Live Music This Week in DSM: Aug. 12 – 17, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Paper Wheel, Pierre Bensusan, Kinda Petty Band, Andelyn Sunderman, Crystal Blue, Jonas Magram and Iowa State Fair acts at live music venues across the region. Check them out at restaurants and nightlife businesses while grabbing a bite or enjoying a cocktail. And don’t forget to connect through other things to do, too. 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. 12, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Dale Menning & the Stardusters at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
• Nathan Thiessen at Beaverdale Farmers’ Market at 4 p.m.
• Paper Wheel at Adel Farmers’ Market in Adel at 4 p.m.
• B. John Burns' "John Goes to the Fair" Livestream at 5 p.m.
• John Krantz / Randy Ward Duo at Latin King at 5:30 p.m.
• The Band Spam at Sugar Shack Diner in Altoona at 5:30 p.m.
• Carter Guse at Tunes in the Trees at Iowa Arboretum in Madrid at 6 p.m.
• The Burroughs with The Finesse at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $20 + fees DoS (seating options)
• Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
• Zane Gedler / Abram Miller / Michael Gedden at Jazz Night at The Lift at 8 p.m.
• Mike Aceto at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.

Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (Tuesday)

• Casey Peasley at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at Noon
• Mark Joseph at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 12:30 p.m.
• The Decoy Duo at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
• Back to Vinyl at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 1:30 p.m.
• Emma Storm at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 2 p.m.
• Brad Morgan at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
• Royce Johns at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 6 p.m.
• Bradley Seidenfeld at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 5 p.m.
• The Sheet at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 6:30 p.m.
• Brian Herrin & Brian Schwager at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
• Jake McVey at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
• Herman’s Hermits at Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 7 and at 9 p.m.
• Rascal Flatts with Neal McCoy at Grandstand at 8 p.m.; $54 to $109
• C.H.A.W. at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
• Damon Dotson Band at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 8 p.m.
• Drew Baldridge at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 8 p.m.
• Electric Avenue at Mid-American Energy Stage at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025

• Luke Fox at Biergarten in Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Taylor King at Either/Or at 6 p.m.
• TBD at Stuffed Olive in the Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
• Andy Classen / Tanner Taylor Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
• Dustin Baird on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• David Watson at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Hillbilly Airshow at Attivo Trail in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Nini Iris at Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo at 7 p.m.; $25 ($10 members) (21+ event)
• Pierre Bensusan at xBk Annex at 7 p.m.; $27 + fees DoS
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
• Will Barnett at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (Wednesday)

• Joshua Sinclair at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at Noon
• Nicholas David at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 12:30 p.m.
• Brian Congdon at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
• Blake Jack & South 35 at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 2 p.m.
• The Other Brothers at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
• Saints & Sinners at Pioneer Hall at 4:30 p.m.
• River City Opry at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 5 p.m.
• Justin Elliott & Aaron Ely Duo at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 6 p.m.
• Jordan Beem at Bud Tent at 6 p.m.
• Mark Joseph & The American Soul at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 6:30 p.m.
• Dan Medeiros at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
• Scott Kirkhart at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
• Herman’s Hermits at Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Hairball at Grandstand at 8 p.m.; $24 to $34
• Gimikk at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
• Grupo515 at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 8 p.m.
• Tanner Adell at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 8 p.m.
• Allie Colleen at Mid-American Energy Stage at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Dang Felton at Polk City Town Square Farmers’ Market in Polk City at 4:30 p.m.
• Infernal Instinct / Chronophaze / Project 10-44 at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $10/$15
• Dan Medeiros at Biergarten in Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Tom Pevear at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• Kinda Petty Band at Music in The Junction in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Jessie & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Kris Karr at Destination Grill Rooftop in Grimes at 6 p.m.
• TBD on the patio at TrailSide Tap in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• Kenni Falls at Board & Batten LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
• Trombonist & Composer Levi Temple & Co. at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.
• DSM Irish Session Open Jam at Ironside Axe Club in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Open Jam with house band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Dan Tedesco at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• TBD at Bix & Co. in West Des Moines at 8:30 p.m.
• Triple J’s at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.
• Adam Klett at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (Thursday)

