Live Music This Week in DSM: Oct. 7 – 12, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Pentagram String Band with Eric McMeyermick, On The Rocks, Anna PS, Duke Oursler, Gimikk and Dan & Quinn Trilk. 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, Oct. 7, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Richie Lee & The Fabulous 50s at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
• Swenson Jazz Duo at Latin King at 5:30 p.m.
• Stu Ryan O'Brien at Magee's Irish Pub & Eatery in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
• Basement Philosophers Society at Greenwood Lounge at 7:30 p.m.
• Pentagram String Band with Eric McMyermick at Lefty’s at 7:30 p.m.; $10
• Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners with Colorado’s on Fire Again, Field Medic at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.; $33.15
• Durry with Gully Boys at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $20 + fees DoS (seating options)

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

• 96 Bitter Beings with The Mendenhall Experiment, More Cheese & TBD at Lefty’s at 6 p.m. (doors); $15 adv. Matt Terronez / Dave Bohl Duo on the patio at Louie’s Wine Dive 6 p.m.
• Damon Dotson on the patio at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Pocket Park in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• The DSM Big Band at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $30, $28, $19, $17 at a table, $15
• Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
• On The Rocks at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

• “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
• Villain of the Story with The Wise Man’s Fear / Execution Day / Divide The Fall / Saving Sidon at Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (doors); $20 adv.
• Anna PS on the patio at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
• Jessie & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Brian Herrin at Board & Batten LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
• Brandon Lake with Franni Cash & Pat Barrett at Casey’s Center at 7 p.m.; $30 to $295
• Nile with Cryptopsy & Cognitive at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $38.83
• The Slats / Polly Mall Cops / Scott Yoder / Toon Smokes at Locals Bar & Stage at 7 p.m.
• DSM Irish Sessions 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.
• Marc Rebillet with CAPYAC at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $49.65
• Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Jordan Beem at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 8 p.m.
• Triple J’s at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.
• Jake Schrodt at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Oct.10, 2025

• Alpine Thunder at Oktoberfest at Klokkenspel Plaza in Pella at 5 p.m. (bring chairs)
• Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace And The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge at 5 p.m.
• Mike Tiedeman at Caffrey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 5 p.m.
• Duke Oursler, Solo 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.
• Johnny Laws, Vince Cline, and Tim Cooper at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• David Watson at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• Nick Hermann at B&B Theaters in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
• Follies: A Night of Broadway with Napoleon Douglas at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
• The Drama Kings at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
• Austin Brown Trio at The Cave at 7 p.m.
• Jesus Christ Taxi Driver / Kensett / Dirty Blonde at Locals Bar & Stage at 7:30 p.m.
• Maddox Batson 45.01 at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
• Jordan Beem at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Will Barnett at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• Day Ashworth at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• Dylan Scott at Vibrant Music Hall, Waukee at 7:30 p.m.; $53 to $106
• Mike T EP Release Party with cdisiac and FlySpace at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $20 + fees DoS (seating options)
• Sara Routh at 6th Ave Listening Room at 8 p.m.; $20
• Bad Friends at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• The Ripoffs at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• Whiskey Bizkit at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Mark Doty & The Cause at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
• The Sheet at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grill in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
• Dylan Bloom at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 8 $10 Tom Buckmiller at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
• Follies: A Night of Broadway with Napoleon Douglas at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
• Dustin Farrow & The Relics at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• Cody Hicks Band at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
• Joe Inman & Co at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

• Lexi Healey, B. John Burns, Mia Prosperi, Lani at Downtown Farmers’ Market in Historic Court District at 7 a.m.
• Madison County Covered Bridges Festival on the courthouse lawn in Winterset
  • The Bird Hunters at 10:15 a.m.
  • Scott Lemon at 11:15 a.m.
  • The Benge Family at Noon Abe Miller Band at 2 p.m.
  • Patricia Holly at 3 p.m.
  • Casey Peasley at 4 p.m.
  • The Other Brothers at 5 p.m.
• Madison County Covered Bridges Festival at the Winterset Cidery
  • Brick Imerman at 1 p.m.
  • Madison County Line at 5 p.m.
• Matt Woods (via the Central Iowa Blues Society) at the West Des Moines Library (in-person) at 2 p.m.
• Gina Gedler at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
• Copperhead at Plain Talk Books & Coffee at 5 p.m.
• The Crowfoot Rakes at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
• The Soul Searchers at Lights and the Fights at Monroe Town Square at 5 p.m. (burgers and hot dogs, bring chairs, Fire Prevention Parade at 7 p.m.)
• Silversonic at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
• Fred Gazzo Quintet at Anna Dolce Ristorante in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Family Reserve Band at Big Rack Brew Haus in Winterset at 6 p.m. (taco truck)
• 319’s Finest, Kensett, Hollow Hearts, NRL CJ at Lefty’s at 6:30 p.m.; $5/$10
• Torch Songs: Laurern Vilmain with Her jazz Orchestra at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $49, $46, $42, $32 at table, $25 bar seat
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Eagle’s Aerie Club 109 at 7 p.m.
• Outlaw Country Express at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
• MFKS at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Brittany Sword Duo at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• The Guilty Pleasures at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 7 p.m.
• Unforgiven at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
• Running Man / Triple Elvis / De Vant at Locals Bar & Stage at 7:30 p.m.
• Thrash of the Titans Anthrax and Slyer Tribute with Superknot – Black Sabbath Tribute at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $25 + fees DoS (seating options)
• Round-A-Bout at Down Under in Clive at 8 p.m.
• Gimikk at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8 p.m.
• Pickleback - Halloween Costume Party at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Jesse & The Medicine Men at Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid at 8 p.m.
• Cardinal Sound at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
• Torch Songs: Laurern Vilmain with Her jazz Orchestra at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $48, $41, $35 , $31, $26 at table, $19 bar seat
• Jeff Banks Band at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• The Kraft Brothers at Nite Hawk Bar & Grill in Slater at 9 p.m.
• King Falcon with Alborn / Dirty Blonde at Lefty’s at 10 p.m.; $12/$15

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025

• Madison County Covered Bridges Festival on the courthouse lawn in Winterset
  • Tutor 3 at 9:45 a.m.
  • B. John Burns at 10:30 a.m.
  • Emma Butterworth at 11:30 a.m.
  • Chris Powell at 12:30 p.m.
  • Kara Christensen at 1:30 p.m.
• Andrew Hoyt at Local Bands, Brews and Bikes at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 1 p.m.
• The Crowfoot Rakes at Captain Roy’s at 2 p.m.
• Steve George & The Dangerous Band at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
• Rural Route Duo at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
• Dan & Quinn Trilk at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm in Cumming at 3 p.m.
• Dave Zollo, Mojo Machine, TBA at Benefit for Steve “Bear” Meldrem cancer expenses at Grinnell Eagles from 3 – 9 p.m.; Freewill donations
• Fight From Within with Resistor, Smile on the Sinner, Thin The Herd, Nyhilist at Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (doors); $17 adv.
• Steve Grismore / Tanner Taylor Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
• Gaylin Sudik & Friends at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
• Bex Marshall at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $20
• KAYKO with Lost Stars at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $25 + fees DoS (seating options)
• Open Jam/Mic at Locals Bar & Stage at 8 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.