Live Music This Week in DSM: Aug. 26 – 31, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Alice Cooper, Will Barnett, Nate Nelson, Drew Peer, Robbie Michael and Suede. 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. 26, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Jerry Beauchamp Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
• Big Joe Kinser at Beaverdale Farmers’ Market at 4 p.m.
• B. John Burns' "When Baby Lester Turns 75" Dinner Hour Livestream at 5 p.m.
• NOLA Jazz Trio with Abbie Sawyer at Latin King at 5:30 p.m.
• The Band Spam at Sugar Shack Diner in Altoona at 5:30 p.m.
• River City Opry at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park in Urbandale at 6:30 p.m. (bring a chair, food and drink)
• Attack Attack! with Savage Hands, Versus Me at Wooly's in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $33.15
• Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
• Dan Jones & Friends at Greenwood Lounge at 7:30 p.m.
• Alice Cooper at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 7:30 p.m.; $61 to $171
• Austin Brown Trio at The Lift at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025

• Patricia Holly at Waukee Farmers' Market – Triangle Park in Waukee at 4 p.m.
• Dixieland Jazzers at Biergarten in Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Jason Wells Band at Gray’s Station Paseo in the Gray's Lake Area at 6 p.m. (food truck, bring a chair)
• Will Barnett at Either/Or at 6 p.m.
• Tanner Taylor Organ Trio on the patio at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
• Brian Congdon on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Damon Dotson at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Vicious Rumors with Labyrinth, ResurrectioN MarY & Ill Omen at Lefty’s at 7 p.m. (doors); $20 adv
• Lincoln Grimes at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Robbie Michael at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m. 
• Dennis Kain at Polk City Town Square Farmers' Market at 4:30 p.m.
• Boy Jr. with KOPPS & TBD at Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (doors); $15 adv.
• Phoenix Mendoza & Josh Leo, Kitty Steadman at Benefit for Mary’s Meals at Jasper Winery in the Gray's Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Casey Joe Collins at Biergarten in Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• David Watson at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• The Feel Right at Music in The Junction at Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Nate Nelson at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 6 p.m.
• Jessie & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Jordan Messerole at Treehouses at Twilight – Iowa Arboretum & Gardens in Madrid at 6 p.m.; $30 includes adult drink, adult snacks & beverages
• Bob Pace at Board & Batten LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
• Jackyl at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $38.83
• Gannon Fremin & CCREV with Jeremy Phillips at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $20 + fees DoS (seating options)
• Open Jam with house band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• The Drama Kings at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Josh Sinclair at Bix & Co in West Des Moines at 8:30 p.m.
• Johnny Novacaine at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.
• Jake Kloefkorn at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

• Confluence Brewing Patio Fest
  • Nathan Thiessen Band at 4 p.m.
  • 5 Below at 7 p.m.
• Royce Johns at The Farm at Middlebrook Agrihood in Cumming at 4:30 p.m.
• Day’s Live Music at Klokkenspel Plaza in Pella at 4:30 p.m. (bring chairs)
• Iowa Music Awards Showcase with Tone Da Boss, Coldsaint, Klazik, Entre Luche, Shorty G., Killa Quey, SOE Heartlessz Raiy Banz & Billifox, Tee3aby at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $5/ $10 at door
• BackTo Vinyl 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 Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
• David Simmons at Caffrey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
• Willie James Shay at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro at 5:30 p.m.
• Jazzin’ in the Junction – 360, Lenny Bell at Tallgrass Theater in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• Brittany Sword Duo at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• Phoenix Mendoza at Firepit Fridays at the Cellar Winery in Madrid at 6 p.m.
• Jana West & RetroSpect at Smash Park in West Des Moines at 6:30 p.m.
• David Watson at B&B Theaters in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
• Nick Leo / Zane Gedler / Eric Krieger Trio at The Cave at 7 p.m.
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Drew Peer at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
• Sierra Griggs at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Emmett Sheehan at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 7 p.m.
• Dallas Moore Full Band at Talk Shop Lounge in St. Charles at 7 p.m.; $15, $20 DOS
• Poundgame Addison with The Reasn, OK Naia, True Eddie, Jandrobands, TheZeffsterr, NickWit2Ks at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $15 + fees
• The Place That I Live Album Release Party – clarisse (dsm), B. (Portland), White Flashes (Denver) at The Lift at 8 p.m.
• Stringfield at Locals Bar & Stage at 8 p.m.
• Dick Danger Band at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• Suede at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• Sister Sara at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Brian Congdon at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
• Jake Kemble at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 8 p.m.
• The Other Brothers at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• Scott Kirkhart at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025