• B. John Burns at Mid-American Energy Stage at 9 a.m.
• Monica Austin at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at Noon
• Nicholas David at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 12:30 p.m.
• Major Blues and the Mugshots at Mid-American Energy Stage at 1 p.m.
• Scott Kirkhart at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
• Tropical Steel at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 1:30 p.m.
• Liv McNair at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 2 p.m.
• Emmet Sheehan at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 2:30 p.m.
• Suede at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
• Josh Holland at Bud Tent at 4 p.m.
• Katdaddy 55 at Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 4 p.m.
• Tyler Anthony at Bud Tent at 6 p.m.
• Fahrenheit at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 6 p.m.
• Jordan Beem at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 5 p.m.
• Mark Joseph & The American Soul at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 6:30 p.m.
• Lucas Beebe at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
• The Sinclairs at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
• Def Leppard with Phil X & The drills at Grandstand at 8 p.m.; $69 to $134
• Damon Dotson at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
• Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 8 p.m.
• William Clark Green at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 8 p.m.
• The Pork Tornadoes at Mid-American Energy Stage at 8 p.m.
• Joe Stamm Band at Bud Tent at 9 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 15, 2025

• Brian Herrin at The Farm at Middlebrook Agrihood in Cumming at 4:30 p.m.
• Andelyn Sunderman at Klokkenspel Plaza in Pella at 4:30 p.m.
• Get Off My Lawn at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 5 p.m.
• Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace And The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge at 5 p.m.
• Taylor King at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 5 p.m.
• Emotional Damage with Fall Out Boy, The Exceptions, On Your Left, Paramore, MYLZ Drums, Hookshot, New Found Glory at Lefty’s at 5:30 p.m.; $10
• Houston Fry at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
• Chris Evers at Caffrey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
• Willie James Shay at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro at 5:30 p.m.
• Silversonic at Biergarten in Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Abigail Phelps at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• Black Dirt Ramblers at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
• BitterSweet Nation at Beaverdale VFW Bike Night at 6 p.m.
• The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Meadowbrook Circle at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• The Damnations with Matt Woods at Firepit Fridays at the Cellar Winery in Madrid at 6 p.m.
• Jones & Owens Trio at Smash Park in West Des Moines at 6:30 p.m.
• Erek Wright at B&B Theaters in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
• Atomic Rooster at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
• Rudy Wylde at xBk Annex at 7 p.m.
• Jane Monheit at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $54 at table, $36 bar seat
• Zane Gedler / Jason Danielson / Miles Roche at The Cave at 7 p.m.
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Whiskey Biscuit at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
• Mason Hatch at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Bradford Johnson at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 7 p.m.
• Velvet Trio at Annie’s Irish Pub at 8 p.m.
• Toast3r at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 8 p.m. (food truck)
• Night Like This at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Paul Little at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
• Hillbilly Airshow at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 8 p.m.
• Ben Clark at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 8 p.m.; $20
• Die Sexual / Sultry Hustler at Locals Bar & Stage at 8:30 p.m.
• Jane Monheit at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $72, $65, $62, $54 at table, $36 bar seat
• Live Performance Friday at Lefty’s at 9 p.m. (taco truck)
• Sugar Valley at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• Bad Billy Pratt Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.
• After Hours with Carson Parker at Noce in Western Gateway at 10:30 p.m.

Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (Friday)

• Day’s Live Music at Mid-American Energy Stage at 9 a.m.
• Dry Run Creek at Mid-American Energy Stage at 11 a.m.
• Paris Springer at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at Noon
• Nicholas David at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 12:30 p.m.
• Tony Bohnenkamp at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
• blueeyeddaze and Friends at Mid-American Energy Stage at 1 p.m.
• Duel Piano at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 1 p.m.
• Jake Schrodt at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 2 p.m.
• Royce Johns Duo at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 3 p.m.
• Blake Jack & South 35 at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
• The Lew & Brad Band at Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 4 p.m.
• Lucas Beebe at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 6 p.m.
• The Sheet at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 5 p.m.
• Mark Joseph & The American Soul at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 6:30 p.m.
• Robbie Michael at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
• Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
• Hank Williams Jr. with Old Crow Medicine Show at Grandstand at 8 p.m.; $54-$99
• Rebel Queens at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
• Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 8 p.m.
• Brett Cobb at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 8 p.m.
• Not Quite Brothers at Mid-American Energy Stage at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025

