Live Music This Week in DSM: July 15 – 20, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Apes of the State, Brian Allen, Wade Bowen with Cory Waller & The Wicked Things, Vida Sisters, Suede and Abbie Sawyer 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, July 15, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Company Comin' at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
• B. John Burns' "Superheroes" Dinner Hour Livestream at 5 p.m.
• Apes of the State (acoustic duo) with Myles Bullen & TBD Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (doors); $12 adv
• Jazz In July at Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill
  • CJC Youth Combo outside on the Krantz Stage at 5:30 p.m.
  • Christian Ertl Quartet outside on the Plaza Stage at 6:30 p.m.
• Steve Grismore / 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.
• Tomas Moreland and Quinn Trilk at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• 200 Stab Wounds with Vomit Forth, Weeping, and Skinned Alive at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $25 DoS (seating options)
• Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
• Stark Raving Madge at Nights in the Heights in Colby Park in Windsor Heights at 7 p.m.
• The Nadas at Camp Dodge Pool Pavilion in Johnston at 7 p.m. Bring chairs and coolers, food trucks on site
• Indigo De Souza with Primer at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.; $33.15

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

• Dan Medeiros at Des Moines Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Brian Herrin at Either/Or at 6 p.m.
• Abigail Phelps at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
• Andrew Wittmer / Spencer Paulsen Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
• Joshua Sinclair on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Casey Peasley on the patio at Sully’s Irish Pub in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Brian Allen on the patio at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Robert Deitch Band at Carper Vineyard & Winery in Norwalk at 6 p.m.
• Mule at Cumming Tap in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• Robbie Michael on the patio at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 6 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Pocket Park at Fenders Brewing in Polk City at 6 p.m.
• The Sheet at Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo at 7 p.m.; $25 ($10 members) (21+ event)
• Kelsie James with Sarah Tonin at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $15 DoS + fees (seating options)
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill at 8 p.m. $55 to $95
• Triple J’s at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Lee Klett at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m. Andrew Hoyt at Polk City Town Square Farmers Market at 4:30 p.m.
• Cover That at Beats and Eats at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion in Ankeny at 5 p.m.
• Joe Demerath at Free Stage at Madison Co. Fair in Winterset at 5 p.m.
• Pianopalooza Band at Jasper Winery in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Jordan Messerole at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• Drama Kings at Des Moines Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Bad Friends at Music in The Junction in Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Ponchos Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• The Crowfoot Rakes at Leonard Grimes Memorial Amphitheater in Marshalltown at 6 p.m. (food trucks)
• Flash in a Pan at Music in the Garden at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens in the Historic East Village at 6:30 p.m.; $12 (seniors $11)
• Clarence Tilton / Abbie and The Sawyers / 10 Watt Robot at Lefty’s at 6:30 p.m.; $10
• Dan Medeiros at Board & Batten LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
• Wade Bowen with Cory Waller & The Wicked Things at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $34.18
• Royale Lynn with DAKOTA at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $20 DoS + fees (seating options)
• Kyle Bachara & Co. at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.
• Open Jam with house band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• DSM Irish Session at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona at 7 p.m.
• Outlaw Country Express at Maytag Bowl in Newton at 7 p.m. (Bring chairs and drinks)
• Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Hudson Westbrook with Grant Gilbert, XOLEX at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $102 to $129
• Mac Stanfield trio at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Mike Aceto at Bix & Co. in West Des Moines at 8:30 p.m.
• Drew Fry at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, July 18, 2025

• Ducharme-Jones 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.
• Yubu at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
• Mike Tiedeman at Caffrey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
• Liv McNair, followed by Rural Route Band at Free Stage at Madison Co. Fair in Winterset at 5 p.m.
• Plastic Apartment / Mike Moody & the Outlaws at Rendezvous on Riverview - Riverview Park Stage at 5:30 p.m. (bring chairs)
• Dead Things / Brevity / Such Creatures Exist / BoxTruck at Lefty’s at 5:30 p.m.; $12 ADV/ $15 DOS
• Willie James Shay at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro at 5:30 p.m.
• Encore Legends at 2nd Street Block Party in Perry at 5:30 p.m.
• Black Dirt Ramblers at Live After 5 in West End Park in Marshalltown at 5:30 p.m.
• Vida Sisters at Des Moines Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Luke Fox at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• Emma Butterworth at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
• The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Waukee Arts Festival at Centennial Park in Waukee
  • Dickie at 6 p.m.
  • The Nadas at 8 p.m.
• Corbett Reeves at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• Sips & Songs at The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny
  • Day’s Live Music at 6 p.m.
  • Cody Hicks at 8 p.m.
• PK Mayo Trio at Firepit Fridays at the Cellar Winery in Madrid at 6 p.m.
• Dick Danger Band at Smash Park in West Des Moines at 6:30 p.m.
• Touch of Grey at B&B Theaters in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
• A Night of Classic Country with Gina Gedler featuring Abbie Sawyer at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
• Douglas Pierce Group at The Cave at 7 p.m.
• Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
• Brittany Sword at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
• Michael Moncada at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Casey Peasley at Pally’s Bar & Grille in Clive at 7 p.m.
• Velvet Trio at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 7 p.m.
• Travis Feutz & The Stardust Cowboys / Katie and The Honky Tonks on the patio at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 7 p.m.
• Orphan Annie and the Hot Mess at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• Dog Party / Bat Problem at Locals Bar & Stage at 7:30 p.m.
• Chad Elliott at xBk Annex at 7 p.m.; $15 DoS + fees
• Yubu Band at Annie’s Irish Pub at 8 p.m.
• Standing Hampton at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• The Get Down at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• The Feel Right at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Barry Rutter at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
• Tom Buckmiller at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
• Luke Farland at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 8 p.m.
• Jenny Kohls Band at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• Whiskey Bizkit at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 9 p.m.
• After Hours with Carson Parker at Noce in West Des Moines at 9:30 p.m.
• Boozewa / Worst Impressions / Look At Me at Lefty’s at 10 p.m.; $10
• Lincoln Highway at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 19, 2025