• Cucho Madero, Mama Africa, Meadowbrook Circle, L&N Music, The Travelers at DSM Downtown Farmers Market at 7 a.m.
• William Lawson Group at Bluegrass Matinee at Exile Brewing at 11 a.m.
• Confluence Brewing Patio Fest
  • Chip Albright at Noon
  • Trio Aceto at 3:30 p.m.
  • The Sheet at 7 p.m. 
• Rusty’s Weiner Roast - Attacked By Badgers, Shidiots, The Slow Retreat, TV Cop, Motel Pheromones at Lefty’s at 3 p.m. (doors); $15
• Joshua Sinclair at SingleSpeed Brewing at 3:30 p.m.
• Multicultural Festival – Taste of the Junction at Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines
  • Guitarras ATM at 4:30 p.m.
  • Johnny Mancuso Country Singer at 6:15 p.m.
  • The Get Down Band at 8 p.m.
• Allie Crummy at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
• Baberhood Bluegrass Band at Big Rack Brew Haus in Winterset at 5 p.m. (BBQ – General Lee Smoke Shack)
• Stercel Barnes Band at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 5 p.m.
• Fred Gazzo Quintet at Anna Dolce Ristorante in Winterset at 6 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Cutty’s Campground in Grimes at 6 p.m.
• Hot Off The Grill on the patio at Fenders Brewing in Polk City at 6 p.m.
• Royce Johns Duo at Slater Station in Slater at 6 p.m.
• Jeni Grouws at Captain Roys at 6:30 p.m.
• Rick Burke and Bill Matykowski at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
• Palomino at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
• Anthony Orji Trio at The Cave at 7 p.m.
• Yubu Band at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Tony Bohnenkamp on the patio at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• Robbie Michael at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• Jana West & RetroSpect at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
• Matthew Garcia at Uptown Garage Brewing in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• at Big Rack Brew Haus in Winterset at 7 p.m.
• DSM Symphony Pops – Decades: Back to the 80’s at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park at 7:30 p.m.
• Jean Dawson with The Miracle Mile Your, Lecx Stacy at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.; $30.07
• Travesura with Jordy Arndt & The Howlers at Street Style Open After Party at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $15 suggested donation
• Charmaine Lee with Bodiah at xBk Annex at 8 p.m.; $15 DoS + fees
• Astrobrat / The Modern Era / 10 Watt Robot at Locals Bar & Stage at 8 p.m.
• Bad Decisions at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
• Black Diamond Loons at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• 1997 at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Recoil at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 8 p.m.
• Mike Walsh Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025

• Confluence Brewing Patio Fest
  • Seth Jamison at Noon
  • Dhejemke at 3 p.m.
• Bowlful of Blues at Maytag Park in Newton from Noon – 9 p.m.; $25 Advance / $35 at Gate (bring chairs), food trucks
  • Ghost Town Blues Band
  • Mandalyn and The Hunters
  • Sean Chambers & Savoy Brown Rhythm Section
  • Hector Anchondo
  • (Jeni Grouws with Dave Ducharme-Jones between sets)
• Dan Medeiros on the patio at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 1 p.m.
• Geoffrey Jr. at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 2 p.m.
• Other Brothers at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
• Opus Taylor at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2 p.m.
• Neva Alden at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
• Jac Fest: Ramona & The Sometimes / Odd Pets at xBk Live at 3 p.m.; $20 DoS + fees (all proceeds go to Jac) (raffles, limbo contest)
• Brazilian Jam Session with “Choro Moingona” (Robert Espe / Heather Leo / Nick Leo) at The Cave at 3 p.m.
• Dan & Quinn Trilk at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
• Jake Schrodt Duo at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at 4 p.m.
• David Watson on the patio at Exile Brewing at 5 p.m.
• Steve Grismore / Nick Rueckert Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
• Bob Fields & Swingtime at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
• The Lamplighters at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 6 p.m. (food trucks)
• Suede at Saylorville Lake Marina in Polk City at 6 p.m.
• DSM Symphony Pops - Disco Divas: Back to the 70’s at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 7:30 p.m.
• Open Jam/Mic at Locals Bar & Stage at 8 p.m.
• Kevin Lindgren at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 8 p.m.
• Hector Anchondo at Bowlful of Blues After-Party at Murph & Mary’s Pub in Newton at 9:30 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.