• Will Hatchet, Al Sinatra, The Mike Walsh Band, Gemma Brice, L & N Music at Downtown Farmers’ Market in Historic Court District at 7 a.m.
• Jake Schrodt at Annie’s Irish Pub at Noon
• Heath Alan Blues With a Healing Livestream at VA Central Iowa Health Care System at 2 p.m.
• Brian Herrin at 1908 Draught House in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
• Trevor Rau at 1908 Draught House in Norwalk at 5 p.m.
• Kevin Best at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
• Velvet Trio at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 5 p.m.
• The Other Brothers at Captain Roy's at 6 p.m.
• Fred Gazzo Quintet at Anna Dolce Ristorante in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Michael Schoonover on the patio at Fenders Brewing in Polk City at 6 p.m.
• Scott Kirkhart at Pella Summer Concert Series at Swan Lake State Park Campground Amphitheater in Pella at 6 p.m. (food available) (bring chairs)
• Paul Cauthen at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $33.15
• Bouquet - EP Release Show with Sundance, Careful Gaze, Kensett at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $15 DoS + fees
• Napoleon Douglas Sings Nat King Cole with His Band at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $59, $49, $42, $36 at a table, $25 bar seat
• Coyote at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
• Fast Dolly at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Kevin Lindgren on the patio at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• Crystal Blue at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
• Drew Fry at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• The BASSberry Jam at Lefty’s at 8 p.m.; $20
• Heath Alan at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Blanket Fort at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
• Bad Decisions at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Neil Hewitt at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 8 p.m.
• After Hours with Anthony Orji at Noce in Western Gateway at 9:30 p.m.
• Kick at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (Saturday)

• Robbie Michael at Stockman’s Inn at 11 a.m.
• Blaine Garrett at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at Noon
• Burnin’ Sensations at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 12:30 p.m.
• The Sheet at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
• Fat Tuesday & the Greasefire Horns at Bud Tent at 2 p.m.
• John-Paul Jones Group - Band at Mid-American Energy Stage at 2:30 p.m.
• Owen Justice at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 2:30 p.m.
• Casey Muessigmann at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 3 p.m.
• Bad Friends at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
• Sierra Griggs at Bud Tent at 4 p.m.
• Small Town Superheroes at Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 4 p.m.
• Julia Cole at Bud tent at 6 p.m.
• River City Opry at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 5 p.m.
• Haywire at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 6:30 p.m.
• Jordan Beem at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
• Mike Moody & The Outlaws at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 7 p.m.
• The Flying Silos at Stockman’s Inn at 7 p.m.
• T-Pain with charlieonafriday at Grandstand at 8 p.m.; $44 - $74
• Sons of Gladys Kravitz at Jalapeno Pete’s at 8 p.m.
• Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 8 p.m.
• Drake White at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 8 p.m.
• Jason Brown at Mid-American Energy Stage at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025

• Joshua Sinclair at Tuddy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at Noon
• Night Like This at Local Bands, Brews & Bikes at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 1 p.m.
• Jake Beaty on the patio at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 1 p.m.
• Velvet Trio at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 2 p.m.
• The Soul Searchers at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2 p.m.
• Corey Jamison at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
• Dan & Quinn Trilk at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
• Dusty Rose Band at The Bridge (by oriental gardens) at 4 p.m. (bring chairs, drinks, snacks)
• John Krantz Trio (with Ward & Eklof) at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
• Sentimental Swing at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
• Big Al and the Heavyweights at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $20
• Jonas Magram on the patio at Exile Brewing at 5:30 p.m.
• Jordan Messerole with Brian Schwager at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 6 p.m. (food trucks)
• Stuck Lucky / The Uncollectables / Americature at Lefty’s at 6:30 p.m.; $10
• Black Stone Cherry with Tim Montana, Gallivant at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7:30 p.m.; $40.89

Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (Sunday)

• Double Barrel Band at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 10 a.m.
• Emma Butterworth at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 11:30 a.m.
• Java Jews at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at Noon
• OneFourRising at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at Noon
• Haywire at Jalapeno Pete’s at 1 p.m.
• The Sheet at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 1:30 p.m.
• Blake Jack & South 35 at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 2 p.m.
• Orphan Annie at Bubbly Bar & Bistro at 2 p.m.
• Tony Bohnenkamp & Brad Seidenfeld at Jalapeno Pete’s at 4 p.m.
• Casey Muessigmann at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery at 4 p.m.
• Grupo515 at JR’s SouthPork Ranch at 4:30 p.m.
• KIDZ BOP LIVE at Grandstand at 6 p.m.; $29-$44
• Brian Congdon at Iowa Craft Beer Tent at 7 p.m.
• Journey from the Heart at Mid-American Energy Stage at 7 p.m.
• Rebecca ST. James at Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 7 p.m.
• Redferrin at Susan Knapp Amphitheater at 7 p.m.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.