live music

Puppet Palooza ft. Fragile Rock / Cloud Companion / BRUCE (solo)

4.5

Details

Get ready to put some strings on your weekend plans, because Puppet Palooza is taking over Hole in the Wall for a night of felt, fuzz, and full-volume feelings.

Howdy Gals Presents: Puppet Palooza, a delightfully unhinged live music showcase where your plus-one is strongly encouraged to be a puppet. Yes, seriously: bring your own puppet and let it rock out right alongside you.

The lineup is stacked with Austin favorites and theatrical flair:

Fragile Rock – The world’s foremost (and possibly only) emo puppet band, serving up heartbreak, humor, and surprisingly cathartic singalongs, all from behind button eyes and yarn hair.
Cloud Companion – Dreamy indie sounds and atmospheric vibes that make it feel like your puppet just discovered its inner feelings and started a bedroom pop project.
BRUCE (Solo) – Opening the night with an intimate solo set that proves you don’t need a full band to get a room moving. Expect clever songwriting, big emotion, and a perfect tone-setter for the chaos to come.

Doors swing open at 8:00 pm, giving you time to grab a drink, adjust your puppet’s outfit, and scope out the best spot by the stage. The show kicks off at 9:00 pm, with music rolling late into the night as the room fills with choruses, cheers, and probably a few puppets dramatically wailing into the void.

Tickets are wallet-friendly: advance tickets are priced for planners, while day-of tickets are still a steal if you’re more of a last-minute marionette. The event is 21+ only, so don’t forget your ID (your puppet doesn’t need one, but you do).

Behind it all is Howdy Gals, a women and POC-led live music booking and promotion crew committed to building safe, inclusive spaces for everyone. Their code of conduct is clear: no hate, no harassment, no violence, and zero tolerance for verbal or physical abuse. If you experience or see anything out of line, you’re encouraged to reach out to organizers or staff so they can handle it immediately. Good vibes only, or you’re out.

All sales are final and the show goes on rain or shine, so once you snag your ticket you’re locked in for a night of wonderfully weird, joyfully loud, puppet-powered music. After purchase, your ticket lands in your inbox as a handy QR code, ready to be scanned at the door.

If you’ve ever wanted to scream along to emo anthems while a puppet does it with you, this is absolutely your moment. Dress up, get weird, and let your handmade sidekick live its best life at Puppet Palooza.

Venue Details

The Hole in the Wall stands as one of Austin's most legendary music venues, a treasured institution that has been part of the city's cultural fabric since June 15, 1974. This historic dive bar, located across from the University of Texas campus, has become a cornerstone of Austin's renowned live music scene over its nearly 51-year history.

What began as a casual bar opened by Billie Cugini and her son Doug has evolved into an iconic proving ground for musicians of all genres. Its walls are adorned with dusty sports memorabilia, beer signs, and caricature drawings of regular patrons, creating an atmosphere that perfectly captures its authentic dive bar charm.

The venue features two stages with a collective capacity of a couple hundred people, offering live music every night
A separate back section houses pool tables, video games, and a jukebox for patrons
The outdoor beer garden provides a more relaxed space away from the indoor performances

The Hole in the Wall has hosted an impressive roster of musical legends throughout its history, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Townes Van Zandt, Nanci Griffith, and Doug Sahm. It's particularly celebrated for launching the careers of notable acts like Timbuk3, Fastball, Spoon, and Shakey Graves. Despite facing closure several times over the decades, this resilient venue continues to serve as an essential platform for emerging talent while honoring its storied past as a true Austin music landmark.