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Live Music This Week in DSM: May 13 – 18, 2025

May 13, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes The Band Spam, Rural Route, Allie Crummy, Bon Jecci, Eliana Grace and Mark Stuart 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, May 13, 2025

B. John Burns' "Full Catalogue" 3-Day Livestream at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Craig Swalwell Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
The Band Spam at Sugar Shack Diner in Altoona at 5:30 p.m.
Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
Jack Van Cleaf with Emma Ogier, Luke Fox at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $18.94, DoS $20
MFKS at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Mike Aceto at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
KALEO with Vincent Lima at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.; $49.65

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

B. John Burns' "Full Catalogue" 3-Day Livestream at 8 a.m.
Deceased / Traffic Death / Toxic Hell at Lefty’s at 5:30 p.m. $15/$20
Luke Fox at DSM BierGarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
Dan Trilk at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
NOLA Jazz Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
Jake Schrodt on the patio at Gilroy’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
David Watson at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 6 p.m.
Willie Mac at Cumming Tap at 6 p.m.
The Funeral Portrait with The Rasmus, Glasswave, Switchblade Saturdays at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $33.15
Mr. Softheart / Blanky / Toon Smokes at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $12 adv/ $15 DoS (seating options)
The DSM Big Band at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $19, at a table $15 bar seat
Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
Rural Route at Tiger Bowl in Madrid at 7 p.m.
Jason Erickson-Reed at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
Adam Klett at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Allie Crummy at Farmers’ Market at Polk City Town Square at 4:30 p.m.
Cindy Grill & Dennis Kain at Blues Under the Blue Roof at the Newton Public Library in Newton at 5 p.m.
Wormrot / No/Mas / Oxygen Destroyer / Rig Time / Moon Summoner at Lefty’s at 5:30 p.m.; $20/$25
Dueling Guitars featuring Brian and Brad at Jasper Winery in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
Ryne Doughty at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
Czech It Out at DSM BierGarten, Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
BitterSweet Nation at Music in The Junction at 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.
Irish Performer Grainne Hunt and Jules Stewart at Board & Batten LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
Jay Webb with Alex Arthur at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $18.94 , $20 + fees DoS (table options)
Pianist Nick Rueckert & Co. at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.
Open Jam with Groove Review at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
DSM Irish Session at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona at 7 p.m.
Luke Fox at Wayward Social in Marshalltown at 7 p.m.
Cindy Grill & Dennis Kain at Murph & Mary’s Pub in Newton at 7 p.m.
Lukas Nelson at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $92 to $143
Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
Sam Pattison at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Jordan Beem with Johnny G. at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Mike Aceto at Bix & Co. in West Des Moines at 8:30 p.m.
Tank Anthony at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, May 16, 2025