• Ryan Baade, Professor Von Air, Gemma Brice, Jacob Forney, Sharane Calister at the Downtown Farmers’ Market at 7 a.m.
• Waukee Arts Festival at Centennial Park in Waukee
  • Daytime Music Tent
    • Stephanie and Austin Brown at 10 a.m.
    • Emma Butterworth at 11 a.m.
    • The Juan & Only at Noon
    • Jordan Messerole at 1 p.m.
    • Mitchell Walsmith at 2 p.m.
    • Aria and Jocelyn Duo at 3 p.m.
  • Mainstage
    • Dan Medeiros at 5:30 p.m.
    • Lady Revel at 6:45 p.m.
    • Rock A La Carte: Queen Tribute at 8 p.m.
• Indivisible at Annie’s Irish Pub at Noon Tina Haase-Findlay & Rob Lumbard Performance with Storytelling at Des Moines Public Library (Forest Ave.) at 2 p.m.
• Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival at Tower Park (Bring chairs, Do NOT bring alcohol or pets) (food trucks)
  • Central Iowa Music Lab Bluegrass Allstars at the Mainstage at 2:30 p.m.
  • Black Dirt Ramblers at the Side Stage at 3:35 p.m.
  • Songs From The Road band at the Mainstage at 4:15 p.m.
  • Black Dirt Ramblers at the Side Stage at 5:20 p.m.
  • The Weary Ramblers at the Mainstage at 6:05 p.m.
  • The Baberhood Bluegrass Band at the Side Stage at 7:15 p.m.
  • The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys -at the Mainstage at 8:15 p.m.
• Robert Deitch at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
• Taylor King at 1908 Draught House in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
• Dustin Baird at 1908 Draught House in Norwalk at 5 p.m.
• Lani at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
• Looking4Luke at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 5 p.m.
• Corey Jamison at Free Stage at Madison Co. Fair in Winterset at 5 p.m.
• The Host Country at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
• Fred Gazzo Quintet at Anna Dolce Ristorante in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Schoon Brothers at Carlisle Bike Night on School Street in Carlisle at 6 p.m.
• Todd Partridge at 2025 Pella Summer Concert Series at Swan Lake State Park Campground Amphitheater at 6 p.m. (bring a chair)
• Steve Grismore at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
• Suede at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 6:30 p.m.; $5 (bring a chair)
• Emery with Have Mercy & Good Terms at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $33.15
• Scott Eggleston at Brenton Skate/Jam Party at Brenton Skating Plaza at 7 p.m.
• Mark Rushton at xBk Annex at 7 p.m.
• Jazz Vocalist Marisa Cravero at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $59, $49, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
• 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.
• Kevin Lindgren on the patio at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• Richard Arndt on the patio at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 7 p.m.
• Luke Fox at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• Cover That at Nite Hawk Bar & Grill in Slater at 7 p.m.
• The Mesmerists = Album Release with The Bird Hunters, The Sapwoods at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $15 + fees DoS (seating options)
• The BASSberry Jam - 5 Year Anniversary at Lefty’s at 8 p.m.; $20
• Blues Bureau at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Bob Pace & The Power at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Bittersweet Nation at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 8 p.m.
• CeCe Stewart at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 8 p.m.
• After Hours with Anthony Orji at Noce in Western Gateway at 9:30 p.m.
• Simple Company at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, July 20, 2025

• Matthew Garcia at Paws & Pints at Noon
• Abbie Sawyer at Local Bands, Brews & Bikes at Des Moines BierGarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 1 p.m.
• Benefit for Sherrie Irons : Redwing / Jeff Banks Band / Richard Arndt at Lefty’s at 1 p.m.; Freewill donations, raffle
• Brian Congdon at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 2 p.m.
• Steve E. George, Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
• Boomerang at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2 p.m.
• Zachary Freedom at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
• The Sinclairs at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at 4 p.m.
• Jordan Messerole on the patio at Exile Brewing at 5 p.m.
• Steve Grismore / Jason Danielson Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
• Suede at Jordan Creek Town Center Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
• High Society at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $14
• Greg Klyma & Friends at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $20
• Carnifex with Suffocation, Distant, Bodybox, Monochromatic Black at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 6 p.m.; $38.83
• The Feel Right at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Mae Simpson with Yubu at Levitt AMP Earlham Music Series at Earlham City Park in Earlham at 6 p.m.
• 40 Watt Sun and Serpentent with Dan Hutchison + Matt Jesson at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $20 + fees DoS
• Air Supply at Des Moines Civic Center at 7:30 p.m.; $89.50, $99.50
• Elazy / Bodiah / Dr. Koba at The Lift at 7:30 p.m.
• Burton Cummings of the Guess Who at Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill 8 p.m. $69 to $128

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.