sound to the Cactus Cafe this Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. Inspired by Simon and Garfunkel, The Milk Carton Kids and Chaparelle, their layered harmonies and bittersweet lyrics lean into emotional depth, giving folk a sharper edge and a little more bite.

Get your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/262487

Step into a night where vintage sounds meet timeless songwriting at the Cactus Cafe on Thursday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. Bellingham, Washington duo Best Intentions bring musical saw, melancholy guitar and close harmonies that live where happy meets sad, weaving jazz standards, old blues and classic-sounding originals. They are joined by Central Texas’ Webster’s Ragtime Trio, a throwback string band that highlights the missing link between classic ragtime and early American string-band music, with touches of Tex-Mex fiddle, old-time and Hawaiian steel guitar.

Get your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/263015

This week at the Cactus! We've got some exciting performances from artists featuring, Texas Supports Live Music with Els Flora, Songwriter's Open Mic, Best Intentions with Websters Ragtime Trio, Matthew Payne and Lemongrass!

Get your tickets today for this week's shows: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/

Lyrical and literary, singer-songwriter David Schaefer brings classic folk melodies to life with poetic turns of phrase, vivid imagery and a voice reminiscent of Cat Stevens and David Gray. Inspired by the ’60s folk revival and contemporary writers like Conor Oberst, Gillian Welch, Sam Beam and Adrianne Lenker, he is a mainstay of the Austin songwriting community, with his debut album Beloved released in November 2024.

Catch David Schaefer live at the Cactus Cafe this Saturday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/261000

Texas-rooted singer-songwriter Ally Taylor takes the Cactus Cafe stage Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. Her debut solo album Hold the Line, recorded in Austin in 2024, blends country, Americana and roots rock and has spent more than 40 weeks on the Roots Music Report charts, currently sitting at No. 55 across Country, Americana Country and Texas albums. Known for performances marked by honesty, grit and pure fire grace, Ally brings that energy to the best listening room in Texas.

Buy your tickets now: https://universityoftexasataustin-cactuscafeandbar.thundertix.com/events/261624