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August 11, 2026
By: Amelia Klatt

Live Music This Week in DSM: Aug. 11 – 16, 2026

Don't miss this week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM)! Cheer on a sports team, shop local or visit your favorite attraction or event before or after enjoying the best live music in DSM.

This list is curated week-to-week by local music fan Bryan Farland. Visit The List – Live Music in DSM Area's Facebook page for more information.

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026

  • “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
  • Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
  • Tommy Browder & Country River Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
  • Chris Powell at Beaverdale Farmers’ Market in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • LaRon at Johnston Farmers’ Market in Johnston at 4 p.m.
  • Jeff Stagg at Adel Farmers’ Market in Adel at 4 p.m.
  • Richie Lee at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park in Urbandale at 6:30 p.m.
  • Ratnes with Dickie at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $24.95 (price & fees) (optional seating)
  • Blues Jam at Carl’s Place in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Jazz Night at The Lift in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
  • Mike Aceto at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

  • Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
  • Starlight Trio at Plain Talk Books & Coffee in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • Jake Schrodt at Country Lane Lodge in Adel at 5 p.m.
  • Standing Hampton at Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines at 6 p.m.; $25 (members $15)
  • David Watson at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Dustin Baird on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen & Pub in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • North of Grand & One Can Stan at Cumming Tap in Cumming at 6 p.m.
  • Live Music at Bondurant Farmers’ Market in Bondurant at 6 p.m.
  • Steve Angrisano at Benefit for Mary’s Meals at 1026 N. 8th Ave. in Winterset at 6:30 p.m. (outdoors under tent – bring chairs) (free food); Donations
  • Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Bob Pace at Revel Hotel in Urbandale at 7 p.m.
  • Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • Jason Meyer at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

  • Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines
    • Grandstand
      • Hardy with McCoy Moore at 8 p.m.; $54.40 - $109.40
    • Free
      • Kelsie James at JR’s Southpork Ranch at Noon
      • Zach Freedom at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at Noon
      • Brian Congdon at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
      • The Sheet at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 2 p.m.
      • Lucas Beebe at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 3 p.m.
      • Blake Jack and The South 35 at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
      • Jordan Beem at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 5 p.m.
      • Toaster at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 6 p.m.
      • Dan Mederios at Bud Light Tent at 6 p.m.
      • The Sinclairs at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
      • The Weary Ramblers at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
      • C.H.A.W. at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
      • Tyler Richton & High Bank Boys at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 8 p.m.
      • Garrett Speer at Bud Light Tent at 9 p.m.
  • Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
  • Josh Drummond at Polk City Farmers’ Market on the Square in Polk City at 4 p.m.
  • Matt Woods at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines at 6 p.m. (Los Compadres Food Truck)
  • Casey Joe Collins at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • NOLA Jazz Quartet at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • CeCe Stewart at Chamberlain Pub at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Jesse & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
  • Grain Powered Duo on the rooftop patio at Destination Grille in Grimes at 6 p.m.
  • The Finesse at Music in the Garden at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens in Des Moines at 6:30 p.m.; $14, Seniors $13, children 2-12 $11
  • Rutabaga at Prairie Stomp at Easter Lake North Shore Event Center in Des Moines at 6 p.m. (bring chairs)
  • Suede & Sons of Gladys Kravitz at Tunes at Twilight at The Yard at Johnston Town Center in Johnston at 6:30 p.m.
  • Six Feet Under with Fuming Mouth, Flesher, and Crucifilth at xBk Live in Des Moines at 7 p.m.; $36.99 (price & fees) (optional seating)
  • Open Jam at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
  • Anna p.s. at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy at Dallas Center at 7 p.m.
  • MFKS at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • Triple J’s at Yacht Club in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
  • Luke Thomas at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

  • Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines
    • Grandstand
      • Rod Stewart with Richard Marx at 8 p.m.; $69.40 - $134.40
    • Free
      • Chris Ranallo at JR’s Southpork Ranch at Noon
      • Zach Freedom at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at Noon
      • Brad Siedenfeld at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
      • River City Opry at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 2 p.m.
      • Fat Tuesday at Bud Light Tent at 2 p.m.
      • Haywire at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 4 p.m.
      • Suede at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
      • Blake Jack & South 35 at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 5 p.m.
      • Jordan Beem at Bud Light Tent at 6 p.m.
      • Richard Arndt at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
      • Dave Zollo & the Body Electric at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
      • Roundabout at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 7 p.m.
      • Toaster at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 7 p.m.
      • The Tony B Outfit at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
      • Tyler Richton & High Bank Boys at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 8 p.m.
  • Piano Man Richard Spierenburg on the lower level of the skywalk in the local bites area in Des Moines at 11 a.m.
  • Casey Peasley at Fridays at Middlebrook Farm in Cumming at 4:30 p.m.
  • The Drama Kings at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace and The Dangerous Band at The Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Back to Vinyl at Truman’s Pizza in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Luke Fox at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • David Watson at Caffrey’s Sports Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
  • VanderJazz 4 at Fab Food Fridays at Klokkenspel Plaza in Pella at 5 p.m.
  • 80 Grit at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines at 6 p.m. (Peggy O’s food truck)
  • Dogtown Rythym Band at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • The Juan & Only at Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Barry Rutter at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Ron Burchett at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
  • Casey Joe Collins at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
  • Dick Danger Band at Soggy Frog Marina Bar at Saylorville Lake in Polk City at 6 p.m.
  • JB Williams at Kelly’s Little Nipper in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Kevin Lindgren at Drifters in Bouton at 7 p.m.
  • Robbie Michael at Marv’s Mainstreet Dive in Norwalk at 8 p.m.
  • Steam Boars at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
  • Hattrick at Maingate Bar & Grill in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
  • Mark Doty & The Cause at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026

  • Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines
    • Grandstand
      • The Red Clay Strays with The Bends at 8 p.m.; $54.40 - $109.40
    • Free
      • Blaine Garrett at JR’s Southpork Ranch at Noon
      • Burnin’ Sensation at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at Noon
      • Dueling Pianos at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 12:30 p.m.
      • Josh Sinclair at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
      • The Sheet at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 2 p.m.
      • Fat Tuesday at Bud Light Tent at 2 p.m.
      • Elijah Scott at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 4 p.m.
      • Jake Kemble & Kick at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
      • Jodan Beem at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 5 p.m.
      • Casey Muessignmann at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 6 p.m.
      • Tony Bohnenkamp at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
      • The Flying Silos at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
      • Suede at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 7 p.m.
      • Birdchild at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
      • Tyler Richton & High Bank Boys JR’s Southpork Ranch at 8 p.m.
      • Chris Ferrara at Bud Light Tent at 9 p.m.
  • Dan & Quinn Trilk, Ana and Jocelyn, Annika Wilson, Sarah Ennis, Opus Taylor at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines at 7 a.m.
  • Willi Vanilli at Annie’s Irish Pub in Des Moines at Noon
  • Brody & Cooper at Soggy Frog Marina Bar in Polk City at 2 p.m.
  • Open Mic Jam with The Trickle Tree Hippies at 1833 Saloon in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • Abbie Hullinger at Revelton Distillery in Osceola at 4 p.m.
  • Nick Hermann at 1908 Draught House in Norwalk at 5 p.m.
  • Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Bob Dorr and The Blue Two at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
  • Rob Lumbard at Blues, Brews, & BBQ at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m. (Rocket Fuel BBQ)
  • David Watson at Louie’s at the Lake in Panora at 6 p.m.
  • Microwaved at Locals Bar & Stage in Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Coyote at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
  • Yubu Band at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
  • Gladys Lite at The Soggy Frog Marina Bar in Polk City at 7 p.m.
  • Country River at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
  • The Palmer Squares with The Unique Vibrationz at xBk Live in Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $18.94 (price & fees) (optional seating)
  • Drew Fry at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8 p.m.
  • Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
  • Red Dirt Renegade at Good Times in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
  • Encore Legends at Lakeside Hotel & Casino in Osceola at 8 p.m.
  • Dave Zollo at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 9 p.m.
  • Josh Collins Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

  • Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines
    • Free
      • NOLA Jazz Band with Heartland Swing at JR’s Southpork
      • Ranch at Noon
      • Dave & Anna at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at Noon
      • Elijah Scott at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 1 p.m.
      • Royce Johns Duo at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
      • Emmet Sheehan at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 2 p.m.
      • Fat Tuesday at Bud Light Tent at 2 p.m.
      • Casey Muessignmann at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 3 p.m.
      • Jeni Grouws Band at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
      • Katie & The Honky Tonks at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 5 p.m.
      • Velvet at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 6 p.m.
      • Banda la Enkantadora at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 7 p.m.
      • Ben Puttman at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
      • Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
      • Brad Morgan at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
      • Grupo515 at JR’s Southpork Ranch at 8 p.m.
  • School of Rock West Des Moines Season Preview Show at Captain Roy’s in Des Moines from Noon – 5:20 p.m.
  • Casey Joe & The Foxes at Local Bands, Blues and Brews at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 1 p.m.
  • Jake Schrodt Duo at Soggy Frog Marina Bar in Polk City at 1 p.m.
  • David Watson at Truman’s Pizza in Des Moines at 2 p.m.
  • Dave Zollo & the Body Electric at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
  • Mike Walsh at Louie’s at the Lake in Panora at 2 p.m.
  • Brick Imerman at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
  • Improv & Hard Copies at Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
  • Jared Neal at Greenwood Lounge in Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • Yubu Band at Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop in West Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • Jarod Nelson at Exile Brewing in Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Al Godfredsen at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
  • XOLEX with Bone People at Earlham City Park in Earlham at 6 p.m.
  • Jazz Night at The Contrary in Des Moines at 8 p.m.

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Amelia Klatt

Amelia Klatt is the Director of Events for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Her background working with nonprofit organizations has led to skills as a relationship builder and events professional. Klatt received her MPA from Drake University in 2019.