Greenbelt Music Festival – Day 1 in Clive — Indoor and outdoor stages; $89 single day, $149 for two days, $229 2-Day VIP
- Outdoor Stage
  - Alleygrass at 3 p.m.
  - Clay Street Unit at 4 p.m.
  - Lissie at 5:30 p.m.
  - Hiss Golden Messenger at 7 p.m.
  - The Devil Makes Three at 8:30 p.m.
- Indoor Stage
  - DJ Nick Nystrom at 2:30 p.m.
  - The Cardinal Sound at 5 p.m.
  - Johny Mullwnnax at 6:30 p.m.
  - Armchair Boogie at 8 p.m.
  - Henhouse Prowlers at 10 p.m.
Sundogs at Midnight / BELLYARD / Wade St. / Luke S. Williams at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $10
Dan Medeiros 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.
JBK at Bevy's Tavern in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Willie James Shay at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro at 5:30 p.m.
Casey Peasley at DSM Hilton – Downtown at 5:30 p.m.
Rural Route at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
Joe Demerath at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
Rob Lumbard at DSM BierGarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Johnny Laws & Vince Cline at Ducktail Lounge in Clive at 6 p.m.
Zachary Freedom at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Ryne Doughty at Firepit Friday at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 6 p.m.
Dan Medeiros at Smash Park in West Des Moines at 6:30 p.m.
Marc Bailey at B&B Theaters in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
Country River Band at Talk Shop Lounge in St. Charles at 6:30 p.m.
Bon Jecci at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
Folliies: A Night of Broadway with Napoleon Douglas at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $59, $42, $36 at line table, $25 bar seat
Willie Shay at Simon’s at 7 p.m.
John Krantz Trio at The Cave at 7 p.m.
JB Williams at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
On The Rocks at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Luke Fox at Pally’s in Clive at 7 p.m.
Nick Hermann at Firetrucker Brewery in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Tyler Folkerts at Reclaimed Rails in Bondurant at 7 p.m.
Dark Star Orchestra at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee at 7:30 p.m.; $67 to $72
Lacuna Coil at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.
Deb Talan at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $25 DoS (+ fees) (seating add on options)
Velvet Trio at Down Under Bar & Grille at 8 p.m.
The Get Gown Band at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
JJ & the Boys at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
A Wolf Among Us at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Damon Dotson at Brick & Ivy Rooftop in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Keith Davis at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grill in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
Kara Christensen at Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid at 8 p.m.
Neil Anders at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
BanjoKat & The Sit-ins, Days Live Music, Naomi Marie, Stormy Rose at Lefty’s at 9 p.m. (Doors); $10
The Unfortunate Sons at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
Red Dirt Renegade at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
After Hours with Carson Parker at Noce in Western Gateway at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Lexi Healey, Ben Sanders, Professor Von Air, Zachary Freedom, The Travelers, Urbandale Community Adult Band at Downtown Farmers’ Market in Historic Court District at 8 a.m.
Eliana Grace on the Courthouse lawn at Madison Co. Farmers’ Market in Winterset at 9:30 a.m.
Indivisible at Annie’s Irish Pub at Noon Greenbelt Music Festival – Day 2 in Clive — Indoor and outdoor stages; $89 single day, $149 for two days, $229 2-Day VIP
- Outdoor Stage
  - Wolfskill & The Wild at 2 p.m.
  - Them Coulee Boys at 3 p.m.
  - Bronwyn Keith-Hynes at 4:15 p.m.
  - Charlie Parr at 5:30 p.m.
  - Shovels & Rope at 7 p.m.
  - Greensky Bluegrass at 8:30 p.m.
- Indoor Stage
  - DJ Nick Nystrom at 1:30 p.m.
  - Flash In A Pan at 3:45 p.m.
  - Buffalo Galaxy at 5 p.m.
  - Mae Simpson at 6:30 p.m.
  - Dig Deep at 8 p.m.
  - The Spooklights at 10 p.m.
Seth Jamison at DSM BierGarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 2 p.m.
Tina Haase-Findlay & Rob Lumbard - Performance with storytelling at West Des Moines Public Library in West Des Moines at 2 p.m.
Half Moon Band at bike night and classic car at Talk Shop Lounge in St. Charles at 2 p.m.
G String Open Jam with your host Cowpunk at 1833 Saloon at 3 p.m.
Display Case / Attacked By Badgers / American Hole Wizard at Lefty’s at 4 p.m. (Doors); $10/$15
MonkeyFour at DSM BierGarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 4 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
Tasty Vibes “Jazz Alley” at The Cave at 5 p.m.
Brittany Sword at 1908 Draught House in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
Christian Connett at 1908 Draught House in Norwalk at 5 p.m.
Jeff Banks Band at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
Scott Kirkhart at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 5 p.m.
Missouri Mule at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
The Listening Room: An Album Release with Brother Trucker at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
David Zollo at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
Anthony Orji Trio inside at The Cave at 7 p.m.
Coyote at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers Jana West & RetroSpect Trio 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.
Luke Fox at 36th St Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Angus Khan (AC/DC Tribute Show) at Camelot Theater in Nevada at 7 p.m.; $15 ADV, $20 DoS
Des Moines Symphony – Pines of Rome at Des Moines Civic Center at 7:30 p.m.; $20 to $80
Ellis Delaney at Progressive Voices Series at 1st Unitarian Church at 7:30 p.m.; $22/$27
Grupo Comando Norteno at Wayward Social in Marshalltown at 7:30 p.m.
Other Brothers at Maggie’s Rumble Room at 8 p.m.
Dick Danger Band at Down Under Bar & Grille at 8 p.m.
Heath Alan at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
BitterSweet at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Lucas Beebe at Murph & Mary’s Pub in Newton at 8 p.m.
Casey Peasley at Lakeside Casino in Osceola at 8 p.m.
Final Mix Show Band at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8:30 p.m.
Cover That at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 9 p.m.
Recoil at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.
After Hours with Anthony Orji at Noce in Western Gateway at 9:30 p.m.
CJ Ryder & The PastMasters at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Orphan Annie Trio at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 2 p.m.
Other Brothers at The Merc’s Anniversary Party at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
Midnight Radio at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2 p.m.
Buckmiller Schwager Trio at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
Brian Congdon at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
Des Moines Symphony – Pines of Rome at Des Moines Civic Center at 2:30 p.m.; $20 to $80
G String Open Jam with your host Cowpunk at 1833 Saloon at 3 p.m.
Dusty Rose Duo at The Bridges – Robert Ray Drive & E Center St. by Japanese structure at 4 p.m.; Bring chairs, food & drink
Yubu Band at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at 4 p.m.
Liv McNair on the patio at Exile Brewing at 5 p.m.
Lauren Vilmain / Nick Rueckert Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
Gaylin Sudik & Friends at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
Deja Blue at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $20
D.R.I 2025 Tour with Authors of Fate at Lefty’s at 6 p.m.; $20/$25
Mark Stuart at Maggie’s Rumble Room at 6 p.m.
Guardin at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $29.55

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.

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.

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